The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is partnering with Southern Launch to develop long-range imaging capability to gather high-quality, high-resolution data and images of rocket launches at their launch facilities. The partnership is the latest iLAuNCH Trailblazer project.
An iLAuNCH Trailblazer statement says Australia’s aerospace industry currently has limited long-range imaging capability with tracking done over radar, which ultimately means Australia’s launches have not had the same high-quality imagery capture as international launches.
Launch providers require data and imagery on the launch vehicle and its trajectory from lift off, ignition, to fairing and payload separation and finally achieving orbit. While Australia is developing a commercial launch industry, having access to quality shareable imagery on launch is essential to support this growth.
The Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Trailblazer is an AUD180 million Australian Government program to accelerate Australia’s space capability through the commercialisation of projects, a fast-track accelerator, and skills development .
“Using UniSQ’s expertise in imaging launch vehicles, re-entry capsules and hypersonic flight, we expect to see live imagery of rocket launches from Southern Launch facilities in South Australia in the next year,” said iLAuNCH Chief Technology Officer Joni Sytsma.
UniSQ will undertake research over the next three years to develop the capability to track and triangulate rockets and high-speed tests at Southern Launch ranges.
“We are excited at the prospect of providing scientific data to Southern Launch to assist with operational safety and evaluation purposes and a future potential service offering to their customers,” said University of Southern Queensland’s Associate Professor Fabian Zander. “The project will develop imaging systems, along with the tracking and data fusion systems that permits us to follow the rocket on the way up, allowing us to capture exceptional quality video and imagery. This imagery can be used for publicity purposes, or in the event of an incident, provide important information for analysis.”
There will be a minimum of one imaging opportunity per year to enable the subsystems to be tested and validated throughout the project, until 2027.
“We welcome this iLAuNCH Trailblazer project with UniSQ,” said Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp. “The project will support our team to track objects launching or returning to the Koonibba Test Range or the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex which is vital to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for our customers. We also look forward to being able to share high-quality video and images with the general public of the missions that take place at the range.”
