The Australian Defence Force has partnered with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to trial new ways of monitoring and understanding activity in Earth’s orbit.

Using UNSW Canberra Space’s Viper telescope, the project is exploring how ground-based optical sensors can strengthen Australia’s space domain awareness (SDA) capability.

Deputy Director Space Domain Awareness Wing Commander Alexander Cave said the trial helped Defence explore how automated tasking and analysis could improve future SDA operations.

“This trial with UNSW Canberra is helping us better understand how ground-based optical sensors can contribute to Australia’s space domain awareness capability and support future operational requirements,” Wing Commander Cave said.

As space becomes increasingly critical to modern life, maintaining awareness of the tens of thousands of objects orbiting Earth is essential. These objects, including active satellites and space debris, can affect the reliability and availability of space-based services relied upon by governments, industry and the broader community.

“Space underpins many of the services that Australians rely on every day, and maintaining awareness of activities in orbit is becoming increasingly important to Defence and our partners,” Wing Commander Cave said.

Enhancing Australia’s understanding of the space domain helps safeguard these services and supports the long-term sustainability of ADF and allied space operations.

Space domain awareness is the ability to detect, track and identify objects and activities in space.

'This trial with UNSW Canberra is helping us better understand how ground-based optical sensors can contribute to Australia’s space domain awareness capability and support future operational requirements.'

Through the trial, Defence is examining the operational and support requirements needed for the network of sensors collecting information on objects in Earth’s orbit that may pose a hazard to other space users.

A key objective of the trial is to explore how Defence can directly task and control a space surveillance sensor.

While many space-tracking services rely on commercially provided data, the ability to directly request observations and collect information will provide valuable insights into how priority objects can be monitored in support of integrated force requirements.

The trial is also examining the role of automation in sensor tasking and data analysis.

Increased automation could potentially improve operational availability and responsiveness, enabling sensors to be rapidly retasked as priorities change. This will help ensure information on objects of interest can be collected in a timely manner to support Defence operations.

“By working closely with Australian researchers and industry, we are building the knowledge needed to develop resilient and sovereign space surveillance capabilities for the future,” Wing Commander Cave said.

Through its partnership with UNSW Canberra, Defence is gaining valuable insights into the use of ground-based optical sensors for SDA.

The trial will help inform future approaches to sensor tasking, automation and the operation of space surveillance networks, contributing to the development of Australia’s sovereign SDA capability.