From New Mexico to Exmouth: Space surveillance telescope reaches crucial milestone

Australia and its allies now have greater awareness of artificial objects orbiting Earth with the Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) reaching Final Operational Capability (FOC). 

Defence and the US agreed to relocate the SST from New Mexico to Exmouth, Western Australia in 2013, as part of efforts to enhance coalition space domain awareness capability and improve coverage in the region. 

Chief of Space and Cyber, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM, said space capabilities underpinned the Australian Defence Force’s warfighting effectiveness and assured Australia had continuous open access to space. 

“Locating the Space Surveillance Telescope in Western Australia provides unique space domain awareness coverage for Australia and our allies, filling a Space Surveillance Network gap over our region,” LTGEN Coyle said.

“The SST will enable us to work closely with US Space Force to detect, track, catalogue and identify objects in geostationary orbit, as well as predict and avoid potential collisions.” 

The FOC of the SST signifies the completion of a development effort and the point where a system is fully operational and ready for widespread use.

Head Space and Cyber Capabilities, Rear Admiral Andrew Quinn, said the SST had undergone a rigorous test and evaluation program to assess its performance as a space domain awareness sensor.

“A critical component to the SST reaching FOC was the establishment of a $17 million mirror recoating facility, co-located with the telescope,” RADM Quinn said.

“The Mirror Recoating Facility, built by Australian industry, will allow Defence to maintain and recoat the SST mirrors on site, keeping it at peak performance throughout its operational life.”

Defence coordinated the development of critical support facilities through domestic and international industry partners, including Tiwi Partners, a joint venture between the Tiwi Land Council, Tiwi Island Regional Council and Sitzler Pty Ltd. 

Media note

Media can access imagery at: http://images.defence.gov.au/s20201547 

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