The agreement aims to foster innovative research into space-based infrared instruments, with SITAEL Australia and IPAS will to leverage multi-aperture infrared sensors with intelligent processing to deliver low-cost, high-resolution thermal imagery.

The partnership forms part of the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat CRC), set up to enhance Australia’s sovereign space capability through the development of intelligent satellite systems and Earth observation data services.

“We are taking an innovative pathway to the collection of thermal imagery from space, combining the small satellite and infrared instrument knowledge of SITAEL, with the unique expertise and capabilities in sensing from IPAS,” executive director and general manager of SITAEL Australia Mark Ramsey said.

Associate professor Martin O’Connor, Defence Technologies Theme Leader at IPAS, said the partnership aligns to the commercial outcomes focus of the project by connecting technological development with end-user application.

He said the one-and-a-half-year project would have applications across defence and surveillance, water monitoring, fire monitoring and agriculture.

“Innovative space-based thermal imagers will be used for wide-area, bushfire early warning and tracking,” O’Connor added.

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“Algorithms will interpret data in real time to help immediately pin point fires in areas obscured by smoke.”

Other applications are expected to include checking inland and coastal water quality and monitoring industrial energy use and its effect on climate change.

Ultimately, the research aims to support a transition to problem-centric operations in the infrared domain.

Professor Andy Koronios, CEO of the SmartSat CRC, welcomed the new collaboration.  

“We are pleased to see the strong co-operation between our industry and academic partners, to develop next-generation Earth observation technologies, creating economic value through innovation,” Koronios said.

[Related: US Space Force establishes final command]

Charbel Kadib

Author

News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.

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