CSIROSat-1 pilot Cubesat to launch in 2020 with funding from CSIRO, a grant from the Science and Industry Endowment Fund and industry partners.

The CSIRO’s first Cubesat will be a nanosatellite made up of three cubes, equipped with an infrared imaging sensor — the first Australian satellite with such a payload.

The project is a pilot, aimed at stimulating development of technology to support further high-end manufacturing, data processing and imaging capabilities in Australia, while being capable of collecting data to complement the collection capabalities of NovaSAR-1.

Dr. Larry Marshall, CSIRO Chief Executive and Trustee of the Science and Industry Endowment Fund, said that the tiny satellite and the infrastructure to support it would level-up Australian science capability.

“Innovation happens at the intersection of people and disciplines – CSIRO’s strategy is to drive a deeper sharing of our world class infrastructure with the entire system,” Dr Marshall said.

“Space itself is big and Australia is comparatively small – we have to work together to make our mark as a nation.”

The build partner on the project is South Australia-based startup Innovor Technologies, with other research partners and collaborators including the University of New South Wales – Canberra, the Australian National University, and Defence Science and Technology Group.

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