4 minute read
CubeSatPlus 2023: Paving the way for small-sat technology advancements in Australia
By Rozaine Wijekularatne Industry Liaison Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER), University of NSW
In the vast expanse of space, innovation knows no bounds. Pushing the boundaries of what's possible, CubeSatPlus 2023 in Sydney was for two days the epicentre of cuttingedge advanc ements in small-sat technology and “New Space” in Australia.
CubeSatPlus, an annual event organised by the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER) at the prestigious University of New South Wales (UNSW), serves as a vital platform for brilliant minds in the space industry. Scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts gathered to exchange ideas, showcase their innovations, and engage in thought-provoking discussions related to small-sat technology. This year's theme, "Mission Assurance," led to captivating presentations and panel discussions exploring various aspects of the theme.
The event commenced with compelling keynote speeches from renowned entities, Argotec, Astroscale, and Deloitte Space, setting the stage for the immersive workshop proceedings. Participants dived into sessions covering missions (research and defence), launch and a very insightful panel discussion on supply chain. As the curtains closed on the first day, the evening networking event (sponsored by SmartSatCRC) offered a perfect opportunity to unwind at The Lounge, situated on the 11th floor of the iconic UNSW Library building, providing attendees with a breathtaking view of Sydney's night lights while fostering meaningful connections and discussions.
The second day of the workshop was filled with key sessions always included as technical discussions of missions (commercial), facilities, and payloads. These aspects of the sector remain strong despite recent defunding of space by the Federal Government. Consistent with previous workshops, the panels were focussed on problems currently experienced by practitioners in the sector. This year’s panel on Mission Assurance, the finale of the event, did justice in exploring what that meant for the future of the space ecosystem.
The event attracted over a hundred attendees over the two days, drawn by its reputation as an essential event in the space industry calendar. Scholarships provided by HEO Robotics enabled 10 students from all across Australia to travel and learn about the state of the art in the sector and meet the people making these exciting missions happen. The cubesat technology showcase, courtesy of InvestmentNSW and SmartSatCRC was a demonstration of current progress of payloads and missions and a testament to the momentum of this burgeoning industry.
CubeSatPlus 2023 was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Investment NSW, SmartSatCRC, HEO Robotics, Microchip, GPC Electronics, Australian Space Agency, Dandelions, and Amatek Design. The event received media coverage from our esteemed media partner, MySecurityMedia, further elevating its impact on the space community.
As CubeSatPlus 2023 concluded, the commitment and passion exhibited by participants and sponsors alike affirmed the steadfast progress and unwavering dedication to shaping the future of small-sat technology and space exploration in Australia. As we look back on the resounding success of this extraordinary event, the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER) is already eagerly paving the way for an even more remarkable future edition.
The importance of the event to the sector and the role it has played in developing “Space 2.0” activities were highlighted in an interview with Prof Andrew Dempster for this magazine.
Held at the UNSW Kensington Campus, Sydney, Australia on the 5th and 6th of July, the workshop brings together a diverse group of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs from around the country to share and discuss the remarkable progress of the Australian CubeSat community and the impressive growth it has achieved in a relatively short time.
Today, Australia’s rapid advancement sees more CubeSats in development than have previously been launched from sovereign ground, a testament to the hard work and dedication of community members!
The program includes missions, payloads, launch, infrastructure, access to space and more. This year’s workshop also includes new sessions on Mission Assurance, Supply Chain and Businesses “spinning in” to space as well.
The next event on the ACSER calendar is the Off-Earth Mining Forum proudly supported by Fleet held for the first time in Perth on August 22.
