Industry Focus
Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell at the Micro Nano Research Facility, located in RMIT University’s Melbourne campus.
Launching Australia into the global space race Caroline Tung interviewed researchers at RMIT to find out more about a prototype being developed in Australia that could help determine if humans can settle on the Moon.
A
TEAM of researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne have joined the great space race with a pioneering invention. And, they are on the way to putting Australia on the world map in space manufacturing. The protype device, called MAPrad, is one tenth the size of existing ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems, which allows those using it to see more than 100 metres below ground level, almost twice as deep compared to existing technology. The aim is to send the device into space to identify minerals, ice deposits, or voids such as lava tubes on the moon that can support potential human settlement. Start-up CD3D has now received a grant from the Australian Space
20 SEPTEMBER 2021 Manufacturers’ Monthly
Agency’s Moon to Mars initiative to further develop the prototype with RMIT, including testing it by mapping one of Earth’s largest accessible systems of lava tubes. CD3D CEO and RMIT Honorary Professor, James Macnae, said their unique geophysical sensor had several advantages that made it more suitable for space missions. “MAPrad is smaller, lighter and uses no more power than existing ground penetrating radar devices, and yet, can see up to hundreds of metres below the surface, which is around twice as deep as existing technology,” he said. “It is able to achieve this improved performance, even after being shrunken to a hand-held size, because it operates in a different frequency range by using the magnetic rather
than the electric component of electromagnetic waves.” The magnetic waves emitted and detected by the device measure conductivity and electromagnetic wave reflections to identify what lies underground. Voids and waterice provide strong reflections, while various metals have high conductivity at unique levels. “MAPrad’s initial development was specifically focused on facilitating drone surveys for mining applications, but it has obvious applications in space where size and weight are at a premium, so that’s where we’re now focusing our efforts,” Macnae said. The multi-stage project is currently a feasibility study. The researchers will then seek to validate whether the structure will survive
the launch. The next phase is to prepare the device for deployment. The researchers will also seek approval to scan one of the world’s largest accessible systems of lava tubes at the Undara caves in Far North Queensland. The tubes have diameters of up to 20 metres and some are several hundred metres in length. The specialised radar system was developed in partnership with Canadian company, International Groundradar Consulting, in a collaborative research project funded through the AMIRA Global network. Successful field tests have since been carried out in Australia and Canada using a backpacked prototype for mining and mineral prospecting. manmonthly.com.au
