Te Pūnaha Ātea Auckland Space Institute A multi-faculty Space Science and Engineering initiative at the University of Auckland.
Projects and partners
As New Zealand starts to define its place in the fast-growing international space sector, we are ensuring that researchers and students are equipped with the knowledge to participate in an industry that will have a strong impact on our technological, economic and social future.
Synthetic Aperture Radar technology development This project is developing the underlying science and technology needed to provide New Zealand with an overhead monitoring capability using space-based assets. Our academic staff have research funding from the Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenge to develop novel miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) hardware and software for small satellites.
The Institute is committed to expanding our innovative capacities to the frontiers of space.
Key capabilities Satellite systems hardware The Institute is developing space satellite missions to service New Zealand’s strategic scientific and economic goals. We combine commercial off-the-shelf componentry along with our own hardware and software solutions. Our focus is on systems that increase the capabilities and usefulness of nano-satellite platforms, such as CubeSats.
observations and the Institute has worldleading expertise in conducting wide-field survey observations, image and time series data analysis. We also have deep expertise in investigating life in extreme conditions and the origins of life on Earth.
Data analysis and utilisation
Leadership and commercialisation
We are using space-based instruments (private, public domain and commercial) to support research (e.g. marine mammals tracking), industry (microforecasting and resource monitoring) and government (fisheries surveillance) and space situational awareness.
As a hub for a growing space industry, the Institute is managing connections with local and international partners, and is becoming a trusted source of advice and services for government, industry, start-ups and the media. Geographical and collaborative linkages with key commercial partners including New Zealand’s launch provider, Rocket Lab, provide a strong foundation from which to translate research and innovation to develop space systems capability.
Astronomy and astrobiology research New Zealand is uniquely located to perform time-critical astronomical
A growing research group involves collaboration with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Australian National University (ANU) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
In collaboration with
Plasma micro-propulsion technology development We are working with collaborators at the Space Physics, Plasma and Propulsion Laboratory at the Australian National Laboratory (ANU) and Stanford University, USA to develop and test novel miniature satellite electric propulsion systems. Our work includes improving the Technology Readiness Level of ANU’s Pocket Rocket to enable the first space flight of the propulsion system in a CubeSat. In conjunction with this work, we are investigating optimal flight trajectories for low delta-v thrust systems to enable interplanetary exploration with small satellites. Materials Science for sample return The Institute is leveraging existing national expertise in light-metals technology to develop new materials for ablation and thermal insulation, to enable satellite sample return missions. We are also developing micro-fluidics devices for chemical and biological processing in low Earth orbit. Deployable structure research Along with our commercial and academic collaborators, our team is developing reliable, lightweight and strong deployable structures, suitable for use on small, CubeSat scale satellites. Our current research projects include the creation of a mechanism to deploy a high gain reflectarray antenna, to further our SAR research goals. We are also working on orbit debris mitigation solutions, including electromagnetic tethers and drag sails. Enabling Life Sciences research We advise on aerospace solutions for providing data on ecological, environmental and biological research projects. We work with our collaborators on the high frequency imaging of extensive tidal coastlines, megafauna migration and distributed
sensor networks. Our work also supports our collaborators’ research into the long term effects of microgravity on human microbiota and protein crystal synthesis. Australasian Optical Communication Ground Station Network The next evolution in space-ground communication will be using coherent light and adaptive optics systems. Working with collaborators in Australia, Germany, Japan and the USA, the Institute seeks to support the creation of an optical ground communication network, with nodes across Australia and New Zealand. The Auckland Programme for Space Systems The Auckland Programme for Space Systems (APSS) is designed for undergraduate students in all fields of study throughout the University of Auckland to collaborate to reach a common goal – contributing broadly towards the field of space research and societal needs. A multi-disciplinary mission design competition is the centrepiece of the APSS, with student teams competing for the first prize - the opportunity to build their mission and launch it to orbit.
Key personnel Dr. John Cater is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Engineering Science. He is an aerospace engineer with a track record in computational engineering and experimental aerodynamics. He is experienced in developing propulsion technologies and motivated to use space systems for solving challenges on Earth. Dr. Nicholas Rattenbury is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics. He is an astrophysicist with a passion for developing space-based instrumentation to enable cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research.
CONTACT research@uniservices.co.nz | www.uniservices.co.nz Level 10, 49 Symonds St, Auckland. Private Bag 92019 Victoria St West Auckland 1142 New Zealand
space@auckland.ac.nz | space.ac.nz *
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