Optus-led consortium to launch LEO satellite

An Optus-led consortium made up of the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, HEO, Inovor Technologies and the Australian Department of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has announced it will commence the build, launch and operation of a sovereign Australian Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite.

The consortium, which is targeting a spacecraft launch date of early 2028, will host two pieces of equipment developed under the Australian Government’s iLAuNCH Trailblazer Universities Program, sponsored by the Federal Department of Education.

The LEO satellite will be built by Inovor Technologies in Adelaide and Optus intends to operate the spacecraft from its Belrose Space Operations Centre in Sydney.

There are two pieces of hosted equipment confirmed; the first, led by Optus in partnership with HEO and the University of Southern Queensland, includes HEO’s new 20cm Adler Imager, a specialised space telescope designed to take high-resolution pictures of space objects, also known as non-earth imaging.

This will allow for the consortium to leverage HEO’s capability to provide Defence, Intelligence and Civil government agencies and commercial customers with insights into space objects.

The space awareness information will assist with transparency in space and allow customers to manage and operate their space assets, protect essential space infrastructure, and optimise satellite life.

Under this commercial and academic partnership, the capability will also be leveraged for better observation of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies.

The second piece of hosted equipment, to be developed by the University of South Australia with support from SmartSat CRC, will include a compact communication terminal that functions at fast speeds, using laser light (optical) to send and receive data between another satellite or a ground terminal.

The hosted equipment will also include a more conventional radio frequency communications capability, supporting DSTG’s ongoing research and development activities in optical and Low Earth Orbit satellite communications.

This project builds on the work already announced by iLAuNCH  in partnership with The Australian National University (ANU), Optus and Leonardo UK to build smaller, lower cost laser communications ground stations.

Additionally, Optus is in discussion with other partners to explore additional opportunities that will help develop future space capabilities, including multi-orbit pathways.

Optus' head of satellite and space systems, Nick Leake, said connectivity continues to play a critical role in the Australian economy, whether that be through supporting small businesses in regional and remote towns or large enterprises with employees spread across the country.

"We must continue to explore new ways of delivering services that businesses rely on," he said.

“By collaborating with Australia’s industry leaders across the public, private and academic sectors, we are able to further advance the use of technology to solve problems, fuel growth and define what’s next for the telco industry while supporting Australian businesses and Australian workers.”