Hobart, Australia, 27 February 2021 – Today, technology solutions company, HENSOLDT Australia, and the University of Tasmania welcomed the Hon Minister Melissa Price for a visit to the Greenhill Observatory in Tasmania. The University of Tasmania (UTas) operates the largest radio telescopes antennae network distributed across Australia. The Greenhill Observatory is located on Bisdee Tier, Spring Hill in Tasmania. It is one of five locations, with others in Western Australia at Yarradagee, South Australia in Ceduna and the Northern Territory in Katherine. The fifth location is in Tasmania which houses one of the largest radio telescopes spanning 26m in Australia.
Space has become an increasingly congested environment, in which the risk of collision between space assets and space debris is continuously increasing. Tasmania is in an unique geographical position for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) in the Southern Hemisphere, given its closeness to the Southern polar orbits. Australia therefore can sight objects in space more often and longer significantly contributing to the sovereign Australian capabilities for SDA.
In July 2021, HENSOLDT Australia and the University of Tasmania launched the Southern Guardian Situational Awareness System supported by the Tasmanian State Government. This Sovereign Australian SDA system became operational last year at Spacefest and has already achieved improved accuracy of information for tracked satellites because of Southern Guardian’s sovereign network of sensors covering LEO to Lunar+. The improved precision in satellite tracking data is critical for any effective Space Traffic Management.
We are planning to expand partnerships within the Australian industry under the Southern Guardian program.
The founding partners of the Southern Guardian SDA capability bring an unique advantage: HENSOLDT Australia has distinctive skills in space radar technology, system and software development as well as data analytics and cyber security. UTas has the experience and infrastructure in space observation and tracking, launch support as well as supporting communication with Australian satellite missions in all orbits and domains.
Minister Price was given the tour of the radio telescope antennae at Greenhill Observatory, an outline of the continental network of sensors and its important role to the broader Sovereign Australian Space capabilities. She inspected the construction of the new antenna funded by the Federal Space Infrastructure Fund and also received insights into HENSOLDT’s data analytical software and C4ISR capabilities visualising and analysing the data feeds received form UTas sensor network. (Space battle management system?)
It was important for Minister Price, who is the Minister for the Defence Industry and the Minister for Science and Technology, to view the vital work and tangible capabilities that HENSOLDT and the University of Tasmania, under their Southern Guardian SDA system has achieved. HENSOLDT and the University of Tasmania appreciates the interest the Minister has shown in todays’ visit.
The University of Tasmania manages an array of space infrastructure, capable of observing near-Earth orbiting objects, satellites and space debris and further afield objects including the tracking of distant space missions and asteroids. Southern Guardian will capture and analyse this space observation data to track, categorise and identify objects and potential threats. HENSOLDT Australia’s Hobart facility will be the centre for the Southern Guardian systems integration and data analysis, which will further fuel innovation and opportunities for both Defence and commercial space operations.
In addition to space, HENSOLDT Australia provides technology solutions across maritime, defence and clean energy, aligning closely with Tasmania’s key industry sectors. HENSOLDT’s Hobart office cements the TEAM Tasmania partnership with a local base to develop connections and build a local workforce to support space, maritime, clean energy and defence opportunities.
HENSOLDT Australia
HENSOLDT Australia and New Zealand is committed to unlocking the potential of technological solutions and services by providing its customers with integrated answers and analytics. We work across the Defence and Security industry, are pioneering into the Australian Space awareness domain, and are focusing on the Clean Energy potential in Australia and New Zealand. Our Solutions and Services expertise is what stands us apart.
Our capabilities include design, manufacture, integration, engineering, repair, and ILS (Integrated Logistics Support). We are internationally recognized for our leading-edge technologies, installing, and delivering radars and electronic solutions, hydrogen systems, electro-optronics, and air traffic control solutions.
From humble roots, HENSOLDT Global now employs over 5,600 staff worldwide, with revenues of 1.2 billion euros in 2020. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the SDAX stock market index.
HENSOLDT Australia is headquartered in Canberra, with offices in Hobart, Newcastle and Adelaide and a growing team that support various Defence programs and civilian applications across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
ABOUT HENSOLDT
HENSOLDT Australia is part of the HENSOLDT Group and consolidates the portfolio of products and solutions offered to the Australian and New Zealand market.
HENSOLDT is a German champion in the defence industry with a leading market position in Europe and a global reach. Headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich/Germany, the company develops sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a technology leader, HENSOLDT also continuously expands its Cyber security portfolio and develops new products to combat a wide range of threats based on innovative approaches to data management, robotics and cyber. With more than 6,400 employees, HENSOLDT generated revenues of 1.2 billion euros in 2020. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Contact
Nicola Leigh Tel.: +44 1992 805 349
Communications nicola.leigh@hensoldt.net
