South Australia’s first state-owned and manufactured satellite Kanyini has found its home among the stars, successfully launching into low Earth orbit onboard SpaceX‘s Transporter-11 mission.
Launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 17 August, the deployment of Kanyini marks a monumental leap for the state’s space sector and the culmination of many years of hard work.
A remarkable example of space industry collaboration, the $6.5 million Kanyini mission was funded by the South Australian Government and built by a wholly South Australian-based mission team at Lot Fourteen. SmartSat CRC was the mission lead, while Inovor Technologies manufactured the satellite bus and Myriota developed the IoT sensor being carried by Kanyini.
Now in orbit, mission partner Inovor has confirmed that Kanyini is healthy and thriving, achieving steady communications and command and data processes that exceed the industry standard. The company is working on assessing the satellite’s subsystems further and will soon begin the commissioning cycle.
Thrilled with how the mission is tracking, Inovor Chief Executive Officer Dr Matt Tetlow commended the entire team involved.
“The collaborative effort from the whole mission team, including SmartSat CRC and Myriota, as well as the support from the South Australian Government, has been critical for the success of Kanyini.”
Myriota CTO and Co-Founder Dr David Haley added that the launch will continue to accelerate IoT connectivity globally.
“As part of Myriota’s commercial IoT constellation, Kanyini will be instrumental in delivering critical field data to users across a range of key industries.”
More than just a technological feat, Kanyini will pilot the use of space data and artificial intelligence to enhance environmental monitoring on Earth.
SmartSat CRC Chief Executive Officer Andy Koronios said that the research initiatives and data collection undertaken by Kanyini aims to enrich lives.
“The State’s small satellite, Kanyini, has taken a giant leap for South Australia’s space sector,” Mr Koronios said.
”The Kanyini mission is not just about sending a satellite into space; it’s about building South Australia’s capabilities and contributing valuable data for applications that enhance our lives here in South Australia.”
Once fully commissioned, Kanyini will deliver critical space data for use by government and research institutions, particularly in the areas of sustainability and climate impacts. Future research initiatives include:
- Early Fire-Smoke Detection: Led by the University of South Australia, this cutting-edge onboard AI technology research project will help detect fires from space 500 times faster than traditional on-ground processing of imagery.
- Robust Predictive AI: Led by the Queensland University of Technology with the European Space Agency Phi-Lab, this project uses detailed satellite images – known as hyperspectral imagery – to develop robust and trustworthy predictive AI capabilities that can accurately predict events such as landslides and flooding.
- Sensing South Australian Urban Heat Islands from Space: Led by the South Australian Department for Environment and Water, Greening Adelaide and other industry partners, this pilot project aims to map urban heat islands across South Australia to mitigate the effects of heatwaves.
Kanyini is a Pitjantjatjara word that describes the principle of responsibility and unconditional love for all of creation. In 2021, South Australians school students were invited to submit entries to name the satellite. Year 11 students from Findon High School won the challenge with their nomination of Kanyini, inspired by the connection of Kanyini to how the satellite data would be used to tackle real world problems.
When the name was announced in 2021, APY Lands General Manager Richard King welcomed the satellite’s APY Lands connection.
“All communities on the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands are proud that the word ‘Kanyini’, a tenet of our ancient language, will be used for the new satellite,” Mr King said. “The combination of ancient Australia and modern Australia coming together in this new space frontier will be a matter of great celebration for the first South Australians of Central Australian Deserts.”
Follow Kanyini’s journey at www.kanyinimission.com.au
