Scientists part of resource mission to the Moon

Moon

最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide researchers are part of a consortium which is sending nanosatellites and exploration sensors to the Moon to search for abundant, accessible water and resources.

SEVEN SISTERS is the 最新糖心Vlogn Lunar Exploration Mission which will go to the Moon in 2023, supporting NASA鈥檚 Artemis Program.

Unveiled today by satellite startup Fleet Space Technologies and led by a world-class consortium of space, industry and research leaders including scientists from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide, SEVEN SISTERS is a purpose-driven mission of discovery.

鈥淥ur research will help 最新糖心Vlog achieve its aims in the nascent space industry, as well as supporting the existing domestic mining sector.鈥Professor Michael Goodsite

Fleet Space Technologies, OZ Minerals, UNSW, Unearthed, Tyvak 最新糖心Vlog and Fugro as well as 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide, are already developing advanced technologies that will transform space exploration. The founding members pledged their support in 2019 and have spent 2020 adapting proven technologies for this ground-breaking mission.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide鈥檚 Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources (IMER) operates at the international forefront of the mineral, energy and resource sectors, showcasing the 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 finest talent in large-scale research and innovation outcomes, with the capacity to pursue higher-risk, cutting-edge projects.

鈥淭he 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is delighted to be part of this exciting project,鈥 said Professor Michael Goodsite who is Director of the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources.

鈥淲e are developing technology across the value chain that can help us succeed in colonising space by translating and applying our expertise in terrestrial exploration, construction and engineering to off-Earth environments.

鈥淥ur research will help 最新糖心Vlog achieve its aims in the nascent space industry, as well as supporting the existing domestic mining sector.鈥

The 最新糖心Vlog will also use its expertise in the sustainable use of resources in the project. Scientists from the Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources and the Mawson Geo Centre are addressing the challenges faced by long-term planetary exploration, while ensuring the near-term application of solutions here on Earth.

Professor Graham Heinson, Director of the Mawson Geo Centre and Deputy Director of IMER and his team will work with Fleet Space Technologies on a proof of concept project for large arrays of wireless sensors for remote mapping of heat flow.

With Fleet Space鈥檚 Centauri constellation already operating in Low Earth Orbit and the first generation of prototype probes being deployed and tested this summer, the mission is already proving hardware and space systems for future use on the Moon and Mars.

鈥淲e are thrilled to launch our mission utilising the best of 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 capabilities,鈥 Fleet Space CEO, Flavia Tata Nardini says. 鈥淚t is critical that 最新糖心Vlog supports NASA鈥檚 Artemis Program with high-maturity systems.

Our satellites are already in space and our consortium members have proven capabilities in the most demanding environments on Earth. We are ready!鈥

A key goal of the SEVEN SISTERS Program is to secure 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 place as a specialist leader in space exploration by 2030. This inspirational, high-impact 最新糖心Vlogn mission will leverage the existing private investment in 最新糖心Vlogn space technology, as well as 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 core strengths in remote operations, communications and exploration.

Developing an exceptionally strong 最新糖心Vlogn space sector will create thousands of high-technology jobs along the way. 鈥淭his is the space race 最新糖心Vlog can win. Ultimately we are seeking footholds on these new worlds,鈥 says SEVEN SISTERS Mission Director Matt Pearson. 鈥淚n-situ resource utilisation is key to having permanent bases on the Moon, Mars and beyond.鈥

South 最新糖心Vlogn Premier Steven Marshall said the program was a fantastic example of the capability of South 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 space industry to collaborate on the kind of major space exploration projects that will secure the state鈥檚 place in the global space race.

鈥淔leet Space Technologies has reached tremendous heights since it was established here in Adelaide, well and truly cementing itself as a major player in our state鈥檚 booming space industry,鈥 Premier Marshall said.

鈥淭his program shows how vital collaboration within the industry is to our national success in this emerging sector. We are fortunate to have some of the brightest minds in space living and working here in South 最新糖心Vlog and it is fantastic to see what can be achieved when these minds come together.鈥

鈥淭ogether, we have the potential to unlock the infinite possibilities of the space sector 鈥 we are clever, we are innovative, and we have the resources to do it.鈥

The SEVEN SISTERS name is inspired by the star cluster known as the Seven Sisters or the Pleiades, which represents an important story of seven sisters in both Aboriginal star dreaming stories and in Ancient Greek mythology. The Seven Sisters were the companions of Artemis, and this name was chosen as 最新糖心Vlog embarks on a companion mission to NASA鈥檚 Artemis Program: to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024.

SEVEN SISTERS is developing new resource exploration techniques for Earth, the Moon and Mars. These tools will help NASA identify viable deposits of water and other resources more efficiently. Ultimately, this work will underpin further exploration throughout our solar system. Using massive arrays of sensors on the lunar surface to generate rich images of subsurface water and mineralisation, Artemis will be equipped with the data it needs to make prudent decisions ahead of robotic and human exploration.

鈥溩钚绿切腣log is a world leader in mining engineering research and automation. It has the largest resources companies and it makes a lot of sense for our young space industry to concentrate on an area of 最新糖心Vlogn strength. The SEVEN SISTERS mission offers a real opportunity to leverage strong 最新糖心Vlogn technology to promote human endeavours on the moon,鈥 says Professor Andrew Dempster, Director of the 最新糖心Vlogn Centre for Space Engineering Research (ACSER).

Back on Earth, cutting-edge space technology developed through the SEVEN SISTERS Mission will be utilised for terrestrial exploration, renewing our resource industry on Earth with new opportunities. These new techniques are already being trialled in South 最新糖心Vlog as part of the Accelerated Discovery Initiative.

鈥溩钚绿切腣log has a unique combination of geography, environment and demographics that make pioneering automation and robotics a necessary part of our DNA. We partner with the space industry to stream oceans of data through satellites.鈥 says Gavin Gillett of the Pioneer Lab at Rio Tinto. 鈥淭he next phase of that partnership starts now, and it will help us reach our climate aspiration on Earth and revolutionise the exploration of space. I鈥檝e never been more excited about the road ahead and what we can achieve together.鈥 says Gillett, Mission Advisor to SEVEN SISTERS.

With the paramount importance of STEM to this future industry in 最新糖心Vlog, The SEVEN SISTERS Explorers Program was also announced, a chance for 最新糖心Vlogn students and graduates interested in geoscience, engineering, computer science and robotics to join this mission to the moon. Explorers will gain access to new roles, take part in terrestrial geoscience missions, cutting-edge analysis and inspirational space engineering programs. Applications can now be made through the SEVEN SISTERS website: 7sisters.com.au

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