Australia’s SpIRIT nanosatellite has successfully completed the first phase of its mission, marking a milestone achievement for Australia’s place and reputation in the global space industry.
Led by the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal nanosatellite (SpIRIT) is the first space telescope to carry a foreign space agency’s scientific instrument as its main payload.
Since its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California in December 2023, SpIRIT has circled Earth more than 9,000 times and has been in orbit for over 600 days.
SpIRIT’s unique wings, designed by the University of Melbourne, help keep the space telescope cool and enhance its scientific performance. Now in its final configuration, the spacecraft measures almost a metre in size.
Principal Investigator Professor Michele Trenti from the University of Melbourne said: “Now that SpIRIT has completed rigorous testing in space, we are confident it’s ready to commence the next phase of its mission, which is truly exciting.”
First mission phase: Breakthrough tech enables selfies in space
The completion of the first phase of the SpIRIT nanosatellite mission was marked with the deployment of its winged thermal management system and selfie stick, which it used to take a ‘selfie’ in space.
The image beamed back to Earth and showed the nanosatellite crested in emblems of partners who made its mission possible.
Second phase of SpIRIT: Detecting gamma-ray bursts
Expected to remain in orbit for more than 1,000 days in total, SpIRIT’s core mission will now transition from testing flight capabilities and Australian space technology to scientific observation.
SpIRIT will scan large areas of space using its HERMES X-ray detector to detect cosmic explosions called gamma-ray bursts, which are created when stars collide or die and are unpredictable and difficult to spot.
Acting as an early warning system, SpIRIT will alert astronomers to a gamma ray burst event for further investigation.
Redefining Australia’s position in the global space sector
Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo welcomed the milestone and transition to the next phase of the mission: “The SpIRIT mission has demonstrated the capability that exists within the Australian space sector – from building the satellite and testing new technologies in orbit and on ground, to hosting international science payloads and successfully completing its initial phase.
“I commend the team and our colleagues at the Italian Space Agency on their persistent long-duration operations in space. SpIRIT is a great example of the mutual benefit that comes from collaborating in space.”
Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency, added: “The result confirms the excellence of Italian space science, capable of producing technologically advanced equipment, and at the same time reaffirms the strong strategic value of scientific collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and its Australian counterpart.”