DoctorGuifre Molera Calves

Project Total: $60,000; Ground Station support activities for High Energy Astrophysics CubeSat Funded by: Astronomical Observatory of Trieste ($59,956); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $459,900; In this project, I propose a cutting-edge initiative to address a critical challenge in modern space operations: the accurate tracking and identification of satellites during the launch and deployment phase. With the increasing frequency of multi-satellite launches, a significant number of them are lost or misidentified due to the inability to distinguish individual units after deployment. This uncertainty is an evidence of inefficiency, but it also poses risks to space traffic management and long-term sustainability. Our project will develop a robust system for the characterisation and tracking of satellites immediately after deployment, using a combination of advanced sensing technologies and machine learning. One of the primary issues we target is the ambiguity in satellite identificationoften, it is unclear which satellite belongs to which manufacturer, especially when multiple satellites are deployed. To solve this, we will integrate University of Tasmanias ground-based sensors, micro-Doppler radar techniques, and AI-enhanced optical tracking systems. Micro-Doppler signatures provide unique motion-based identifiers, while AI algorithms will process optical data to refine orbital predictions and match satellites to their respective launch manifests. This multi-modal approach will significantly reduce uncertainty in early orbit determination and improve attribution accuracy. The project will also enhance sovereign capabilities in space domain awareness. This initiative aims to deliver a scalable, Southern Hemisphere-based solution that supports satellite operators, launch providers, and regulatory bodies in maintaining a safer and more transparent space environment. The project has a large overlap with the CoE in transients, and the ARC LIEF26 ASDRON project. Funded by: Department of Education - Grant - AEA Ignite ($460,007); University of Tasmania ($17,000).

Project Total: $300,000; This funding supports UTas telescopes participation in scheduled Long baseline array (LBA) observations, where possible. All current modes of LBA observations will be supported. New capabilities may be supported but will be subject to negotiation between UTas and CSIRO Space and Astronomy. Funded by: CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science ($300,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $44,330; Space tracking data collected using Tasmania's multiple powerful radio telescopes is currently processed using traditional CPU-based software. We aim to adapt, or where required, recreate the processing software to instead make use of Supercloud-based GPUs-a modern supercomputing technique that is necessary to achieve real-time multi-object satellite and debris tracking. Funded by: Department of State Growth (Tas) - Grant - Tasmanian Space Technology Seed Fund 2022; University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $50,000; Accurate space weather forecasting in real-time is of critical importance to commercial satellite operators and space agencies. Satellites are critical infrastructure for the underpinning of modern economic activities such as communications, accurate position-finding, and weather forecasting. Assets in space can be damaged or destroyed by space weather - the harsh electromagnetic and cosmic ray conditions produced by Solar activity (coronal mass ejections, CME). The candidate will use the University of Tasmania's unique space physics infrastructure to study the magnetic fields, propagation speeds, and particle energy spectra of CMEs in order to develop a framework under which satellite operators can be warned of space weather events before the CME damage is done. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the three supervisors. They combine expertise in observational data, instrumentation development, analysis of large data sets, theory, and simulation of large-scale environments. This project will utilise the tracking of spacecraft with UTAS radio telescopes to provide insights into the fundamental physics that governs space weather. The student will coordinate observations with the antennas together collaborating with space missions from NASA and ESA. The student will take the lead in the communication with these space missions. Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation - Scholarship-Top-Up ($50,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $223,549; Installation of a ground-station in Katherine (Northern Territory) to support activities for High energy astrophysics CubeSat. The agreement involves the INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, University of Melbourne, and Masaryk University Funded by: Astronomical Observatory of Trieste ($223,549); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $38,900; measuring the transmitted power from various satellites of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) using UTAS radio telescopes. GNSS systems such as the GPS, Galileo or Beidou use different generations of satellites and the transmitted power is variable and not exactly known, causing unpredictable orbit errors. This project aims to measure and calibrate this effect, and hence assist to improve the accuracy of the GNSS systems. The project is a neat combination between original and exciting basic research and actual application in measuring and providing real values for each satellite. The work perfectly fits the research profiles of the included staff. It is basically one application that I was hoping for when writing my DECRA. Funded by: FrontierSI ($38,900); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $49,012; The Joint work by the parties (UTAS and JIVE) on Planetary Radio Interferometer and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) of the JUICE mission requires intensive observing and data processing activities during the pre-launch year. Due to COVID-19 conditions the recently UTAS graduated student will start her post-doc at UTAS conducting mission preparations until the borders open. Funded by: The Joint Institute For Very Long Baseline Interferometry in Europe ($49,012); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $577; Installation of the system SpaceIQ develop by Cyberops to monitor the space situational awareness. The project is partially funded by ASA and Defense department. Funded by: CyberOps Pty Ltd; Department of Defence ($577); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $1,200,000; The University of Tasmania will receive $1.2 million ($600k in 2019/20 and $600k in 2020/21 financial years) from the Australian Space Agency (ASA) Space Infrastructure Fund (SIF). We expect this to be categories as HERDC CAT-2 income. The funding will be support a number of developments, the most significant being construction of a new ground station for satellite tracking at the University of Tasmania's Bisdee Tier optical observatory, approximately 70km north of Hobart. The funds will also enable an upgrade of tracking capability at the University's other radio observatories and enable the creation of a bi-static radar capacity that can be used for space situational awareness activities. Funded by: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science - Space Infrastructure Fund ($1,200,000); University of Tasmania ($200,000).