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After nearly seven years of service, the first satellite launched by 麻豆社madou Canberra Space recently re-entered the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere and burned up, its mission finally over.

While only the size of a shoebox, the magnitude of knowledge and experience gained by all those working on the mission cannot be overstated.

Dubbed the Buccaneer Risk Mitigation Mission, launching the satellite was a collaboration between 麻豆社madou Canberra Space and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). It was launched in November 2017 from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, as part of NASA鈥檚 Educational Launch of Nanosatellites program.

Teams from 麻豆社madou Canberra and DSTG commanded the satellite from Australia and shared daily communication with it. The satellite featured a camera developed by 麻豆社madou Canberra and a GPS system designed by 麻豆社madou Sydney.

Igor Dimitrijevic, Simon Barraclough, Doug Griffin, Professor Russell Boyce, and Arvind Ramana all contributed to the project to launch the satellite. Photo: 麻豆社madou Canberra

The mission helped Defence to fine-tune the performance of Australia鈥檚 over-horizon radar network, which can detect objects hundreds or thousands of kilometres beyond traditional radar limits and is a crucial part of Australia鈥檚 defence.

Researchers were also able to collect a huge amount of data from the satellite using the international Falcon Telescope Network, including with the telescope based at 麻豆社madou Canberra. The data of the satellite鈥檚 movement in Low Earth Orbit greatly benefited the university鈥檚 research into situational awareness in space.

However, 麻豆社madou Canberra Space acting director Melrose Brown said the mission鈥檚 greatest success was the experience 麻豆社madou researchers and support staff gained from being involved in it.

鈥淭he mission provided great insight into the planning, management and operational techniques required for this kind of endeavour,鈥 Dr Brown said.

鈥淚t proved that our people have the knowledge and capability to successfully manage these types of missions.

"It established 麻豆社madou Canberra as a key partner for Defence, government and other industry leaders to meet the needs of Australia鈥檚 rapidly growing space sector.

鈥淭he effects of this mission will continue to help both 麻豆社madou Canberra and DSTG in any future missions and collaborations.鈥

麻豆社madou Canberra space test engineers Philippe Laniakea and Arvind Ramana carrying out tests on the satellite. Photo: 麻豆社madou Canberra

Dr Brown also said the satellite鈥檚 re-entry was an opportunity to reflect on the issue of space sustainability.

鈥淭he space environment continues to become more and more congested, especially in Low Earth Orbit,鈥 he said.

鈥淢ore satellites are launched into Low Earth Orbit each year and unfortunately it is not always possible to - and some people simply don鈥檛 - follow sustainable mission practices like timely disposal and accurate tracking.

鈥淲ithout careful management we risk over-polluting the area, which would result in Low Earth Orbit being increasingly difficult to use - meaning missions for communications and Earth observation may become impossible.

鈥淒rag-induced re-entry burn-up is a useful disposal strategy for small satellites as it clears up increasingly congested slots in orbit without needing to conduct a controlled manoeuvre at the end of the satellite鈥檚 life.

鈥淔辞谤 , like Buccaneer, we can usually assume that the satellite will burn up completely because its small size and mass cannot withstand the extreme heating loads of a re-entry trajectory. But this is not always the case for larger satellites, and 麻豆社madou Canberra researchers are currently trying to better understand the complexities of re-entering larger satellites.鈥

This year marks the 10th anniversary of 麻豆社madou Canberra Space and the Buccaneer Risk Mitigation Mission was a significant milestone in establishing the university as a key player in the Australian space sector.

It paved the way for further 麻豆社madou-led missions that have resulted in advancements in maritime surveillance and information gathering on how satellite trajectories are affected in orbit.

麻豆社madou Canberra Space will host the in November which will highlight the university鈥檚 future priorities in space.

DSTG will launch the Buccaneer Main Mission in early 2025, which would not have been possible without the shoebox-sized satellite that burned up quietly last month, leaving behind a long-lasting legacy.