FINAL REPORT 31 MARCH 2021 The International Space Station must manoeuvre away from a possible space debris collision 1 to 3 times per year on average What is space debris? Any human-made object in orbit that does not serve a purpose is considered space debris. For example, components of a spacesuit, retired satellites, spent rocket bodies and fragments of satellites resulting from Space debris collisions and break up events. moves with high velocity in the range of 8km per second spacePRESERVING FUtureFOR THE FRONT COVER: EOS Space Research Centre debris tracking telescope. OUR MISSION The Space Environment Research Centre (SERC) was established in 2014 to develop technologies to reduce the threat to space-based infrastructure from space debris. 170 million Over the funding period, SERC consolidated formerly- pieces too small independent research efforts to achieve a critical mass to track are also in and form a platform for new investment, through orbit 30,000 providing: softball-sized and larger pieces are currently • a transparent framework for international research orbiting Earth collaboration, ensuring equity for all collaborators regardless of nationality or whether a private or public entity; • access to state-of-the-art space research programs and infrastructure; • new funds for consolidating research program synergies and investigating new avenues; and • exemplary management of research, consistent focus and strategic leadership. OUR VISION Our Vision was that: • SERC technology play a key role in practical global 500,000 efforts for space debris management, mitigation and marble-sized pieces removal, and currently orbiting Earth • SERC collaboration extend beyond the lifetime of SERC and that compatible national, international and commercial efforts to address issues arising from space debris continue. This report has been prepared in accordance with the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program Final Report Guidelines and is submitted to comply with the requirements of Section 4 of the Guide. The CRC for Space Environment Management was administered by the Space Environment Research Centre Limited (SERC). Space Environment Research Centre AITC2, Mount Stromlo Observatory Weston Creek ACT 2611 PO Box 4204, Weston Creek ACT 2611 T + 61 425 275 159 E [email protected] W www.serc.org.au www.facebook.com/serc.aus @serc_aus ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Executive Summary 9 1.1. Achievements 10 1.2. Key Contributors 14 1.3. Performance Against Activities 21 1.4 Activities Status 36 1.5. Education and Training 40 1.6. Intellectual Property 47 1.7. Communications 47 1.8. Governance – Board, Committees and Key Staff 51 1.9. Participants 60 EXIT REPORT 2.1. Exit Report 63 2.2. Snapshot Summary 72 APPENDICES 3.1. Glossary of Terms 75 3.2. SERC Publications 77 4 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 5 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 Report from the CHAIR As Chair of the Space Environment Research Centre Limited (SERC), I am pleased to report that the CRC for Space Environment Management has accomplished a great deal over the past six years on research to improve the accuracy of orbital debris tracking. We are now embarking on the final and highly critical phase of SERC’s activities to lay the groundwork for a manoeuvre demonstration of orbital debris using photon pressure from high-power lasers. I am particularly proud of the achievements of our PhD students. Their commitment to excellence has been rewarded through prizes, fellowships, and great jobs. SERC delivered seventeen PhDs against a target of ten. As with many CRCs, a skilled workforce will be one of the enduring legacies of SERC. SERC’s members include two universities: the Australian National University and RMIT University; three industry partners: EOS Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (USA) and Optus Satellite Networks; and one international public sector research agency, the Japanese National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). I thank all the members for their ongoing support and commitment to SERC. I would also like to thank all the researchers involved in the CRC, my fellow directors and all those who joined them in making our Board subcommittees work so effectively, previous CEOs, Ben Greene and David Ball, and the SERC management team capably led by the current CEO Steve Gower. As we move into the final phase of SERC, participants and researchers remain fully committed to our research objectives and maximising our contributions towards better tracking and management of orbital debris. Mary O’Kane Chair 5 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 HIGHLIGHTS REPORTING PERIOD: 2014-2021 GUIDE In a world first, SERC Participants will use the STAR GSL to correct for atmospheric distortions in light travelling in both directions (from the (GSL) ground to the space object and from the LASER space object back to the ground. SPACE OBJECT CATALOGUE SERC SOC IS COLLECTING DATA FROM OVER 1,000 SPACE OBJECT TRACKS NIGHTLY SERC GEO TRACKER TELESCOPE Collects and feeds automated space object track data into the SERC SOC LASER COMBINING World record for spectral combining efficiency of BEAM high-power lasers 6 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 7 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 REPORTING PERIOD: 2014-2021 SERC HOSTED THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON LASER RANGING SERC hosted delegates from international space agencies, research institutions, observatories and other space industry DELEGATES professionals in Canberra in 2018 192 21 COUNTRIES PHD SUBMISSIONS With a further three submissions anticipated 17 in 2021 SERC RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS TO 31 DECEMBER 2020 503+ 1027 SERC RESEARCH CITATIONS PUBLICATIONS 19 TELEVISION INTERVIEWS 29 RADIO INTERVIEWS 145 PRINT MEDIA ARTICLES 750 FACEBOOK STORIES 145 LINKEDIN FOLLOWERS 100,000+ WEBSITE VISITS 7 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 Report from the CEO SERC set out to address the issue of space debris by bringing together Australian and international expertise in measurement, monitoring, analysis and management of space debris to develop technologies to preserve the space environment. SERC’s journey started in 2012. The first CRC grant application was not successful. We regrouped, sharpened our pencils and resubmitted a more focused application. An application with very ambitious research goals. We have achieved many of the things we set out to do. Our research programs are mostly complete. Our education program exceeded its goals and has contributed to the growing pool of expertise in the Australian space sector. A key goal of the CRC. Since opening our doors in 2014, SERC and its Participants have come a long way together. However, the world has also changed. Earth orbit is now more congested with debris and active satellites. In July 2014, there were approximately 3800 payloads in orbit. As of November 2020, this number had increased by 60% to 6080. The total number of trackable objects in November was 21,293 with more than 15,200 objects classified as debris. SpaceX alone has launched more than 1,000 Starlink communications satellites as a part of its mega constellation. Anti-satellite tests by state-based actors have also contributed greatly to the debris on orbit. The space debris problem is getting worse. In collaboration with our Participants, SERC has developed technology to better detect space debris. Better detection means better tracking. The enhanced tracking capability developed within SERC allows for better orbit prediction. These predictions, along with active debris and optical tracking have led to the development of a sovereign Australian Conjunction and Threat Warning system. This system protects Australian space assets from collisions with debris. SERC is now entering its wind-up phase and will cease activities in 2021. SERC is conducting on-sky experiments early in 2021 after which the organisation will be formally wound up. I would like to thank our Participants, researchers, students and SERC staff for their commitment and dedication towards advancing the objectives of SERC. It is pleasing to see how much has been achieved by the CRC since its establishment in 2014. I would also like to extend my thanks to Prof Mary O’Kane and the Board of Directors for their invaluable support and guidance during my time as CEO. In addition, I would also like to express my gratitude to the dedicated team at the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources for their encouragement and proactive engagement. Without the CRC Program and the support of the Department and Ministers, the achievements of SERC would not have been possible. Dr Steve Gower Chief Executive 8 SERC ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 8 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 9 | SERC FINAL REPORT 2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CRC for Space Environment Management, operated by the Space Environment Research Centre (SERC), was funded through the Department of Innovation Industry and Science’s CRC Program as well as through Participant contributions. The strategic objectives included: • Identification and exploitation of synergies between the research efforts of Participants so that the research objectives were collectively more advanced than would have been the case without SERC; • Establishment of efficient, equitable and transparent processes for combining resources from a wide range of collaborating entities; and • Development of new technologies to preserve the space environment and extend the benefits of space to future generations. SERC’s purpose has been to pursue and promote world-class research and education addressing the mounting risk of space collisions between satellites and debris. This risk threatens