23/10/2026
🛰️ From South Australia to space
Nova Systems’ Space Precinct near Peterborough, South Australia, is continuing to grow as a hub for the ground infrastructure that keeps satellites connected to Earth.
Since being established in 2019, the precinct has grown to six operational ground stations and supported around 55 missions, including SpIRIT (Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal), the first satellite mission funded by the Australian Space Agency.
For SpIRIT, Nova Systems developed an Autonomous Intelligent Ground Station that combined a UHF satellite communications terminal at Peterborough with an autonomous scheduling and analysis system, helping maintain vital communications between the Australian-built nanosatellite and teams on the ground.
SpIRIT spent more than 25 months in orbit, completing around 16,000 orbits and travelling some 690 million kilometres before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere in August 2026. During its mission, it demonstrated Australian technologies in communications, propulsion, thermal management and autonomous operations.
It’s a great example of how Australian capability on the ground can help enable Australian innovation in orbit. 🇦🇺
Discover how SpIRIT put Australian space technology to the test in orbit: http://spklr.io/6185EVZWc