Perth supercomputing grant to enhance space data

23 June 2020 

A new Australian Space Data Analysis Facility (ASDAF) will help analysis of satellite data by small to medium enterprises and researchers.

Part of the $19.5m Space Infrastructure Fund, the facility will provide improved analysis of Earth observation and space situational awareness data.

Western Australia’s Pawsey Supercomputing Centre is the recipient of a $1.5 million Australian Government grant to establish the new space data analysis facility in Perth. Pawsey is also a key stakeholder in the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH).

The Head of the Australian Space Agency, Dr Megan Clark AC, says the facility will help decision makers use space data.

“Analysing data from satellites will help farmers to manage their crops and emergency services to monitor floods and fires,” Dr Clark said.

“It will also help satellite operators, trying to avoid collisions with space debris, make decisions in real time.”

The Australian Government is investing almost $700 million into the space sector. The goal is to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and add up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.