Australian Satellite Tracking Prototype to Debut at IAC 2025: A Leap Forward in Space Domain Awareness
The Defence Innovation Network’s (DIN) universities, in collaboration with local industry partners HEO and Sitle, will unveil the Omnidirectional Wide-angle Locator (OWL) prototype at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney. Developed under the DIN’s Strategic Investment Initiative and supported by the NSW Government, OWL represents a new frontier in high-agility space imaging.
The OWL demonstrator features a novel precision gimballed two-mirror system capable of rapid target acquisition and tracking—critical for space domain awareness and responsive satellite operations.
Developed with support from Macquarie University and UNSW Sydney, the technology is designed for future integration with HEO’s satellite platforms.
“This is a step-change in the performance of space cameras,” said Dr. Lee Spitler, Principal Investigator.
“Our mirror prototype enables the camera to point in multiple directions without relying on spacecraft manoeuvres, minimising disruption to primary mission operations.”
“OWL shows the impact of strong collaboration between universities and industry,” said Hiranya Jayakody, CTO & Co-Founder of HEO.
“The research and development work conducted by Macquarie University shows promise in enabling in-orbit optics to operate in an agile manner, a capability especially important to non-Earth imaging”
“Sitle is proud to have contributed to this project by deriving the mechanics of the mirror mechanism and writing control software to enable OWL to actively track targets.
It’s a great showcase of some of Sitle’s capabilities.” says James Buttenshaw, CEO & Co-Founder of Sitle.
“Developed by the NSW Defence Innovation Network and designed to interface with an HEO camera designed right here in Sydney, the OWL for Space Domain Awareness prototype highlights how NSW R&D expertise is providing innovative solutions to pressing space industry problems,” said Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
The project team is now working to space-qualify the prototype and demonstrate its performance in orbit.
The prototype will be showcased at Macquarie University’s Australian Astronomical Optics booth near the NSW Government pavilion at IAC 2025, with live demonstrations scheduled throughout the week.
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Lucia Kralova | Defence Innovation Network | 0490 121 084