Kanyini Satellite Clears Environmekanyini-satellite-modelntal Stress Test

Kanyini Satellite Clears Environmekanyini-satellite-modelntal Stress Test
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 15, 2024

The Kanyini satellite, based in South Australia, has successfully completed a significant Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) milestone, a critical step in preparation for its scheduled mid-2024 launch. Conducted at the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre of the Australian National University in Canberra, the ESS tested the satellite against severe space conditions including extreme temperatures, vibrations, and vacuum stresses, simulating the challenging environment of space to ensure its durability and operational integrity.

Manufactured entirely in Adelaide at Lot Fourteen, Kanyini underwent two weeks of rigorous testing and emerged fully functional, demonstrating its readiness for the harsh realities of space. This achievement follows the successful completion of the System Integration Review, propelling the entirely South Australian mission team into the final stages of manufacturing.

The impending launch of Kanyini signifies a major milestone for the South Australian space sector, aiming to establish a legacy in local satellite manufacturing, Internet of Things (IoT) technology, and mission leadership - crucial components for competing on a global stage.

Kanyini will carry dual IoT and imager payloads into orbit, providing essential data for governmental and research use, with a focus on sustainability and climate impact studies. The satellite features the advanced Hyperscout 2 imager, equipped with onboard processing capabilities and Artificial Intelligence algorithms for direct, in-orbit data handling. This will facilitate quick decision-making in urgent situations such as bushfire smoke detection among other applications.

The mission is a collective effort involving the South Australian Government, the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre as the mission lead, Adelaide's Inovor Technologies for satellite manufacturing, and global IoT provider Myriota. Kanyini is set to be launched with SpaceX's Transporter-11 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA.

Susan Close, Kanyini Mission Director Peter Nikoloff, Inovor founder and CEO Dr. Matt Tetlow, and Myriota CTO and co-founder Dr. David Haley have all praised the successful completion of the ESS and the collaborative nature of the mission, highlighting its importance for the South Australian space industry and its potential to enhance Earth observation and IoT capabilities worldwide.