Space Environment Research Centre (SERC)

In the modern developed world it would be difficult to get through a single day without making use of some form of satellite technology. If you make a phone call from a mobile phone, use an ATM or GPS, watch TV, send an email, or surf the net, you have more than likely used space-enabled technology. Satellite technology, and our modern way of life, is threatened by the mounting risk of collisions between satellites and space debris. This risk currently threatens individual spacecraft and ultimately the viability of the entire space environment. Although this is a global problem, Australia is a world leader in optical space tracking which has emerged as a key technology for protecting satellites. Australian infrastructure and debris data now offer the most expeditious route for research, development and feasibility testing of diverse global efforts to protect satellites from debris. The CRC for Space Environment Management (SEMCRC), managed by the Space Environment Research Centre (SERC) has been established to build on Australian and international expertise in measurement, monitoring, analysis and management of space debris and to develop technologies to preserve the space environment. SERC brings together expertise and resources from leading universities, international space agencies and commercial research providers to mitigate and ultimately remove the risk of space debris collisions. SERC is a collaboration between government agencies, universities and space industry professionals from Australia, USA and Japan. This group of participants represents each major tier of commercial space activity and satellite operators. SERC participants are EOS Space Systems, RMIT University, The Australian National University, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Optus Satellite Systems and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT Japan).