Australia’s first hyperspectral imager succeeds in orbit 

• Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has captured its first hyperspectral image from orbit.
• The CyanoSat payload is the first Australian designed and built hyperspectral imager to reach orbit, having launched in June aboard a Skykraft satellite.
• The goals of the test launch included testing onboard electronics, short burst image captures, and remote reprogramming of the payload while on orbit, onboard processing algorithms—each of which were successfully accomplished.
• The imager is designed to uniquely differentiate harmful cyanobacteria from other algae in coastal and inland waterways.

A team of Australian engineers and researchers have captured their first hyperspectral image from orbit, building domestic capability in satellite payload design and manufacture.

The CyanoSat payload was designed and built in just 18 months by CSIRO in partnership with the University of Adelaide at its labs in the Braggs Building on North Terrace campus. The instrument captures hyperspectral images, collecting spectra for each individual pixel to determine the composition of objects such as rocks at the Earth’s surface. CyanoSat’s imager is designed to differentiate harmful cyanobacteria from other algae in coastal and inland waterways.

“There were lot of doubts about whether we could get it done on time, and we had a lot of struggles with lockdowns and electronic parts shortages.  There were times we couldn’t travel or even go to work in our own labs, but the passion of the team and the support of our partners was crucial,” said Dr Stephen Gensemer, the project leader. 

Nevertheless, the payload was launched on time aboard a Skykraft satellite, with support from partners across the country including UniSA’s Future Industries Institute.

“We’re thrilled to have helped make the CyanoSat test flight a success.  The collaboration is a great example of how an Australian space company can support new research of national significance by piggybacking off our commercial Air Traffic Management constellation development,” said Dr Doug Griffin, Chief Engineer at Skykraft. 

The CyanoSat payload successfully tested its onboard electronics, short burst image captures, remote reprogramming, and onboard processing algorithms.

“This data shows us that here in Australia we can design and build a sophisticated payload, custom-built for a specific application, integrate it into a satellite, and have it operating on orbit all within a very short period of time,” Dr Gensemer said. 

The technology has applications beyond just satellites—the team is also investigating imagers for unmanned aerial vehicles and high-altitude balloons. 

And the team’s goals don’t just stop with hyperspectral imagers. The team is eager to turn their capability to other challenges faced by Australia and its space sector. 

The Space Optics Team is reviewing the CyanoSat imager’s engineering data, with plans to launch a second payload into orbit in 2024.