Connecting Edith Cowan University to the Space Economy

PROJECT OVERVIEW 

Edith Cowan University partnered with Av-Comm Space & Defence to establish a new satellite ground station, strengthening its ability to provide students and researchers with hands-on access to operational space infrastructure. The installation enhances Australia’s sovereign space capability, supports the Western Australian Space Industry Strategy 2024-30, and is expected to contribute to Stage 2 of NASA’s IGNIS mission. 

CHALLENGE 

Edith Cowan University has established a strong research program and growing CubeSat capability, providing students with a solid foundation in space technologies and satellite systems. As the University’s space initiatives continued to expand, the next step was to complement these strengths with direct access to live satellite tracking and communications infrastructure, enabling students and researchers to engage with low-Earth orbit missions in real time. 

 Key opportunities included: 

• Enhancing hands-on experience with RF systems, satellite tracking, telemetry, and command operations alongside existing theoretical learning. 

• Strengthening workforce readiness by providing graduates with greater exposure to operational mission environments before entering industry. 

• Expanding the University’s ability to pursue additional research collaborations and funding opportunities that require on-campus satellite communications capability. 

• Building on ECU’s competitive position by offering practical infrastructure comparable with leading universities and interstate institutions. 

 The installation of a satellite tracking capability represents a natural progression of ECU’s investment in space research, transforming an already strong academic program into one that combines research excellence with practical, real-world operational experience. 

SOLUTION 

ECU partnered with Av-Comm Space and Defence, Australia’s only wide-band antenna system manufacturer, to design and install a state-of-the-art satellite ground station and antenna system at its Joondalup campus. 

Phase 1 – Infrastructure Design and Installation 

A Cassowary multi-orbit antenna system and a Yagi UHF/VHF antenna was designed and engineered by Av-Comm to enable real-time tracking and communications with low-earth orbit satellites. The system was built to support tracking, earth observation and satellite communications from a single integrated facility. 

Phase 2 – Research and Mission Integration  

 The ground station was positioned to contribute directly to national and international research priorities, including support for Stage 2 of NASA’s IGNIS Mission, assisting with the mapping and monitoring of thermal activity and lightning patterns. The facility also underpins an Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite project developing a software-defined radio platform for rapid, high-precision drone detection. 

Phase 3 – Embedding the Facility into Teaching and Strategy 

The ground station was woven into ECU’s research and teaching programs, giving students direct experience with real satellite missions and aligning the university’s capability with the Western Australian Space Industry Strategy 2024–30. 

RESULT 

The facility enables students to move beyond simulation-based learning and engage directly with live satellite missions. Through hands-on operation of the ground station, students develop skills in satellite tracking, RF communications, spectrum analysis, equipment maintenance, and CubeSat mission operations, significantly enhancing workforce readiness and industry relevance. 

CONCLUSION 

By installing a fully operational satellite ground station, ECU has moved space and defence education from theory into practice, giving students and researchers direct access to mission operations, real-time data and the infrastructure shaping Australia’s sovereign space capability. 

Associate Professor Leslie Sikos, ECU’s Associate Dean of Computing and Security, said the infrastructure incorporates the latest design and most sophisticated technology available, achieving the university’s goals of tracking satellites, conducting earth observation and enabling satellite communications. 

Associate Professor Stacey Reinke, Executive Dean of the School of Science, noted in a testimonial that:

“The installation of our satellite ground station has been instrumental in advancing Edith Cowan University’s space research and education capabilities. The project was delivered professionally, with a strong commitment to quality, technical expertise and collaboration. The team worked closely with ECU throughout the installation process, ensuring the system was delivered to the highest standard and integrated seamlessly into our research infrastructure. This capability is already providing our students and researchers with hands-on access to real-world satellite communications and supporting the University’s growing contribution to Australia’s space sector. We are pleased to recommend their services to organisations seeking a trusted and highly capable partner for complex ground station installations.”

This case shows how strategic infrastructure investment, industry partnership and a clear alignment with state and national priorities can transform a university’s standing in an emerging, innovation-driven sector.