Av-Comm Space & Defence has successfully completed the installation of a UHF/VHF Yagi antenna system at the University of Sydney, supporting the university’s CubeSat and SmallSat research initiatives.
Project Summary
The deployment provides a dedicated ground segment capability for telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations, enabling students and researchers to develop, test, and operate satellite missions in-house. The project forms part of Av-Comm’s broader commitment to supporting Australian universities with accessible and reliable space infrastructure.
Av-Comm’s Yagi antenna is now supporting communications with the Waratah Seed-1 (link: https://waratahseed.space/ ) mission. Designed and delivered by the CUAVA Training Centre, Waratah Seed-1 is Australia’s first rideshare CubeSat mission, carrying technologies from universities, startups and industry partners to demonstrate and flight-qualify Australian-developed innovations in low Earth orbit. More than a year after launch, the spacecraft continues to operate successfully, providing invaluable opportunities for technology validation, workforce development and commercialisation across the Australian space sector.
The project highlights the critical role of domestic ground segment capability in enabling Australia’s growing space industry. Av-Comm is proud to support research institutions and missions that foster sovereign capability, helping train the next generation of engineers and scientists while proving Australian technologies on orbit. As a sovereign Australian manufacturer, we are equally proud to see our locally manufactured antenna systems contributing to nationally significant missions and strengthening the end-to-end capability of Australia’s space ecosystem.
Project Delivery
Av-Comm delivered a complete, integrated solution including antenna supply, installation, and commissioning. The system incorporates automated satellite tracking using TLE data, an electrically driven elevation-over-azimuth rotator with high pointing accuracy, and integrated tools for pass scheduling and visualisation.
The installation was designed with operational flexibility in mind, offering both non-penetrating and permanent mounting options, as well as a winch-up mast to simplify maintenance and improve safety for on-site operators.
System Capability
The deployed system enables:
- Reliable, repeatable operation for training and mission support
- UHF/VHF TT&C for CubeSat and SmallSat missions
- Automated satellite tracking and control
- Satellite pass prediction, scheduling, and visualisation
The completed ground station provides the University of Sydney with a scalable platform for hands-on satellite mission development, supporting education, research, and early-stage mission operations.
