CANBERRA — In a major advancement for sovereign space capability, HEO and UNSW Canberra Space researchers have partnered to execute Australia’s first Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) mission featuring an active propulsion system.
Supported by funding from the Defence Trailblazer’s Advanced Innovation Fund, the project utilizes HEO’s recently acquired Continuum-1 satellite as a dedicated in-orbit testbed.
The mission marks the first time an Australian entity will perform fuel-efficient, tactically relevant proximity maneuvers using active propulsion. This builds upon UNSW Canberra Space’s previous flight heritage, specifically its 2021-2023 demonstration of propulsionless RPO formation flying.
Space Domain Awareness and Technical Objectives
The collaboration focuses on establishing three pillars of Australian space sovereignty: RPO maneuvers, close-range satellite monitoring, and the generation of high-fidelity data for sensor networks. The project will address critical operational challenges, including:
- Fuel Optimization: Validating algorithms for complex maneuvers with minimal propellant consumption.
- Proximity Imaging: Optimizing lighting conditions and geometry for sub-meter resolution inspection of orbital assets.
- SDA Calibration: Providing real-world “ground truth” data to calibrate domestic sensor networks, allowing analysts to better distinguish between routine operations and potential orbital threats.
Sovereign Testbed: Continuum-1
The mission’s operational platform, Continuum-1, was acquired by HEO from Satellogic in late January 2026. Formerly known as NewSat-34, the legacy Mark IV-g satellite is the first sub-meter resolution asset owned and operated by an Australian company.
“When we acquired Continuum-1 several weeks ago, we committed to establishing a sovereign testbed that would accelerate R&D and serve Australia’s national interests,” said Dr. Will Crowe, CEO and co-founder of HEO. “This partnership with UNSW Canberra Space delivers on that promise… we’re committed to building foundational skills Australia has never had before.”
Defense Integration and Workforce Development
The project aligns with Australian Defence priorities to integrate commercial innovation into resilient space architectures. Led by Associate Professor Melrose Brown, Director of UNSW Canberra Space and Defence Trailblazer Theme Lead, the research team will apply expertise in mission design and sensor modeling to bridge the gap between academic research and defense-ready applications.
“This project brings those capabilities together with HEO’s operational platform to deliver real manoeuvres, real data, and real-world validation,” said Associate Professor Brown. He noted that the mission will also help establish Australia’s first experimental SDA Operations Centre on the UNSW campus.
Timeline and Implementation
Following the acquisition of Continuum-1 in January, the joint team is now moving into the mission planning phase for the RPO maneuvers. The validated algorithms and data resulting from the project are expected to immediately strengthen training and technology development for future Australian Defence Space Command operations.
