UWA launches International Space Centre

A new International Space Centre at The University of Western Australia will combine leading space science, research and teaching capabilities, advance our ability to operate from space and enable the development of innovative technology to enhance and sustain life on Earth and beyond. 

A multi-disciplinary UWA team that includes more than 12 research nodes, 150 researchers and 20 PhD students will collaborate across areas ranging from optical communications, astrophysics, health, agriculture, engineering, information technology, and social studies.

"Through this Centre, we will collaborate with partners to transfer knowledge, develop technological innovations and carry out impactful research."

Associate Professor Danail Obreschkow

Scientists will study the effects of gravity and space on human physiology and plant biology, support space exploration and construct environments that allow us to live and work far from Earth. 

Interim Head of the International Space Centre, UWA Associate Professor Danail Obreschkow (Australian Research Council Future Fellow), said the centre would harness UWA’s world-class space research to build partnerships that contribute to the ongoing growth of Australia’s space industry.

Left to right: UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Science Hon. Dave Kelly MLA and UWA Professor Danail Obreschkow.

“The Centre will build on WA’s strength in mining, astronomy, data, communications and remote operations, and support the diversification of the WA economy and jobs growth in high skill areas,” Associate Professor Obreschkow said.

“Through this Centre, we will collaborate with partners to transfer knowledge, develop technological innovations and carry out impactful research. The Centre will also provide new education opportunities for our students and industry.”

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said advancing our ability to work and live in space had enormous implications for human development and innovation.

“There is still much to learn about space and this Centre will be an important step forward in providing new research and knowledge, integral to our future,” Professor Chakma said. 

“For more than half a century, UWA has been actively involved in space research and developing space technologies. 

"There is still much to learn about space and this Centre will be an important step forward in providing new research and knowledge, integral to our future."

UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amit Chakma

“The International Space Centre is an acknowledgement of this, and our own signal that we want to do more and that we will.

“It brings together people who can fire each other’s imagination and the possibilities of what they can achieve together are vast.”

The Centre was launched by WA Minister for Science, the Hon. Dave Kelly MLA, and Federal Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC.

For more information, visit the International Space Centre website.