lindley@syd.dit.CSIRO.AU (Craig.Lindley) (06/26/91)
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australian Space Engineering and Research Association Ltd General Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Australian Space Engineering and Research Association (ASERA) Ltd is a recently incorporated, non-profit Association dedicated to conducting a space science and technology R&D program in Australia. ASERA was founded in July 1990, and currently has about sixty members. The initial models for ASERA are the various international AMSAT organisations. AMSAT has successfully constructed, launched, and operated more than 20 small satellites during the past three decades. The satellites fall into the "microsat" category, with a mass range from 10kg to 500 kg. AMSAT has demonstrated that it is possible to conduct small satellite projects at very low cost, and nevertheless achieve genuine scientific results. In particular, the University of Surrey's Spacecraft Engineering Research Unit has designed and fabricated 50 kg microsats which are valuable enough to the aerospace industry that the operation now receives 95% external funding. ASERA is an independent organisation initiating a similar activity in Australia. We are planning to build a microsat based upon a design developed by the North American Amateur Satellite organization, AMSAT-NA. Negotiations for the use of the AMSAT-NA design are substantially complete, and ASERA is currently raising the necessary $20 000 required by AMSAT-NA for the use of the design information. In addition to the construction of our own microsatellite, ASERA is providing an imaging system which will be carried on an international AMSAT satellite called Phase IIID. This spacecraft will be the most sophisticated that AMSAT has yet built, with a total span (including solar sails) of 6m. The main body structure will be 2m in diameter. The ASERA imaging system is currently being constructed by an ASERA group in Canberra. In addition to the small spacecraft program, ASERA also supports the AUSROC small rocket program, managed by Mark Blair in Adelaide. AUSROC II is currently nearing completion. It is a rocket designed to reach an altitude of ~15 km. After that, AUSROC III will be started. Many projects associated with AUSROC III have been allocated to various Australian universities. The intention is to construct a sounding rocket capable of reaching an altitude of 400 km. Discussions have commenced regarding the development of a simplified version of AUSROC II in NSW. Membership of ASERA, and participation in ASERA projects, is open to anyone with sufficient enthusiasm and motivation. If you wish to be part of the process of building Australia's first complete rocket and satellite systems since the 1960s, send us a message by email or normal mail, and we will send you more information, and appropriate membership forms. A corporate membership category is available for companies or universities that wish to become involved, or wish to support ASERA with donations of cash, services, or equipment. We are also happy to collaborate with other projects, including undergraduate or postgraduate R&D projects. Please send us postal reply addresses only. Further information is available from: ASERA Ltd. P.O. Box 184 Ryde N.S.W. 2112 Ph. B:(02) 887 9441 AH: (02) 807 1192 or by email: lindley@syd.dit.csiro.au -- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Lindley ( lindley@ditsyda.oz ) CSIRO Division of Info. Tech., Sydney.