Curtin University is actively engaged in a variety of research initiatives spanning Earth and planetary science, innovative space technologies, radio astronomy, and space missions.
Earth and Planetary Science
The Earth Dynamics Research Group focuses on the distribution, evolution, and processes of Earth's tectonic plates, examining their relevance to Earth's resources and environments.
The Western Australian Geodesy Group utilizes advanced instrumentation and software to create high-resolution gravity field models for the Moon and Mars. These models are made publicly available for scientific and educational purposes.
The Global Navigation Satellite Systems Research Centre is developing theories, models, methods, and algorithms to advance the next generation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems. This work aims to address future geospatial information needs across Earth, atmospheric, and space sciences.
Innovative Technologies
The Binar Space Program, which launched Western Australia's first satellites, involves Curtin staff and students in engineering and operating small spacecraft. The program collaborates with schools, industry partners (including AVI, QL Space, CSIRO, and the German Aerospace Centre DLR), and science organizations to develop and deploy payloads for operational missions.
As part of the Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) consortium, Curtin's planetary scientists are developing technology for remote operations. This technology is applicable to controlling vehicles in mining and managing life support systems on Mars.
The Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, located near the Curtin Perth campus, provides data visualization, simulation, and supercomputing capabilities. These resources support the development and implementation of solutions for future challenges within the space industry.
Radio Astronomy
The Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy is responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), a low-frequency radio telescope. The MWA has been instrumental in providing new insights into the evolution of Earth's ionosphere and has identified over 300,000 new radio galaxies.
Curtin is also a partner in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The university collaborates with CSIRO and The University of Western Australia to construct the Australian component of what is projected to be the world's largest radio telescope.
Space Missions
Researchers from the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC) hold science team memberships with NASA, JAXA, and ESA. Curtin engineers have developed deep-space qualified hardware that is currently operating on the surfaces of Mars and Titan.
Additionally, Curtin scientists are involved in the study of samples returned from the Moon and asteroids such as Ryuugu and Bennu, utilizing the university's analytical facilities.