Firsts in the Space Race. From an Australian perspective.

Australia in Space - a History
Third in Space --Thirty years of inaction -- Rebirth with FedSat 1
Sputnik launched 1957, Explorer 1 in 1958, then with WRESAT in 1967 Australia came third in the satellite league table, passing Canada's Alouette, and France's FR-1. See the Satellite Big league Table below.
Here come Australia's latest satellites, FedSat in 2002/3.
The caption above may be a little unfair (to Australia) as various Australian researchers have been involved with satellite science and technology over the years - but always using someone else's space vehicle. With FedSat 1, we at long last have the opportunity to launch and operate our own satellite.

Australian scientific satellites are:

WRESAT Launched 29 November 1967 from Woomera, South Australia.
Australis launched 23 Jan 1970 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, C alifornia. -- called by NASA OSCAR-5
ARIES Australian Resource Information and Environment Satellite t o be launched 2000
FedSat 1 to be launched in 2002/3 with a Japanese H-2A launcher.
The historic initial announcement of FedSat proposal and funding by Federal Science and Technology Minister, Peter McGauran
See Press Release FedSat on Track for Federation Launch
In addition to these scientific satellites, there have been a number of telecommunication satellites, including Aussat 1, 2, B1 and K3.

The Ancient History of Space Science in Australia

On 1 April 1947, the United Kingdom / Australian Joint Project came into existence and marks the commencement of Australian Space Program(s). In a memo to PM JB Chifley, 20 Sept 1946, it is stated that ".. this project ... without question put Australia in the very forefront of the most modern developments in ... Science." The project essentially came to an end with the launch of WRESAT in 1967. With the launching of WRESAT, Australia did indeed join the big league of nations launching satellites from their own territory, of which the US and the USSR were the only members at that date. But there was no ongoing Australian Space Program for over thirty years. The only exception to this statement was the launch in 1970 of the very modest Australian satellite, Australis, given a free launch by NASA, which called it Oscar-5. Australis was a simple beacon satellite, like Sputnik -1, with on-board receivers to control powering down (to conserve its alkaline batteries.)
But over thirty years, while communication satellites became commonplace, there were no further Australian developmental or scientific satellites. However, at the start of the next millenium, this dream of fifty years ago may yet come true. CRC SS Chair Tony Staley has prophesised that "the FedSat project would generate a new spirit of nat ional confidence and encourage young Australians to set their sights on the star s." See Mission of FedSat

The Special Possibilities for FedSat GPS

The special opportunity and challenge that FedSat presents is to use the signals from GPS and Glonass satellites to probe the atmospher and ionosphere. Better knowledge of atmosphere temperature and water vapour content, has great promise to improve weather prediction. Better knowledge of the ionosphere (and plasmasphere) -- the so-called space weather -- is vital to satellite communication and the application of long range radar. Yet GPS system became fully operational only in 1995. FedSat's exciting use of GPS features in the ATMOZ - GPS Project For the technically inclined, see the Overview of GPS = Global Positioning System Compare with Russian system GLONASS

FedSat 1 and International Collaboration in Space Science

With FedSat, Australian scientists can for the first time in 30 years participate fully in space science. We shall participate in Mission to Planet Earth the Satellite Data Information Scheme devised by NASA. Now adopted by COSSA for use in Australia's space program

First Nations into Space

The Big League Table of the Nations That Have Launched Satellites
1 Russia Sputnik 01, launched on October 4, 1957 from Central Russia
2 USA Launched first successful satellite Explorer 1, January 31, 1958
Canada launched Alouette 1, 2 Sept 1962, 25 Nov 1965 from Vandenberg (US) .
NOT OWN TERRITORY - SCRATCHED
France launched FR-1 satellite from Algeria 6 Dec 1965
NOT OWN TERRITORY - SCRATCHED

3 Australia launchel WRESAT 29 November 1967 from Woomera, South Australia.

Sputnik launched 1957, Explorer 1 in 1958, then with WRESAT in 1967 Australia came third in the satellite league table, passing Canada's Alouette, and France's FR-1. Although Australia was at the forefront of Man's initial steps into space, the retirement of Sir Robert Menzies as PM heralded a long era of neglect of satellite technology. See The history of Australia in space

Firsts in Space Milestones in Space Technology

FIRST SPACE WALK The first "space-walk" by the Russian Leonov on March 18,1965
FIRST SPACE WALK The first US astronaut to perform a (tethered) space walk: Ed White. Date: June 3-7, 1965.
STS-41B FIRST SPACE WALK STS-41B: The First Untethered Space Walk. Orbiter: Challenger Launched: February 3, 1984 Landed: February 11, 1984
FIRST SPACE WALK First Extravehicular Activity
25 November, 1997
Japanese astronaut Takao Doi and NASA astronaut Winston Scott grabbed malfunctioning spinning satellite from the shuttle.

CHRONOLOGY OF COMMUNICATIONS SATELLIES
NASA web document simply entitled Chronology gives a complete listing of dates for communications satellites.

1929 Noordung describes radio communications with space station in geosynchronous orbit, large antennas, solar power

1945 Rand study by Ridenour proposed synchronous communication relay system
1946 Arthur C. Clarke shows how three stations in synchronous orbit provide global coverage in article "Extra-Terrestrial Relays"
1954 Naval Research Lab relays radio voice message using Moon Earth -to -Earth Speech Communication via Satellite
First instance of radio communication via a satellite, in this case a natural satellite.
Oct 1957 Sputnik First Radio Broadcasts from Space
Only beeps -- but listened to by millions
1959 Moon Link - Washington DC and Hawaii Moon Relay Defence Communication
An operational system
July 10, 1962 Telstar I launched First (commercial) telephone satellite
NASA with AT&T . Geostationary.

Feb 14, 1963 Syncom I launched
NASA + Hughes

Apr 6, 1965 Comsat's Early Bird launched

Oct 26, 1966 Intelsat IIA launched

Dec 7, 1966 ATS 1 launched

December 13, 1962
Relay II, launched on Relay 1
Relay II First commercial Tv transmission
Tokyo Olympics transmitted from US to Europe (1964)

Mariner 10 First Planetary Sling Shot
Mariner 10 was the first space vehicle to use the gravitational pull of one planet (Venus) to reach another (Mercury). Launched November 3, 1973, Mariner 10 was for a short time a solar satellite, in orbit about the sun.

Pioneer 10 and 11 were the first two Space Vehicles to Escape from the Solar System

Pioneer 10 was launched on March 2, 1972.
Pioneer 11 was launched on April 5, 1973.
See History of Space Exploration: Pioneer 10 & 11 Spacecraft
The famous 6 inch by 9 inch plaque with a message to aliens, was attached to the casing of both Pioneer 10 and 11.

First Nations into Space
The Big League Table of the Nations That Have Launched Satellites
	1	Russia Sputnik 01, launched on October 4, 1957 from Central Russia
	2	USA Launched first successful satellite Explorer 1, January 31, 1958
		Canada launched Alouette 1, 2 Sept 1962, 25 Nov 1965 from Vandenberg (US) . NOT OWN TERRITORY - SCRATCHED
		France launched FR-1 satellite from Algeria 6 Dec 1965 NOT OWN TERRITORY - SCRATCHED
	3	Australia launchel WRESAT 29 November 1967 from Woomera, South Australia.

Click to read the latest News About Satellites, with an Australian Flavour.

The graphic to the left shows radar being bounced off the sea from the Topex-Poseidon Satellite. Used by an Australian researcher to monitor the ionosphere over the Southern Ocean.

See also, Holes in the Ionosphere
over Tasmania.

Enquiries and comments to the Webmaster Dr Harvey A. Cohen

GPS Signal Science in the CRCSS

CRCSS Home Page

	Australian scientific satellites are:
	WRESAT Launched 29 November 1967 from Woomera, South Australia.
	Australis launched 23 Jan 1970 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, C alifornia. -- called by NASA OSCAR-5
	ARIES Australian Resource Information and Environment Satellite t o be launched 2000
	FedSat 1 to be launched in 2002/3 with a Japanese H-2A launcher. The historic initial announcement of FedSat proposal and funding by Federal Science and Technology Minister, Peter McGauran See Press Release FedSat on Track for Federation Launch
	In addition to these scientific satellites, there have been a number of telecommunication satellites, including Aussat 1, 2, B1 and K3.
The Ancient History of Space Science in Australia
	On 1 April 1947, the United Kingdom / Australian Joint Project came into existence and marks the commencement of Australian Space Program(s). In a memo to PM JB Chifley, 20 Sept 1946, it is stated that ".. this project ... without question put Australia in the very forefront of the most modern developments in ... Science." The project essentially came to an end with the launch of WRESAT in 1967. With the launching of WRESAT, Australia did indeed join the big league of nations launching satellites from their own territory, of which the US and the USSR were the only members at that date. But there was no ongoing Australian Space Program for over thirty years. The only exception to this statement was the launch in 1970 of the very modest Australian satellite, Australis, given a free launch by NASA, which called it Oscar-5. Australis was a simple beacon satellite, like Sputnik -1, with on-board receivers to control powering down (to conserve its alkaline batteries.) But over thirty years, while communication satellites became commonplace, there were no further Australian developmental or scientific satellites. However, at the start of the next millenium, this dream of fifty years ago may yet come true. CRC SS Chair Tony Staley has prophesised that "the FedSat project would generate a new spirit of nat ional confidence and encourage young Australians to set their sights on the star s." See Mission of FedSat
The Special Possibilities for FedSat GPS
	The special opportunity and challenge that FedSat presents is to use the signals from GPS and Glonass satellites to probe the atmospher and ionosphere. Better knowledge of atmosphere temperature and water vapour content, has great promise to improve weather prediction. Better knowledge of the ionosphere (and plasmasphere) -- the so-called space weather -- is vital to satellite communication and the application of long range radar. Yet GPS system became fully operational only in 1995. FedSat's exciting use of GPS features in the ATMOZ - GPS Project For the technically inclined, see the Overview of GPS = Global Positioning System Compare with Russian system GLONASS
FedSat 1 and International Collaboration in Space Science

	With FedSat, Australian scientists can for the first time in 30 years participate fully in space science. We shall participate in Mission to Planet Earth the Satellite Data Information Scheme devised by NASA. Now adopted by COSSA for use in Australia's space program

	FIRST SPACE WALK	The first "space-walk" by the Russian Leonov on March 18,1965
	FIRST SPACE WALK	The first US astronaut to perform a (tethered) space walk: Ed White. Date: June 3-7, 1965.
STS-41B	FIRST SPACE WALK	STS-41B: The First Untethered Space Walk. Orbiter: Challenger Launched: February 3, 1984 Landed: February 11, 1984
	FIRST SPACE WALK	First Extravehicular Activity 25 November, 1997 Japanese astronaut Takao Doi and NASA astronaut Winston Scott grabbed malfunctioning spinning satellite from the shuttle.

CHRONOLOGY OF COMMUNICATIONS SATELLIES NASA web document simply entitled Chronology gives a complete listing of dates for communications satellites.
1929	Noordung describes radio communications with space station in geosynchronous orbit, large antennas, solar power
1945	Rand study by Ridenour proposed synchronous communication relay system
1946	Arthur C. Clarke shows how three stations in synchronous orbit provide global coverage in article "Extra-Terrestrial Relays"
1954	Naval Research Lab relays radio voice message using Moon	Earth -to -Earth Speech Communication via Satellite First instance of radio communication via a satellite, in this case a natural satellite.
Oct 1957	Sputnik	First Radio Broadcasts from Space Only beeps -- but listened to by millions
1959	Moon Link - Washington DC and Hawaii	Moon Relay Defence Communication An operational system
July 10, 1962	Telstar I launched	First (commercial) telephone satellite NASA with AT&T . Geostationary.
Feb 14, 1963	Syncom I launched NASA + Hughes
Apr 6, 1965	Comsat's Early Bird launched
Oct 26, 1966	Intelsat IIA launched
Dec 7, 1966	ATS 1 launched
December 13, 1962 Relay II, launched on	Relay 1 Relay II	First commercial Tv transmission Tokyo Olympics transmitted from US to Europe (1964)

Mariner 10	First Planetary Sling Shot Mariner 10 was the first space vehicle to use the gravitational pull of one planet (Venus) to reach another (Mercury). Launched November 3, 1973, Mariner 10 was for a short time a solar satellite, in orbit about the sun.
	Pioneer 10 and 11 were the first two Space Vehicles to Escape from the Solar System Pioneer 10 was launched on March 2, 1972. Pioneer 11 was launched on April 5, 1973. See History of Space Exploration: Pioneer 10 & 11 Spacecraft The famous 6 inch by 9 inch plaque with a message to aliens, was attached to the casing of both Pioneer 10 and 11.