Did you know Australia is a third nation to launch a satellite from its own territory? Launched from Woomera, it orbited Earth 642 times over 42 days.
Source: https://www.space.gov.au
 Photo credit: Defence Science and Technology Group | WRESAT-1 (WRE Satellite) was developed by the Weapons Research Establishment (WRE), which managed the Woomera Range, and the University of Adelaide. WRESAT was launched from Woomera on 29 November 1967, using a rocket donated by the US. The flight made Australia one of the earliest nations to launch its own satellite. WRESAT operated for five days. Although designated WRESAT-1, the satellite had no successor, as the government of the day decided not to proceed with an Australian space program. Launched 23 January 1970, Australis-OSCAR 5 (AO-5) was constructed by students at Melbourne University. It was the first amateur radio satellite built outside the US. AO-5 was built using easily sourced parts, such as antennae made of flexible steel tape from a hardware shop. Weighing only 17.7 kilograms, AO-5 was the first amateur satellite to use a passive magnetic attitude stabilisation system, and a command system to turn its transmitter on and off. It transmitted for about six weeks, but the satellite remains in orbit. |
Source: https://www.space.gov.au
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