It’s official! SSTC has launched!

The largest planetary research group in the Southern Hemisphere has come together under one banner—the Space Science and Technology Centre at Curtin University.

The Centre was officially launched on Friday the 7th of December, with an intimate opening ceremony held at the Old Boys School in the heart of the CBD.

“In the last month alone, our centre’s researchers have been busy delivering the science behind missions that involve the launch of two spacecraft that will perform an orbital dance around Mercury, the landing of a robot on Mars and the manoeuvring of a spacecraft close enough to a moving asteroid in order to collect vital information,” said SSTC Director and John Curtin Distinguished Professor Phil Bland.

“Our group represents the largest planetary research endeavour of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, to help unlock many more of the Solar System’s greatest mysteries by driving scientific, technological and commercial innovation, and hopefully inspiring the next generation of space and planetary scientists, and engineers.”

Professor Bland was joined by Professor Deborah Terry AO, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Moran, DVCR, Curtin University, and the Hon Linda Reynolds, Senator for Western Australia in launching the centre.

Friends, colleagues and students enjoyed artworks from the ‘Planetary Perceptions of Our Time’ exhibition by Curtin illustration students and spent the evening discussing the exciting possibilities for future planetary research within the SSTC.

“It was wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues at the launch. I’m very excited to be setting out on this adventure with this amazing team,” said Professor Bland.

Read more about the significance of the launch in Curtin University’s recent media release.