2 October University of Western Australia (UWA) announced the completion of TeraNet, the first active network of optical ground stations in the Southern Hemisphere. The project was presented at the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Emphasizing its importance for the development of research and strengthening of Australia's international partnership in the sphere of space.
Teranet consists of three interrelated stations. TN-1, located on the UWA campus in Perth, focused on communicating with deep space vehicles, including commercial lunar missions. TN-2, opened in September at the Yarragady Geodetic Observatory for 300 km north of Perth, equipped with coherent optics and adaptive optics systems for high-precision measurements. TN-3 is a mobile station, intended for rapid deployment in the regions, affected by emergency situations.
The launch of TeraNet is a major milestone for Australia's space industry. The combination of stationary objects with a mobile node creates a unique platform for strengthening international space communications. in addition, the network increases the sovereign capabilities of the country in the fields of geodesy, satellite positioning and national security.
Source: https://spacenews.com