Vignette 85: Australia's first satellite

The University played a key role in launching Australia’s first satellite in 1967. The name of the satellite, WRESAT, was developed in a joint venture between the former Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) and the University. This was a landmark in Australian science and fundamental in developing South Australia’s space industry. 

The project was led by Bryan Rofe, WRE and Professor John Carver, the Elder Professor and Head of the Department of Physics at the University. An extraordinary feat of organisation commenced in early 1967, with 11 months to design, build, test, and execute the satellite launch. Weighing 45 kg and measuring 1.59 m, the satellite was built at WRE, with the development of experimental instrumentation and testing conducted at the University. 

The satellite launched on 29 November 1967, from the Woomera Rocket Range and re-entered the atmosphere on 10 January 1968 over the Atlantic. Nothing of it remains. Australia became the third country to launch its own satellite into space from its own territory.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Leading for the future. p.119