Flinders University researchers have joined a cutting-edge international team as part of the recent SpaceX launch of the Kanyini CubeSat.

This mission marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Flinders University, the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW), and Green Adelaide, backed by a $200,000 grant from the SmartSat CRC.

The project aims to test the capabilities of a thermal infrared sensor aboard the Kanyini satellite to map urban heatwaves across South Australia. By integrating thermal data from Kanyini with information from other satellites, including Landsat, Sentinel-3, VIIRS, and MODIS, the team plans to develop detailed heat maps of urban areas. This research is crucial for understanding how urban green spaces can mitigate the effects of heatwaves, according to Associate Professor David Bruce, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert at Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering.

This initiative is further strengthened by collaboration with climate tech company Hydrosat, known for utilizing thermal imagery to combat climate change. As part of Hydrosat's Early Adopter Program, Flinders University will access data from Hydrosat’s VanZyl-1 satellite, enhancing the research alongside Kanyini's data.

Associate Professor Bruce and research assistant Michael Hillman will focus on calibrating and validating the thermal infrared data from Kanyini's ‘Waru’ sensor against ground-based measurements. The goal is to achieve accurate daily mapping of urban surface temperatures, potentially correlating hotspots in Adelaide and other cities with factors like heat stroke incidents, energy use, and the cooling impact of vegetation.

DEW and Green Adelaide are particularly interested in utilizing the land surface temperature (LST) data to identify urban heat islands. Combining this data with tree canopy information could help prioritize areas for urban greening, especially in the context of a changing climate.

SmartSat CRC CEO, Professor Andy Koronios, highlighted the importance of this mission: “Until now, we relied on foreign satellites for images of our state, limiting our access to timely and detailed visuals. The Kanyini mission showcases our ability to capture images tailored to specific applications, transforming them into actionable intelligence for South Australian state departments.”

The Kanyini satellite is one of 116 satellites launched as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-11 Mission, which took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This 6-Unit CubeSat represents the culmination of years of effort from SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre, the South Australian Space Industry Centre, Adelaide-based Inovor Technologies, and global IoT provider Myriota.

SpaceX’s Transporter-11 is the company’s 11th dedicated small satellite rideshare mission, designed to carry multiple small satellites to low-Earth orbit.