South Australia is reinforcing its position at the forefront of defence and space innovation through a national collaboration aimed at detecting hypersonic threats from orbit.

The Space-based Sensor for Hypersonic Missile Early Warning project, part of the iLAuNCH Trailblazer program, will design and demonstrate an advanced small-satellite system that combines infrared detection technology with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

This capability will enable faster, more accurate detection of hypersonic vehicles; a critical requirement for Australia’s national security and a key focus under AUKUS Pillar II technology collaboration.

This project showcases the strength of collaboration across states and industry, bringing together Australian National University (ANU), University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), Adelaide University, Spiral Blue and Northrop Grumman Australia.

Each partner contributes unique expertise: ANU brings experience in electro-optical systems and payload design, UniSQ knowledge of hypersonic aerothermodynamics while Adelaide University is a leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Professor Colin Hall from Adelaide University said the collaboration gives researchers the opportunity to apply advanced AI and machine learning to a complex challenge for Defence.

“The collaborative nature of the iLaunch Trailblazer has brough industry and all three universities together to address this complex challenge. Adelaide University are able to apply its AI/ML capabilities to hypersonic signature recognition in this critical project.”

Meanwhile industry partners Spiral Blue will provide on-board space-edge computing hardware, and Northrop Grumman Australia will undertake mission engineering and validation of operational concepts.

By combining these specialist skills, the project is building sovereign capability in space-based sensing and hypersonic threat detection.

Matt Opie, Chief Executive of Defence SA and the South Australian Space Industry Centre, said the collaboration demonstrates how South Australia’s strengths in artificial intelligence and space technology are driving national capability.

“South Australia is at the forefront of defence and space innovation, and this project demonstrates our leadership in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Through strong national collaboration across industry and academia, we are harnessing our strengths in space to develop novel technologies and sovereign capabilities to safeguard Australia from emerging threats,” Mr Opie said.

Initially announced in August 2024, the project was showcased at the South Australia stand at Indo Pacific 2025.

The Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLaunch) Trailblazer is an Australian Government Department of Education Program led by the UniSQ in partnership with the ANU and the University of South Australia.

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Photo: Representatives from iLaunch Trailblazer and Northrop Grumman, Colin Hall, Deanne Barnett, Dushy Tissa, Robert Denney, and Jake Adams, with Defence SA Chief Executive Matt Opie at the Defence State stand at Indo Pacific in Sydney.