CSIRO Test-bed Antenna. Credit: CSIRO

By Rich Bowden:

A new collaborative space division has been formed at Australia’s CSIRO, which will bring together the country’s radio astronomy, deep space tracking and communication activities.

The CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science (CASS), will include CSIRO’s radio astronomy capabilities (the Australia Telescope National Facility), NASA Operations (including the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex), CSIRO Space Sciences and Technology; and the CSIRO Boeing Advisor, according to a December 1 news statement released by the organisation.

The new umbrella group will encompass a wide range of space-related activities including radio astronomy, deep space tracking and communication activities on behalf of NASA. It will also be responsible for space science coordination, advanced aerospace business development, and national/international facilities management, said the CSIRO.

“CASS also supports the increasing alignment of astronomy and space science in Australia and will strengthen CSIRO and Australia’s positioning to host and operate the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) the $3 billion next-generation international radio astronomy facility,” Dr Megan Clark, CSIRO chief executive said.

The man who will oversee the work of CASS, CSIRO Group Executive for Information Sciences, Dr Alex Zelinsky, said the move was an important step.

“CASS will be primarily responsible for outcomes through the management of the Australia Telescope National Facility, and through the newly approved direct management of the CDSCC [Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex] Facility, as well as CSIRO Space Sciences and Technology (CSST),” Dr Zelinsky said.

“The move by CSIRO to take on direct management of CDSCC from late February 2010 is a strategic step.”

The news release said recruitment for the position of Chief of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science is continuing with current Australian Telescope National Facility (ATNF) Acting Director, Dr Lewis Ball, acting as chief of CASS until a permanent head is chosen.

“Bringing CSIRO’s activities in space science and astronomy together is consistent with the recent identification of Astronomy and Space Science as one of the Australian Government’s three ’Super Science’ priorities,” Dr Ball said.

“Under the new structure, CSIRO’s impact in radio astronomy and space science will continue to grow with the whole being much greater than the sum of the parts.”

Tags: australia space, CASS, CSIRO, megan clark, square kilometre array