​Australia joins with UK to deliver large-scale water quality monitoring from space

Australia’s AquaWatch system, a mission to develop a ‘weather service’ for water quality will be established in the UK, following bilateral support and co-funding from the two countries’ space agencies.

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, launched AquaWatch Australia in 2023 with foundational partner SmartSat CRC and a network of collaborators to develop a national system for monitoring water quality, including early warning forecasts.

Since launching, AquaWatch has established multiple test sites with the ability to monitor bays, coastal wetlands, rivers, dams, lakes, aquaculture farming and coral reefs, including the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

The creation of AquaWatch UK is the first time the initiative will be rolled out by another country on a national scale, expanding on a test site at Plymouth Sound.

AquaWatch was announced as a supported project under the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund, with co-funding from the Australian Space Agency, as part of the longstanding UK-Australia Space Bridge initiative.

Under the UK-Australia Space Bridge, partners will receive funding to advance the AquaWatch system in Australia and establish AquaWatch in the UK, leveraging expertise and technology across both countries.

AquaWatch Australia Mission Lead, Dr Alex Held, said AquaWatch integrates data from both a network of water-based sensors and satellite sensors.

“It’s a system we’re developing for Australia, but that can be adapted for other countries in need of national near-real time updates and forecasts,” Dr Held said.

“The importance of high-quality satellite data for AquaWatch means that global collaborations such as this help to enhance the system for everyone.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said this funding builds on the collaboration fostered through the UK-Australia Space Bridge.

“By working with our international partners like the UK, we can continue to grow the Australian space sector while delivering outcomes that benefit communities in both of our nations,” Mr Palermo said.

“Projects like AquaWatch reiterate how space technology, like Earth observation, can help address the biggest global challenges we are facing, as well as the power of working together to solve a common problem.”

SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre CEO, Professor Andy Koronios, said SmartSat established strong ties with the UK space industry with the first UK Space Bridge initiative, funding five outstanding joint research initiatives in 2021.

“The AquaWatch UK project further underscores SmartSat’s commitment to delivering next-generation technologies and innovative projects that will accelerate the space sector in both Australia and the UK,” Prof Koronios said.

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) will be the leading partner for delivering AquaWatch in the UK.

Clive Oates, Head of Australia SSTL, said the collaborative AquaWatch AUK project will build on SSTL’s strong commitment to the UK-Australia Space Bridge to help unleash the potential of disruptive space technologies and develop a world class integrated water quality monitoring and forecasting system for implementation across Australia, UK and beyond.

Projects like AquaWatch showcase the role of space technology in tackling global challenges through collaboration.

Read the full press release here.