SpIRIT captures an image of Uluru from space with a mobile phone camera

We’re thrilled to unveil an image of Uluru captured by the SpIRIT nanosatellite, which we think is the first time that this iconic and culturally significant landmark has been seen from space with a made-in-Australia satellite and imaging system.

This extraordinary view was made possible by the University of Melbourne Loris payload aboard the SpIRIT satellite, which hosts infrared and visible light cameras and an artificial intelligence experiment. The camera responsible for this amazing capture is not a high-end, costly piece of equipment but an affordable, off-the-shelf camera priced at less than $50, widely  used in mobile phones. Initially integrated into the mission as an engineering tool for satellite inspection, this camera has exceeded our expectations, illustrating how novel use of space technology can be both effective and economical. Because SpIRIT orbits at 500km above the Earth’s surface and travels at almost 8 km every second, the mobile phone camera has a limited resolution, but it can still capture inspiring images of our home world. Within the image Mount Connor and Lake Neale – a dry salt lake – are visible as well.

Having been in orbit for nine months, the Loris payload and its cameras continue to perform well in the challenging conditions of space.  We can’t wait to share more images and stories from the frontier of space exploration. Keep an eye on our blog for more updates as we continue to explore the cosmos and bring the universe a little closer to everyone.