The Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources is one of Australia’s leading research organisations dedicated to enabling a long-term human presence in deep space.
Since its establishment in 2019, the Centre has made significant contributions to national and international space research, and to support and expand this activity, the Centre will transform into Adelaide University's first new Institute, the Andy Thomas Institute for Space Resources (ATISR).
Enabling human settlement of deep space requires input from diverse fields and ATISR currently has affiliated experts across sixteen Adelaide University schools including science, engineering, law, psychology, architecture and health.
"Adelaide University exists to deliver world class research with a palpable impact on society locally, globally and even into space," Adelaide University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Nicola Phillips said. “The idea of humans living in space is a dream shared by many, many people, all over the world, and it’s so exciting to see talented, innovative researchers, right here in South Australia, collaborating to make that a reality.
"Adelaide University is thrilled to support such fantastic work, and so proud to launch our first new institute, the Andy Thomas Institute for Space Resources.”
A central member of the Australian Space Agency’s Roo-Ver Consortium, ATISR researchers are helping test Australia's first Moon rover in preparation for its journey to the lunar south pole in 2030.
"Our research and technical teams are evaluating rover mobility and vision systems in a simulated lunar environment," ATISR Director Associate Professor John Culton said. "This work has led to some major breakthroughs in low gravity simulation and modelling techniques, showcasing the Centre’s research and technical expertise, and Adelaide University’s space research facilities."
ATISR is the operator of the first lunar/Martian surface science labs in the southern hemisphere and first in the world to develop its own low-density lunar regolith simulant.
“The Centre’s collaborative work contributes to national and international space initiatives while generating new knowledge and capability with potential benefits on Earth,” Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation Professor Anton Middelberg said. "The transition to an institute will create a stronger platform for future research, partnerships and opportunities for researchers and students.”
Associate Professor Culton said that while the notion of ‘space resources’ often invokes thoughts of minerals, ‘people’ are a leading resource in deep space exploration.
"Human space exploration requires more than engineering,” he said. “ATISR brings together diverse disciplines to address technical, legal, environmental and human challenges.
"We describe our work as off-Earth research with on-Earth benefit. The knowledge, technologies and capabilities we develop will create numerous benefits on Earth."