GroundZero Space Selected for AWS Space Accelerator
SmartSat is thrilled to share that GroundZero Space, co-founded by Sai Vallapureddy and Kathiravan Thangavel (MIEAust), has been selected to join the prestigious AWS Space Accelerator program.
This recognition highlights the depth and diversity of talent within Australia’s space ecosystem. Each start-up will be tackling a different challenge:
Together, they share the common goal of making space more accessible, sustainable, and secure.
This achievement is not only a milestone for the founders but also a reflection of the collaborative spirit driving Australia’s growing space industry. The future of space is, indeed, collaborative!
Deneb Space Launches ARVO at IAC 2025
SmartSat congratulates Deneb Space on the launch of its groundbreaking new product, ARVO (Autonomous RendezVous Operations), unveiled this week at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney.
ARVO addresses one of the most critical challenges in orbit today—satellite rendezvous. Without safe and reliable proximity operations, satellites remain disposable, limiting the ability to service, refuel, or remove space debris. ARVO changes this by providing:
- Precise relative pose estimation for satellite-to-satellite operations and object tracking.
- Informed AI, fusing vision-based sensing with classical navigation for explainability, fault-tolerance, and deterministic fail-safes.
- Non-cooperative targeting for unprepared client objects, enabling debris capture and servicing of legacy satellites.
- Scalable software adaptable to diverse satellite buses and sensor suites, supporting constellation-wide deployment.
This innovation is built on the PhD research of Dr Anne Bettens, Co-founder and CEO of Deneb Space, whose work was supported and funded by SmartSat. ARVO represents a direct translation of Australian research into a cutting-edge capability that advances the nation’s role in sustainable space operations.
SmartSat is proud to have supported Anne’s research journey and congratulates her on transforming her academic work into a commercial technology with global impact.
This milestone demonstrates how SmartSat’s support for research translation is helping to build sovereign capabilities and strengthen Australia’s growing space ecosystem.
Congratulations to Franke Agenbag, Emerging Professional of the Year
SmartSat is proud to congratulate Franke Agenbag, one of our SmartSat-funded PhD students at University of South Australia, on being named Emerging Professional of the Year at the Engineers Australia South Australia Excellence Awards.
The Excellence Awards celebrate the prestige of the engineering profession and recognise the outstanding achievements of individual professionals who are shaping the future of the industry.
Franke’s achievement is a testament to her dedication, talent, and the impact of her work with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). She will now go on to represent South Australia at the National Excellence Awards Gala in Sydney on 13 November 2025.
On behalf of the entire SmartSat team, we extend our warmest congratulations to Franke and wish her every success at the national awards. We are proud to support her research journey and excited to see her continue to make a mark in the Australian engineering and space sectors.
Feature image caption: SmartSat PhD student, Franke Agenbag, wins Emerging Professional of the Year at the Engineers Australia South Australia Excellence Awards
Tuul Machlay
Project Support Officer