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Satellite Control History
This is an Overview of the AUSSAT / Optus Satellite Control History
Dr Gordon Pike gave this presentation at the AUSSAT 20th year dinner at Cromer Gpll Club.
Satellite Controllers (Past and Present)
A list of all the Satellite Controllers that have worked in Satellite Control. In VERY rough Chronological Order.
- Al Gerrie
- Richard Denny - Went to Inmarsat UK - Retired
- Mark Powell - Still with Optus
- Craig Badger - Went to Inmarsat UK
- Richard Culgan - Still with Optus - Darwin
- Peter Curnow - Still with Optus
- Mark James - Went to Inmarsat UK
- John Natoli - Still with Optus
- Tim Davis - Left
- Steve Bezzina - Left
- Brett Mulhall - Left
- Warren Martin - Still with Optus
- Bruno Severino
- Tony Bernauer
- Arthur Kendall - Left
- Mike Nicholls
- Evan Jenkins
- Ashley Semmens - Left
- Phil Krix - Left - We're still in Contact
- Geoff Hammond - Left
- Tim Lilley- Left - Now back working for Andrew Edwards
- Nick Sutton - Now back working for Andrew Edwards
- John Nolan - Left
- Stuart Creak
- Jerry Williams - Tranfered to another area of Optus
- Dave Reeds
- Mike Keiller
- Ben Tucker - Left
- Mark Bebbington
- Wayne Lacey
- Adrian Allback - Left
- John Tucek - Left - We're still in Contact
- Lou Traykovski
- Ian Wilson - Left
- Zane Priebennow
- Rob Biasetto
- Dave McQuillan
- Shawn Wexler
- Paul Levis - Left
- Adam Davis
- Adam Tsui - Optus retrenched Adam after 16 months with us. He was fitting in so well but Optus decided to Cost Cut.
- Dejan Markesevic
- Sharia Mahbub
- Beau Rankin
- Chris Low
The Original Control Room
This is how it was in 1985
Uplink Magazine
AUSSAT had a Staff Magazine named UPLINK
This edition (September 1988) featured a Story about one of our First Launch Supports.
Click HERE to get a PDF of this Issue of UPLINK
This edition (June/July 1989) had Stories about our Support of the launch of SuperBird and our Team in Los Angeles for the B-Series Program
Click HERE to get a PDF of this Issue of UPLINK
An Advertisement for a Satellite Controller - 1991
Here's a copy of an Advertisement for a Satellite Controller. Published in the SMH
Click HERE to get a PDF of the Advertisement
Gumby
Gumby has become the Mascot of Satellite Control. He's reverred. But how did it start ?
SAR-69 Folder
The most closely guarded Satellite Control document. The 'Unspeakable' folder that is only revealed to Satellite Controllers. I'll be punished for even revealing it's existance ...
Optus Spacecraft Launches
A1 - HS-376. Launched 1985
A2 - HS-376. Launched 1985
A3 - HS-376. Launched 1987
B1 - The first 601 built and launched . Launched 1992
B2 - Launch failure
B3 - Replacement for Optus B2. Launched 1994.
C1 - Largest combined Commercial/Defence satellite launched at that time. Launched 2003
D1 - First Orbital Star2 spacecraft flown by Optus. Launched 2006
D2 - Launched 2007
D3 - Launched 2009. Added FSS Band coverage.
Optus 10 -
Launch Supports
Beyond our Daily Operations we use our TTAC1 Antenna and associated Infrastructure to support Launches for Orbital Sciences, SS/L (Space Systems Loral and Boeing
As part of that we occasionally need to Install our DBS Feed to support 17 Ghz Uplinks
Overseas Trips
There was a time, prior to ITAR, where our Team were being used to give Training to New Owners of Hughes Spacecraft.
1996 - Malaysia
In 1996, a number of us were in Malaysia supporting MEASAT with their early Operations of MEASAT1
Japan - Dave Reeds, Mike Keiller and Jerry Williams
No info yet
Kiruna, Sweden - Wayne Lacey
No info yet
1999 - Oslo, Norway - Tony Bernauer, Mark Bebbington and Mike Keiller
2001 - C1 Compatability Test
Long Beach, California
No info yet
D1 Compatability Test
ST2 Compatability Test
Miscellaneous
Safe Working at Heights Course
Because our job occasionally requires working at Heights, we get training in the use of Harnesses, etc to ensure our safety. Here's some photos of our First Training Day
Magpie nesting in the Antenna
In 2010 we found a Magpie nesting in the TTAC1 Antenna
TTAC1 Possum
In 2010, a Possum got 'Shredded' after being caught in one of the TTAC1 Antennas Motors.
Challenger Drive Gorilla
In 2010, a Gorrila appeared near the Earth Station
Masturbating Dugong
In 2011, a Radio Station , 2JJJ, broadcast this conversation