SA: First contact shows Aussie satellite on track

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SA: First contact shows Aussie satellite on track

Researchers say the first Australian satellite launched in more than 30 years has transmittedinformation back to earth and appears to be on track.

The $20 million microsatellite was launched from Japan at the weekend and is intendedto orbit around earth for the next three years.

Professor BILL COWLEY -- from the Commonwealth Research Centre for satellite systems-- says researchers made first contact about 11pm (CDT) on Saturday night.

Professor COWLEY says researchers were able to turn on the satellite's transmitterand download information.

He says the team's checked the satellite's temperature, voltages and position, whichare all according to plan.

But he says more work needs to be done over the coming weeks before the launch canbe declared a complete success.

AAP RTV scl/smb/jas/nd

KEYWORD: SATELLITE (ADELAIDE)