Adelaide is orbiting new frontiers
Big things are happening in South Australia – and the impact is out of this world, quite literally.
Adelaide University’s connection to space and space research has been in orbit for decades – and the future looks bright.
Whether its educating Australia’s first NASA astronaut who took flight on the space shuttle ‘Endeavour’, partnering to deploy rovers for data collection of the Moon’s surface, or developing ‘complete nutrition’ plants that could fuel humans for a year – we’re becoming a real force in the new global space economy.
The new Adelaide University will build on and accelerate the world-class research of its founding institutions – the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia – and it will be done at a scale never seen before in our state.
NASA has selected projects that involve Adelaide University as the only university in the world for more than one of its Artemis III lunar science missions that aim to send the first woman and first person of colour to walk on the Moon.
The Kennedy Space Center is also backing University researchers as they look into plant growth on the lunar surface for the sustainable development of off-plant agriculture for future space missions and long-term human survival.
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Going one step further, University researchers are partnering with industry and the Australian Space Agency to deliver a fully autonomous agriculture system to the world’s first commercial space station, harnessing Earth-side research done at the iconic Waite Campus.
This work is being led by the ARC Plants for Space Centre of Excellence, a $90 million project with more than 35 partners headquartered at Waite Campus.
The only way is up for South Australia with our space ecosystem in full flight with initiatives such as the newly established South Australian Space Industry Centre at Lot Fourteen creating a nexus of more than 100 space-related organisations.
Back on Earth, Adelaide University’s research ambitions extend across five signature research themes that will advance future-defining ideas and solutions.
Its DNA will see the research community dream big, think deeply and challenge assumptions to make the world a better place.
Through creative and cultural research and exploration, we can transform how we exist and understand our place in the world.
The focus on sustainable green transition will see the power of Australia’s natural coastline and resources propel offshore energy production for a cleaner future.
Transformational breakthroughs in personal and societal health are at our fingertips, supported by a $4.5 billion investment in healthcare infrastructure on North Terrace alone – and more than 700 researchers dedicated to the cause.
South Australia is a global food and wine destination – and we have the ability to keep serving up incredible innovations in agricultural production and biodiversity so we can see our environmental ecosystems thrive well into the future.
Through ethical defence and national security research, we can help to build resilient communities in a rapidly changing world and emerging frontiers.
Adelaide University’s reimagined research degrees for 2026 entry are now live, spanning more than 400 graduate projects.
So, whether you’re interested in the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence in space intel, or something closer to home – you can begin your own journey of discovery.
Explore more at adelaideuni.edu.au/study