News on Dr Yang Yang

Thesis Projects Completed by Darcy Faulkes and Tao Zhang

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Congratulations to Darcy Faulkes and Tao Zhang on completing their thesis projects under my supervision.

Darcy, an undergraduate student, presented her work titled Remote and Autonomous Control of a Legacy Observatory: A Modular Software Architecture for Satellite Tracking at the UNSW Observatory.

Tao, a postgraduate student, presented his work titled Inferring GEO Satellite Pattern of Life Using Transformers.

Best of luck to Darcy and Tao in their future endeavours!

Recruiting: Postdoctoral Fellow and PhD Scholarship in Lunar PNT

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1000

We are recruiting for an ARC Discovery Project developing next-generation technologies for lunar positioning, navigation and timing (Lunar PNT) at UNSW Sydney.

Opportunities

3-year Postdoctoral Fellow in Lunar Positioning and Timing
Fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship, including a stipend at the current UNSW PhD scholarship rate (A$39,206 per annum tax-free, 2026 rate) and tuition-fee support for eligible candidates.

The project is supervised by Professor Andrew Dempster and Dr Yang Yang. It offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research in:

Positioning, navigation and timing (PNT/GNSS)
Estimation, filtering, and sensor fusion
Spacecraft navigation and autonomous systems
Cislunar dynamics (desirable, but not essential)

We welcome applicants from space engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, applied mathematics, and related disciplines with strong analytical and research skills.

Location: UNSW Sydney, Australia
Postdoctoral applications close: 1 September 2026
PhD applications: Open until the position is filled

Apply for the Postdoctoral Fellow position.

For either opportunity, please contact Professor Andrew Dempster or Dr Yang Yang. Please share this opportunity with outstanding researchers and students interested in shaping the future of lunar navigation.

IEEE Region 10 Senior Member Panelist

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +1000

I was pleased to serve as a panelist at the IEEE Region 10 Senior Member Panel Meeting on July 31, 2026, supporting the review of IEEE Senior Member applications.

🎉 Promoted to Senior Lecturer at UNSW!

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +1000

I am thrilled to share that I have been promoted to Senior Lecturer at UNSW!

I commenced this new role on July 1, 2026.

This promotion is a testament to my achievements and contributions across research, education, and service. My sincere thanks go to my mentors, collaborators, students, and colleagues for their invaluable support along the way.

I look forward to making even greater progress in this new role. I am so excited for what lies ahead!

🎉 Exciting News: Appointed Associate Editor for IEEE TAES (Space Systems)

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I am delighted to share that I have been appointed as an Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems (Space Systems), starting in May 2026.

I am honored to contribute to the journal and support the aerospace and space systems research community through this role.

Contributed to Two NSW SRN White Papers

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

During March-April 2026, I was involved in writing two white papers within the NSW Space Research Network (NSW SRN) community.

The two white papers focus on:

Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
Space Domain Awareness (SDA)

I am grateful to collaborate with colleagues across the NSW SRN community on these important topics for the future of Australia’s space capability.

UG Thesis Students Completed Final Presentations

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Undergraduate thesis students successfully completed their final thesis presentations on 25 April, marking the conclusion of a one-year project journey under my supervision.

Over the past year, each student demonstrated strong commitment, technical growth, and professionalism throughout their project work. The final presentation session highlighted the quality of their outcomes and their ability to communicate research and engineering ideas clearly.

Students and Projects

Asad Rizvi – Factor Graph Optimisation for Satellite Orbit Determination: Gaussian Approximation Methods for Impulsive Manoeuvre Modelling
Justin Kwok – End-to-end Pipeline for Astrometric Analysis of Satellite Streak Images
Siena Seeto – Comparison of BVP energy metric association methods for maneuvering and clustered satellites

Congratulations to all students on this important milestone!

Supervised Classification of LEO Debris Families Using Multi-Set Proper Elements

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are excited to announce a new preprint led by our undergraduate student Michael Ling:

Title: Supervised Classification of LEO Debris Families Using Multi-Set Proper Elements Authors: Michael Ling and Yang Yang arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.08495

Abstract: Machine learning techniques using proper elements to reconnect families of satellite fragmentation debris have recently advanced, becoming key to space sustainability and domain awareness. However, an evolving circumterrestrial environment may limit their applicability, particularly when models are trained on outdated debris representations. In this work, we devise a computational pipeline using synthetic fragmentation data from explosive breakup events, generated via a Standard Breakup Model and propagated under a high-fidelity dynamical model. Proper elements are extracted using adapted algorithms for modified equinoctial (MEE), Poincaré (PNC), and quaternion (QTN) sets. Extending beyond previous approaches limited to MEE space, we include PNC and QTN sets to broaden the dynamical fingerprints available to the classifier. Neural networks trained on various element combinations are used to determine if fragment pairs share a parent. Crucially, we identify a fundamental limitation when applying standard quaternion sets to neural networks: the loss of orbital size information during feature normalization. We introduce an augmented representation (QTNp) that explicitly restores the semi-latus rectum, improving accuracy from 0.31 to 0.60 compared to the standard set. In synthetic Starlink-like LEO experiments, expanding proper-element sets generally improves discrimination. The best model, using a joint feature set (MEE + PNC + QTN), achieves an ROC-AUC of 0.858 compared to 0.789 for the MEE-only baseline, alongside higher accuracy and F1 scores.

Congratulations to Michael and the team for this achievement!

🎉 My First ARC Discovery Project Funded! 🏆

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Together with Professor Andrew Dempster from UNSW ACSER (lead CI) and Professor Junichiro Kawaguchi from ANU, we propose new lunar navigation solutions. This project aims to provide theoretical underpinning to the development of new positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) techniques in cislunar space. The project expects to i) develop a framework for single-satellite Doppler positioning to be deployed in advance of PNT systems, ii) generate advances in autonomous on-board accurate positioning of lunar navigation satellites, and iii) develop a technique for time synchronisation of lunar PNT satellites. Expected outcomes include significantly improved lunar PNT accuracy, and algorithms that can be used by the Australian “roover” robotic lunar mission. Significant benefits include advancing knowledge and the development of novel methods to expand Australia’s capability in lunar PNT.

Learn more about the ARC DP 2026 Round 1.

🎉 PhD Student Rameez Malik's first journal paper was accepted by Acta Astronautica! 🎉

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Rameez Malik’s first journal paper, entitled “Lunar Navigation System Optimization for Targeted Coverage with Semi-Analytical Station Keeping Model and Earth-GPS Integration,” has been accepted by Acta Astronautica.

This research presents a comprehensive multi-objective optimization framework for designing a Lunar Navigation Satellite System (LNSS) with enhanced performance in the lunar south pole region. The work integrates high-fidelity lunar orbit propagation with a semi-analytical station-keeping model and incorporates Earth GPS integrity for robust time synchronization and accurate ephemeris generation.

Congratulations to Rameez on this significant achievement! This publication represents an important contribution to lunar navigation systems research and supports future lunar exploration missions.

📺 Featured in News.com.au Interview on Space Debris Management

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dr Yang Yang was recently interviewed by journalist Brielle Burns from News.com.au for an in-depth article about space debris management and the fascinating underwater cemetery where space junk goes to die.

The interview explored the complex challenges of space debris disposal, orbital mechanics, and the environmental considerations surrounding decommissioned satellites. Dr Yang provided expert insights into how the space industry manages end-of-life spacecraft and the innovative solutions being developed for sustainable space operations.

This media appearance highlights our ongoing research contributions to Space Situational Awareness and our commitment to educating the public about critical space sustainability issues.

Read the full article: The underwater cemetery where space junk goes to die

News.com.au is one of Australia’s leading news websites, reaching millions of readers daily with breaking news, analysis, and feature stories across technology, science, and current affairs.

🛰️ HEPTA-Sat Training Workshop successfully held 🛰️

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

With the excitement still resonating from the Space Olympia – International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2025 Sydney, we were thrilled to host a CubeSat Training Workshop at our UNSW Kensington Campus. It was a pleasure to welcome participants from around the world to this one-day, hands-on event focused on understanding CubeSat systems, integration, and testing 🛰️🛰️🛰️.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Japanese colleagues from UNISEC-Global, Professor Masahiko Yamazaki and his team, JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency KIBO Academy and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) for their dedicated efforts in bringing this workshop to our campus.

A big shout-out to the UNSW Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and the UNSW Faculty of Engineering for their generous sponsorship and support. At UNSW, we are fully committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and continue to advocate for the use of advanced space technologies in Space Engineering Education and Research.

🎉 Two Projects Awarded by NSW Space Research Network 🏆

yang.yang16@unsw.edu.au (Dr Yang Yang) — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

We are excited to announce that our team has been awarded a Pilot Research Project grant (led by Dr Yang Yang) and a Student Project grant (led by John Purdey and supervised by Dr Yang) by NSW Space Research Network for 2025 - 2026! This achievement highlights our commitment to pioneering space research and innovation in New South Wales.

Pilot Research Project, “Pattern of Life Identification for Geosynchronous Satellites Using Transformer-Based AI Foundation Models,” is a collaboration with Macquarie University and Adelaide University.

Student Project is “Automated Satellite Tracking Control at UNSW Observatory”.

Learn more about the NSW Space Research Network.