Satellite IoT to transform South Australian resource monitoring

Monitoring of South Australia's vital resources will now utilise satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) technology following the successful commissioning of Myriota's IoT payload on the Kanyini satellite by Inovor Technologies.

The collaboration between Adelaide-based companies Inovor Technologies and Myriota has seen the integration and activation of specialised communications hardware aboard Kanyini, South Australia's first state-funded satellite, as it orbits more than 500 kilometres above the Earth.

The IoT payload allows Kanyini to capture data from ground-based devices during its low-orbit passes, facilitating the monitoring of essential resources such as water, agricultural liquids including diesel and fertiliser, and soil across South Australia and the wider country.

Remote resource monitoring is aimed at promoting sustainable usage across various sectors and tracking the state of environmental health. By employing satellite connectivity designed for remote applications, users can monitor elements such as water tank levels, groundwater extraction rates, and soil moisture conditions. This can enable agricultural operators to ensure adequate water supply for livestock while avoiding over-extraction of groundwater and adverse impacts on local soil and vegetation.

Ben Adams, Chief Operating Officer of Inovor Technologies, highlighted the significance of the collaborative effort with Myriota. "As the provider of the Kanyini satellite bus, Inovor Technologies is proud to play a vital role in expanding Myriota's groundbreaking IoT satellite constellation," said Adams. "This collaboration highlights Inovor's reputation as a leader in high-performance satellite platforms, delivering industry-leading electromagnetic compatibility to support sensitive payloads.

"Being part of a network that enables critical data transmission across sectors like government, agriculture, and emergency services is a testament to Inovor's technological excellence and contribution to Australia's growing space capabilities," Adams added.

For many working in agriculture and related fields, the traditional task of manually checking resource levels or infrastructure can require travelling long distances. This often results in inefficient monitoring and management. The new satellite IoT capability offers the possibility of automating data collection and reducing the need for routine site visits, contributing to both time and cost savings.

Dr. David Haley, Chief Technology Officer of Myriota, commented on the partnership's impact. "At Myriota, we are proud to lead the way in IoT payload innovation, driving economic growth and technological advancement in South Australia's thriving space industry," said Haley.

"Our partnership with Inovor exemplifies our commitment to building Australian capability in a collaborative way—harnessing Myriota's cutting-edge technology to solve real-world challenges, from protecting natural resources to enabling smarter, more efficient business practices.

"As we continue to strengthen our satellite IoT platform, we continue push the boundaries of what's possible, delivering world-class connectivity to an ecosystem of global customers," he said.

In addition to the operational system on Kanyini, Myriota designed and developed the satellite's unique communications payload to demonstrate next-generation IoT technology in orbit and enhance data services. The integration process involved both Myriota and Inovor teams working to address technical challenges, particularly around minimising electromagnetic interference (EMI) that could affect performance. Inovor's satellite bus was credited for its effective EMI control, which was instrumental in enabling the integration and operation of Myriota's communications systems.

The coordinated effort is being cited as evidence of the technical capabilities within Australia's emerging space sector and as a support for investment and economic growth in South Australia. Projects such as Kanyini are seen as markers of how collaboration between local specialist manufacturers and suppliers enables global export opportunities.

Development of the IoT payload drew on Myriota's manufacturing base at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide. The company continues to develop future systems, including payloads intended for lunar and interplanetary missions, to support IoT services in extreme environments beyond Earth. These innovations are intended to strengthen Myriota's commercial global sensing and tracking services, such as the Myriota UltraLite service.

Myriota's IoT connectivity platform is designed to deliver real-time status, location, and control data to clients in sectors including government, water monitoring, environmental management, emergency response, and agriculture worldwide.