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Overview

Fifty years ago, on 29 November 1967, Australia launched its first satellite, WRESAT (Weapons Research Establishment Satellite), from the Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia. The satellite was designed, constructed and launched in just 11 months in a collaboration between the Weapons Research Establishment Salisbury (now Defence Science and Technology Group Edinburgh) and the University of Adelaide. The WRESAT project was made possible by the donation of a launch vehicle by an American-led research project being conducted at Woomera as well as their offer to assist in the launch.

Conical in shape, WRESAT and its motor weighed 72.6 kilograms. During its five-day orbit, it gathered a large amount of data on upper-atmospheric conditions. At the time, Australia was one of only a handful of countries to have successfully launched a satellite.

Products released in this issue

  • Covers (blank pictorial, gummed)
  • Sheetlet of 10 (gummed)
  • Sheetlet pack
  • Booklet of 20 (self-adhesive)
  • Maxicard

Technical specifications

Issue date12 September 2017
Issue withdrawal date31 March 2018
Denominations1 x $1
Stamp design Nigel Buchanan
Product designJo Mure, Australia Post Design Studio
PrinterEGO
Paper - gummedTullis Russell Red Phos
Paper self-adhesiveSecurepost MC90
Printing processOffset lithography
Stamp size26mm x 37.5mm
Perforations14.60 x 13.86
Sheet layoutSheetlet of 10
National postmarkWoomera SA 5720
FDI withdrawal date11 October 2017

Stamps in this issue

50th Anniversary of WRESAT

50th anniversary of WRESAT

Illustrator and designer Nigel Buchanan has used a “retro” style and colour scheme to set the scene. The design depicts the conically shaped satellite orbiting the Earth and the launch rocket, and is based on some original drawings and diagrams relating to the WRESAT launch.

$1.00

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This content was produced at the time of the stamp issue release date and will not be updated.