Findon High School in Adelaide’s western suburbs has secured a place in South Australian space history by submitting the winning name for Australia’s first state satellite.

Fifty-seven primary and secondary schools from across regional and metropolitan South Australia answered the challenge set down in May this year to name the SASAT1 Space Services Mission satellite.

The winning name, Kanyini, was submitted by year 11 students from Findon High School’s Reconciliation Action Plan group.

Kanyini is a Pitjantjatjara word that describes the principle of responsibility and unconditional love for all of creation. In their submission, the students were inspired by the connection of Kanyini to how the satellite data would be used to tackle real world problems.

A panel of local space industry leaders, along with an Aboriginal language expert shortlisted the numerous entries, which were de-identified to ensure an objective and transparent decision-making process by the SASAT1 Steering Committee.

Findon High School students will now work together with designers and APY Lands representatives to create the logo for Kanyini before it is launched into low-Earth orbit in 2022.

Follow Kanyini’s journey at SASAT1 - SA Space Services Mission.