The AuScope VLBI Array

The AuScope VLBI array, consisting of three new 12-m radio telescopes in Australia dedicated to geodesy, has now commenced operations. The telescopes at Hobart (Tasmania), Katherine (Northern Territory), and Yarragadee (Western Australia) are co-located with other space geodetic techniques including GNSS, gravity, and SLR. This new facility is making signicant contributions to improving the densication of the International Celestial Reference Frame in the southern hemisphere, to improving the International Terrestrial Reference Frame in the region, and in measurement of intraplate deformation of the Australian tectonic plate. We present an overview of the current status of the VLBI facility and its current performance. We also highlight some of the geodetic research projects currently underway that are taking advantage of this new facility.