Space Connect Podcast: Recent Episodes
Momentum Media
The Space Connect Podcast tells the stories of the people and businesses that are shaping the development of Australia’s space industry. Join Space Connect Podcast host Phillip Tarrant each month as he uncovers the talent driving this emerging sector – and how you can play your part in this booming industry.
In 1999, an archived speech was discovered that had been written for US President Richard Nixon 30 years before in case a disaster on the Apollo 11 mission left the astronauts with no hope of recovery.
Thankfully, that speech never had to be given – but what if it had? What if some key component on the lunar lander had failed, stranding Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon, to slowly run out of oxygen as the world watched in horror?
It’s a question asked by author David Dyer in his new novel, This Kingdom of Dust, which provides a fictionalised look at just such a scenario.
In this Space Connect podcast, he talks to Jake Nelson about NASA’s concerns with the Apollo program, how the world might have reacted, and whether the enthusiasm for space travel so prevalent in the 1960s can be recaptured.
In October, Scott Morrison was surprisingly unveiled as the new chairman of Space Centre Australia, the planned spaceport in Far North Queensland. The move has the potential to hugely disrupt Australia’'s launch sector, which already has four spaceports scattered around the country. Now, a few weeks later, the former prime minister joins Robert Dougherty in our studio in North Sydney. The pair discuss the new government’s cuts to the space sector, whether the industry will recover, and how Australia can take advantage of its geographical advantages to become a leader in launch.
From 29 September to 25 November, Earth will have a new temporary ‘mini moon’.
Named 2024 PT5, the object is actually an asteroid from the Arjuna asteroid group that will be captured by Earth’s gravity for 57 days.
It’s so small and faint that it won’t be visible to the eye or even with small telescopes, but it will be visible to larger telescopes.
Astrophysicist Dr Laura Driessen, from the University of Sydney, talks through the history of mini moons and what the rare discovery means.
In 2013, Swedish researchers discovered that beetles used the Milky Way to navigate at night, realising its fixed point in the sky could help them roll dung balls in a straight line.
Now, a decade later, researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) are using that breakthrough as inspiration for a new project aimed at improving navigation for satellites.
They have developed a computer vision system that reliably measures the orientation of the Milky Way, which could one day lead to a back-up method of stabilising satellites in low light.
Here, Professor Javaan Chahl, who oversaw the initiative, discusses how the plan works.
The iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between academic institutions and more than 20 industry partners that aims to accelerate the development of the space manufacturing sector.
This week, we’re joined by Dr Joni Sytsma, the chief technology officer overseeing iLAuNCH at the University of Southern Queensland.
Sytsma trained at the University of Florida over 20 years ago and has had an amazing career as an aerospace engineer, with spells working at high-profile companies such as Gilmour Space Technologies and Department 13.
Here, Sytsma discusses the best recent iLAuNCH projects, including a Fitbit-style wearable for astronauts and a plan to film blast-offs in Australia.
A recent study by RMIT has suggested that the isolated environment of the International Space Station, rather than just a lack of gravity, is behind reports from astronauts that food tastes blander in space. It’s an important development because if we’re going to send humans to Mars and beyond, we’ll have to consider their diet and psychology.
On this episode, Dr Julia Low, an RMIT senior lecturer, talks to host Adam Thorn about the study’s results.
The pair discuss how they replicated the ISS on Earth, how its findings can be used to tailor meals for astronauts, and where the research goes next.
As commercial space missions increase, it is important to be able to simulate space conditions to ensure equipment is up to the task.
Components need to withstand not only a high vacuum but also extreme temperatures, high radiation, and other harsh conditions not found on Earth.
Ezzi Vision has supplied scientific vacuum and thin film technology to sectors, including the space industry, for more than 18 years.
Jake Nelson spoke to Dr Adil Adamjee, CEO and managing director of Ezzi Vision, on how and why space simulation on Earth is done.
Last year, LeoLabs Australia opened its pioneering West Australian Space Radar (WASR) near Collie in the southwest. When it began operating, the site could already track tens of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, but it has since been upgraded to improve its coverage further. In this episode, the company’s president and managing director, Terry van Haren, talks about WASR’s progress and how it works with the company’s network of global radars.
The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and other failed missions led NASA to rethink how it fostered leadership and culture. Now, NSW-based Crazy Might Work is using an ultra-modern version of the same program, based on the current space program, to share those learnings with other organisations and leadership teams.
In this special episode recorded at the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition, Paul Hawkins, the company’s chief combobulator, talks to host Adam Thorn about the firm’s origins in Antarctica, whether leaders are born or made and how NASA became the Best Place to Work in federal government for the eleventh year in a row.
This week, the third annual Australian Space Summit & Exhibition took place at the ICC in Sydney. Now a two-day event, headliners included senior figures from the US Space Force, Virgin Galactic, and the new head of Australia’s Space Command. In this special episode, recorded during the event, Space Connect’s Adam Thorn and Defence Connect’s Liam Garman and Stephen Kuper discuss the key takeaways from the summit.
Space Connect has just announced that the Under Secretary of the US Air Force, Kristyn E. Jones, will headline this month’s Australian Space Summit and Exhibition.
Jones is one of the most senior figures involved in the US Space Force and oversees the entire US Air Force’s annual budget of more than $205 billion.
As part of her role, she also directs the US Air Force’s strategy and policy development, weapons acquisition and technology investments while being the principal adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall.
In this episode, Defence Connect’s senior analyst, Stephen Kuper, chats about the significance of her appearance, and what local industry can learn at the event.
This month, Space Connect reported how researchers operating the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) in NSW used an athletics-style method to measure the speed of neutron star jets.
The international team timed the phenomenon like a “100-metre sprinter” to record that it travelled at 114,000 kilometres per second – one-third the speed of light.
In this episode, Tom Russell, who led the research, talks through the mysterious jets and how they developed a new way to track them.
Plus, he discusses why the ATCA telescope is still such a pioneering machine and what the future of the research holds.
We’re less than two months away from our annual Australian Space Summit and Exhibition.
The two-day event will be the biggest yet, featuring headliners including Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and the commander overseeing the US Space Force’s Indo-Pacific team.
Hosting the event is Alan Duffy, a professor in astrophysics and pro-vice-chancellor of flagship initiatives at Swinburne University.
He joins the show this week to discuss his incredible career and the biggest issues in the sector this year.
An astronomer from Curtin University discovered 49 new galaxies from just three hours of operating the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa.
Dr Marcin Glowacki was leading an international collaboration aiming to study the star-forming gas in a single radio galaxy.
However, while the team didn’t discover the star-forming gas in the galaxy they were studying, they instead uncovered other galaxies when inspecting the data later.
This week, Dr Glowacki tells the story behind his incredible finding.
A new industry-wide group dedicated to promoting diversity in the space sector has launched with the support of the Australian Space Agency and Defence Space Command. The Australian Space Diversity Alliance (ASDA) aims to help senior leaders and minimise the barriers that marginalised groups face. This week, two of its co-founders, Mei He and Dr Elise Stephenson, talk about the initiative and what they hope it will achieve.
This month, Space Connect reported how researchers from the University of Sydney discovered that Earth’s interactions with Mars can drive deep sea circulation here on Earth. The teams used geological records of the deep sea to discover a link between the orbits of the two planets and past global warming patterns. In this episode, co-author Professor Dietmar Müller talks through the research and the unique collaboration with Sorbonne University in Paris. He also discusses what comes next and how researchers can use their discovery to understand better future climate outcomes.
Late last year, the US and Australia signed a landmark deal that will allow more US rockets to blast off from Australian spaceports. However, the full text of the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) was only recently released to Australian industry for its feedback. In this episode, Joel Lisk, a research associate in space law at Flinders University, talks through what the deal means. He also explains how it differs from similar TSAs agreed between the US and other nations.
Helen Tung left her career as a London litigator to become an international space lawyer based in the UAE. In this special episode presented by Space Connect’s sister brand, Lawyers Weekly, Jerome Doraisamy talks to Tung, who is also a College of Law lecturer in international arbitration.
The pair discuss her move into the space industry, how the sector is rapidly growing, and her work with start-ups.
Finally, they examine why the barriers to entry are lower for women moving into space law because the sector is so new.
Craig Jones is the deputy director of business incubation at the University of South Australia. His job is to work with start-ups and help them expand and thrive. He tells host Adam Thorn how hard it is for young organisations to go from having a great idea to commercialising it. The pair also talk about the growth of our local industry since it began to rapidly expand.
SmartSat CRC is a collaboration between universities and research organisations that partner with industry. Funded by the federal government, it has helped pioneer projects as varied as monitoring crops from space, managing bushfires, and even working with NASA to develop rescue beacons in space. In this episode, the organisation’s CEO, Professor Andy Koronios, discusses its work as well as how the Australian space industry has expanded and evolved over the years.
CyanoSat is the first Australian-designed and built hyperspectral imager designed to monitor water quality on Earth.
Hyperspectral imaging analyses the composition of materials and is being used by the CSIRO to differentiate harmful cyanobacteria from other algae in coastal and inland water bodies.
In this episode, Dr Stephen Gensemer, who led the project, talks about how advancements in space can improve life on Earth.
The launch of the University of Melbourne’s SpIRIT mission last month was a milestone moment for Australia’s space industry. A unique collaboration between industry and academia, the nanosatellite will search for gamma rays using scientific instruments created by the Italian Space Agency. In this episode, the professor leading the project, Michele Trenti, talks through the nerve-racking moments before launch – and what happens next.
The Australian Centre for Space Governance is an organisation that brings together experts from a variety of fields across six different universities. It recently released a very intriguing survey looking at just how aware the general public are is of Australia’s space industry. The results suggest that the sector has much more to do if it’s to highlight its achievements. This episode, two of the people behind the report, Dr Cassandra Steer and Dr Tristan Moss, discuss its findings.
Australia’s space industry is currently grappling with a skills shortage, which means tens of thousands of new workers are needed for the sector to continue to grow. But while the problems are well known, the industry is struggling to explain how it can find solutions to encourage the next generation to pursue what should be the country’s most exciting career. In this episode, our guest is Jen Malone, a woman who single-handedly set up the Young Astronauts Club, an initiative that aims for school children to take an interest and be involved in space exploration. She talks about how she did it and how we can encourage more participation, and diversity, in STEM.
Anntonette Dailey has seen first-hand how Australia’s space industry has been transformed from a minnow into one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. Now working for Defence Council Victoria, she tells host Adam Thorn how she turned a passion for space as a child into a lifelong career. The pair also discuss how we can attract more young people into the industry, and why it’s important to make space accessible to women.
The One Giant Leap Australia Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to advance STEM education and careers.
It provides life-changing opportunities for students and educators to develop and build their knowledge and understanding of these crucial subjects.
This week, Jackie Carpenter, its managing director, joins host Adam Thorn to talk more about the organisation.
The $180-million iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between universities and industry that aims to accelerate space innovation in Australia. This week, Darin Lovett, the organisation’s executive director, tells Adam Thorn how academia and private companies can work together for everyone’s benefit. Plus, the pair discuss his astonishing CV, which has seen him oversee South Australia’s space strategy, help create Defence’s revolutionary Loyal Wingman aircraft, and even work in the Pentagon.
Equatorial Launch Australia made global headlines last year when it launched three NASA rockets from its pioneering spaceport in the NT.
A year on, its CEO, Michael Jones, joins the Space Connect Podcast to talk about what’s next for the business.
Jones also discusses how Australia should both compete and collaborate with other international space industries as demand for launch outstrips supply.
Earlier this month, Space Connect reported how the University of Queensland unveiled a new furnace that can help create the components used on hypersonic “spaceplanes”. The device will be able to heat materials to almost 3,000 degrees, allowing it to replicate the extreme temperatures experienced by hypersonic vehicles as they travel beyond Mach 5. UQ Associate Professor Michael Heitzmann, one of Australia’s leading experts on composite materials, tells Adam Thorn how the furnace works. Plus, he reveals how far away we are from a world where spaceplanes become a reality.
CSIRO’s 36-dish ASKAP telescope – or Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope – has spotted a galaxy that may be surrounded by a “polar ring” of gas. In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, Dr Bärbel Koribalski, a co-author of the project, explains what this means and how it can shape our understanding of the universe.
Earth observation satellites can provide a wealth of data that can’t be gathered at ground level – and a lot of this data, such as land use and vegetation, is useful for agriculture. SmartSat CRC’s “Maya Nula” project aims to use Earth observation technology to help the agriculture industry develop sustainable farming techniques and improve its climate resilience. In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, Dr Jasmine Muir discusses how Maya Nula will help secure our food supply and why Australia needs sovereign Earth-observation capability.
Dr Chelsea Huang of the University of Southern Queensland has discovered and catalogued thousands of potential exoplanets using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
As part of her research into exoplanet formation, Dr Huang has earned valuable time on the James Webb Space Telescope to examine a pair of planets around 190 light-years away to find out how they have moved through their protoplanetary disk.
She joins the Space Connect podcast to discuss her research and what she hopes to find.
The origins of Earth’s atmosphere are an enduring mystery – but by looking at the formation of atmospheres on planets outside our solar system, we may be able to unravel it.
That’s the hope of Dr George Zhou, from the University of Southern Queensland, who is looking to win time on the James Webb Space Telescope to see how a young planet is having its atmosphere stripped away.
Dr Zhou, who has already used the Hubble Space Telescope for his research, is hoping Webb will give him an even better idea of how atmospheres come to be.
On this episode of the Space Connect podcast, he speaks to Jake Nelson on his research and what he hopes to learn from Webb.
Earlier this week, Space Connect reported how astronomers at Curtin University followed up their landmark discovery of a pulsating stellar object last year by finding a second.
The team believe it could be an ultra-long period magnetar, a rare type of star with strong magnetic fields that can produce powerful bursts of energy.
Here, Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker, who led the study, talks through the research and reveals how her team used the MWA telescope in Western Australia to spot the object.
Plus, she discusses what comes next and analyses the theories as to exactly what it could be.
This month, Space Connect reported how a University of Southern Queensland PhD student was among a team of scientists who calculated the age of a white dwarf going through crystallisation.
Alexander Venner’s world-first discovery on HD 190412 C came only three years after researchers in the UK discovered the first evidence of the unique phenomenon.
On this episode, Venner tells host Adam Thorn about the importance of the crystallisation process and how the team made the breakthrough.
Plus, they discuss where future research could go next.
Dr Simon Murphy uses pulsations detected in data from NASA missions to make inferences about stars.
What this means is that he can use the stellar pulsations like clocks, discovering new binary systems in a way that would be impossible with other techniques.
In this episode, Dr Murphy discusses how he can use these pioneering techniques to take the guesswork out of finding new planets, speeding up the process.
Dr Scott Sleap is a veteran STEM educator and space luminary who recently returned from a fellowship program in the US, where he visited aerospace sites such as NASA, Boeing, and the Smithsonian.
He believes Australia is in need of a National Space and Deep Tech Centre to boost our sovereign space capabilities and help our domestic space industry compete on the global stage.
Scott speaks to the SpaceConnect podcast on his learnings from the US trip and how he believes they can be applied to the Australian space industry.
He also offers his insights from decades of STEM teaching on how to get people involved in the space sector and the best way to educate them.
In 2003, regularly updated maps of recently burnt areas of our bush were uploaded onto a website hosted by Charles Darwin University, known as the North Australian Fire Information service, or NAFI.
Twenty years on, NAFI’s maps of active fires and burnt areas underpin fire management across northern Australia.
The maps are used for planning, response, implementation, and reporting.
This week, Rohan Fisher joins Space Connect Podcast host Adam Thorn to talk through more about how it works.
Researchers using the 36-dish ASKAP telescope have made a discovery that challenges the hypothesis around how “fast radio bursts” form. Fast radio bursts are intense bursts of radio emission that can last just milliseconds and were only first detected in 2007. The exact processes that cause them have long been shrouded in mystery. Traditionally, they have only been recorded in colliding galaxies, but now, an Australian-based team have detected them in a much calmer galactic environment. In this episode, Curtin University’s Marcin Glowacki, who led the study, and Dr Karen Lee-Waddell, explain the significance of the findings.
The Australian Space Awards 2023 was the biggest in the event’s history. In this episode, two of the nominees from KBR join host Adam Thorn to discuss their progress in the sector. Ben Wanders was nominated for Graduate of the Year for his work investigating space supply chains, while Lauren Hassall got the nod for Best Engineer for her work supporting a human spaceflight study with the ASA. The pair are joined by Dr Ray Merton, a technical professional adviser at KBR, who discusses their achievements, as well as how the local industry has changed since he entered it.
LeoLabs Australia is best known for its pioneering work tracking tens of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit.
In this episode, the company’s president and managing director, Terry van Haren, discusses its recently opened West Australian Space Radar (WASR), which monitors 80 per cent of LEO traffic.
He tells host Adam Thorn why giving everyone, not just governments, access to space situational awareness is important and how he believes countries should tackle the space junk problem.
Plus, he talks about his extraordinary career that saw him move from the Air Force to embracing a new role in space.
The Waratah Seed consortium is an industry-spanning effort that aims to make space more accessible by offering opportunities for organisations to put their innovations into space.
It hopes to unite businesses, academic institutions, and the government.
In this episode, two of its leading figures, Professor Iver Cairns and Dr Tim Parsons, talk through how it came about and what innovations its winners will bring.
Dr Rodrigo Praino is an associate professor of politics and public policy at Flinders University.
In a new book, Dr Praino says the race between countries to settle on the moon and Mars is also a race to gain power in space.
In this episode, he tells host Adam Thorn why we need to build better communication between the major powers of the US, China, and Russia to avoid future conflict.
Plus, he discusses what tactics a smaller space player such as Australia should take as the sector continues to grow.
In this episode, host Adam Thorn is joined by Monash University’s Christopher Lawrence. In March, Space Connect reported how the university partnered with the ASA to give Indigenous STEM students the opportunity to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Launched in Adelaide as part of NASA administrator Bill Nelson’s visit to Australia, the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) will offer 10-week internships to five First Nations university students studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics degrees. Here, Lawrence talks about how he got the project off the ground and what the successful candidates can expect in their trip to the US.
More satellites than ever are being launched globally — but their reflections threaten to stop us from seeing many of our stars at night.
University of Southern Queensland PhD student Jessica Heim was part of a team that studied the issue and compiled new evidence that quantifies the extent of the problem.
In this episode, she tells host Adam Thorn what can be done to solve the problem and its threat to science and culture.
The pair also discuss the importance of safeguarding the night sky to inspire the next generation into the industry.
Adelaide-based Neumann Space is pioneering a range of new technologies, including using electric, rather than chemical, propulsion for spacecraft. The business believes its “Neumann Drive” has the potential to change the game by making propulsion simpler and paving the way for tech that could effectively “refuel” satellites in space, alongside making deorbiting easier. In this episode, CEO Herve Astier and executive chairman Peter Schultz discuss how they built the business by thinking about existing technology in a new way.
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey is a British RAF fighter pilot who rose up the ranks to head the country’s first military Space Command.
In this special interview from the Avalon Airshow, AVM Godfrey tells Adam Thorn how he made the transition from the skies to the stars.
The pair discuss the challenges and opportunities of creating a military space division, why it’s important for the UK and Australia to collaborate, and how satellites will continue to change life on Earth.
Dr Cassandra Steer is a mission specialist at ANU and a lecturer specialising in space law, space security, and international law. She has over a decade of international experience teaching at universities in Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Ahead of her appearance at the Australian Space Summit, Dr Steer discusses the emerging sector of space law and the weaponisation of space. Where, she discusses, do the ethical and legal boundaries lie as we enter an uncertain decade of military and political conflict?
Dr Hugh Mortimer is a planetary scientist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, the largest space science department in Europe.
However, he’s also moonlighted as an adviser on major arts projects and movies involving space, including Ridley Scott’s Prometheus.
In this special episode recorded in the UK, Dr Mortimer talks about the importance of using arts to encourage the next generation to consider a career in the industry.
He also talks about his role in helping to develop a closer partnership between Australia and the UK’s space sectors.
In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, David Ball, regional director of space for Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, and Dr Martine Woolf, branch head, Positioning Australia branch, space division at Geoscience Australia, discuss Satellite-based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and the organisations’ ongoing collaboration on SouthPAN.
- The trio begin the podcast defining what Satellite-based Augmentation Systems are, and why they are critical for civilian infrastructure and primary industries.
- Woolf and Ball discuss how the SouthPAN SBAS will continue to improve over coming years, and the advancements scheduled to come online.
- The podcast wraps up discussing how Lockheed Martin Australia and Geoscience Australia are supporting an enduring sovereign space industry.
Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team
In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, Professor Peter Moar, head of Space Instrumentation Engineering Group at Swinburne University, unpacks Swinburne’s recent DESIS mission in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre, and discusses Swinburne’s upcoming Space Industry Supply Chain Readiness Course.
- The pair begin the podcast discussing the DESIS mission, and future applications of the instrument.
- Professor Moar then invites industry to attend the Space Industry Supply Chain Readiness Course (SISCRC) and provides some advice on how Australian companies can better position themselves to enter the global space supply chain.
- The podcast wraps up with an evaluation on whether Australia’s space industry can meet its ambitious targets, and what’s next on the horizon for the Swinburne University’s space offering.
To secure your ticket for the SISCRC, visit the event page here.
Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team
To further our knowledge of space and Earth, we need to both create new technologies but also use our existing ones in innovative, new ways.
In this episode, Western Sydney University’s Gregory Cohen explains the concept behind neuromorphic systems — tech that mimics the human brain.
Cohen is one of Australia’s most esteemed space researchers and was nominated for Academic of the Year at our Australian Space Awards last year.
He tells host Adam Thorn how biology-inspired cameras will both unlock new discoveries about our world and allow us to learn more about nature, too.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, Professor Russell Boyce, chairman for Intelligent Space Systems and director of UNSW Canberra Space, joins host Liam Garman to unpack the breadth of UNSW Canberra Space’s mission — from the M2 Pathfinder through to space ethics — and discuss the future of the Australian space industry.
- The pair begin the podcast discussing Professor Boyce’s history in the space industry, including his support in the early days of the Australian Space Agency.
- The podcast then continues unpacking UNSW Canberra Space’s mission, from supporting space entrepreneurship, through to research and education within a multidisciplinary field.
- They then wrap up the podcast discussing the ambitious future of the space industry in Australia.
Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team
In January, Skykraft launched the first of five satellites as part of a planned 200-strong constellation, the biggest of its kind in Australia.
Weighing in at over 300 kilograms each, they are also the largest Australian-designed and made objects that have ever been launched into space.
On this episode, the business’ CEO, Dr Michael Frater, tells host Liam McAneny how the firm did it, and how the satellites will change air traffic management.
Adam Thorn and Liam McAneny wrap up the space news year in review in this episode of the Space Connect Podcast.
They cover the incredibly expensive and significantly delayed development of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) from its inception in the 1990s.
They hone in on the groundbreaking launch of the JWST and look at what it might mean for future discoveries about the universe.
Adam and Liam also discuss what the future might hold for the JWST and its scientific endeavours.
Adam Thorn and Liam McAneny continue their recap of the biggest stories of the year, this time focusing on the biggest launch developments across the world.
They cover the Artemis launch aboard the Space Launch System rocket and discuss what this means for space exploration going forward.
They also check in with the Australian space launch industry, looking at the most important events that occurred, and those that failed to get off the ground.
In this special episode of the Space Connect Podcast, shadow minister for cyber security and shadow minister for countering foreign interference, Senator James Paterson joins Phil Tarrant (director - Momentum Media) and MAJGEN (retired) Dr Marcus Thompson to discuss the regulatory impediments preventing Australia from becoming a leader in cyber security. The group begins the podcast discussing the cyber security threats facing Australia and the role of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
Senator Paterson then details how foreign interference and espionage have overtaken terrorism as the primary security concern for Australia.
The team wraps up the podcast in outlining the importance of attracting the right talent with the right skills to power Australian cyber security businesses.
Adam Thorn and Liam McAneny recap the year’s biggest space news stories.
The pair start off with a look back at the now infamous “space junk” saga that saw pieces of a SpaceX Dragon capsule land on farmers’ properties in the Snowy Mountains in NSW.
The event made global headlines, and drew comment from the Australian Space Agency, SpaceX and even the UN.
Listen in as they go through the events from start to finish and look at the ramifications to the industry.
Hiranya Jayakody, the current chief technical officer and co-founder of HEO Robotics, speaks to host Liam McAneny about the company’s work on satellite imaging in space.
They discuss the various functions of HEO Robotics’ imaging software, HEO Inspect, and how it helps satellite owners monitor their assets in space.
The pair touches on the unique challenges of satellite imaging from other orbiting assets, and how automation helps the team accomplish the task.
To wrap up, Liam and Hiranya speak about the potential future uses of HEO Inspect and the challenges facing the space industry going forward.
John Moody, the CEO and chairman of the Pacific Joint Space Facility, talks to host Liam McAneny about his plans to set up a spaceport.
They discuss the difficulties of setting up a heavy lift launch facility in Australia, including the regulatory challenges.
They also delve into the key differences between heavy lift and smaller form launch vehicles.
Finally, they look to the future of the Australian space industry and ask what can be done better.
John Culton is an associate professor and director of the University of Adelaide’s Andy Thomas Centre for Space Resources.
The centre has positioned itself as a focal point in Australia for some of the most exciting future-facing space endeavours and ideas.
Recently, it hosted the first Australian interdisciplinary university space course with experts from all around the world attending to speak on a huge range of different topics.
Culton talks to host McAneny about his role and how the space sector will evolve as humans explore deeper into space
Tara Murphy, a professor at the University of Sydney, speaks to host Liam McAneny about her work in radio astronomy and her participation in the new Art + Information production.
The pair discuss what the daily work of an astronomer looks like and the kinds of challenges that come with that.
They explore some of Professor Murphy’s research on gravitational waves, gamma ray bursts, supernovae and radio transients.
Finally, they cover the adaptation of Professor Murphy’s astronomical research to the theatre stage in a new production at the University of Sydney.
Michele Trenti, a professor at the University of Melbourne, discusses the development of the SpIRIT satellite with hosts Adam Thorn and Liam McAneny.
Trenti also recounts his exciting career in astronomy, providing details about his work studying ancient stars and galaxies and his study of gamma-ray bursts.
They discuss Trenti’s use of Hubble Space Telescope as well as the James Webb Space Telescope and the exciting discoveries that they have enabled.
Finally, they also discuss the future of space telescopes, with a focus on what Australia can offer.
Marnie Ogg, the founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, chats to Liam McAneny about her work on dark sky preservation.
They discuss the founding of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance and the successful campaign to get Warrumbungle National Park certified as Australia’s first dark sky park.
The pair also delves into the increasingly popular international dark sky movement, from the International Dark-Sky Association to energy activists turning off shop-front lights in London.
Finally, they touch on some of the biggest threats to our night skies, including light pollution, satellite mega-constellations and even space-based advertising.
Dr Ellie Sansom, the program manager of the Australian Desert Fireball Network, is a mission scientist for NASA’s Mars InSight mission and a member of Curtin University’s Space Science and Technology Centre.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, we talk about her exciting work on the Desert Fireball Network (DFN) and what secrets it is helping us unlock about our solar system.
We also discuss the role the DFN played in observing JAXA’s Hayabusa2 asteroid probe, as well as the recent fly-by of NASA’s Lucy spacecraft.
Finally, we speak about the exciting possibilities of NASA’s research on Mars and discuss what direction future research might take.
Julie Autuly is the head of space tech at Cicada Innovations, the company that administers the National Space Industry Hub. She is responsible for leading the National Space Industry Hub, as part of her role.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, Julie speaks to hosts Adam Thorn and Liam McAneny about her experiences in her role at the Space Hub.
We discuss the paths that led Julie through the space industry to her role today, the current state of the space industry, and the opportunities offered to small businesses through the Space Hub.
Julie also touches on the future of Australia’s emerging space industry.
Brad Tucker is an astrophysicist at the Australian National University’s Mount Stromlo Observatory where he conducts research on exploding stars and the expansion of the universe.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, Brad Tucker talks to host Liam McAneny about popular science and the need for science outreach, as well as his role as an educator.
Brad also talks listeners through the recent “space junk” saga that saw pieces of debris from a SpaceX flight land on the properties of Australian farmers.
Liam and Brad also discuss the potential effects of satellite mega-constellations and what the future of space research might look like.
Lockheed Martin Space is one of the most prominent players in our global industry, responsible for everything from building spacecraft to connecting soldiers on the battlefield.
In this special podcast episode, David Ball, the business’ regional director for space in Australia and New Zealand, talks about why our local industry is surging and what the future holds.
Ball discusses the formation of Defence’s space division, the importance of sovereign resilience, and why space domain awareness has become a crucial component in our industry.
Finally, Ball discusses his amazing career, which started in the Royal Australian Air Force, and where his passion for space comes from.
Ed Kruzins is a professor at both UNSW and the University of Adelaide, where he teaches space communication and tracking.
He’s probably best known for his nine-year role as a director of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.
It’s the iconic site, run in conjunction with NASA, which houses enormous antennas that receive or transmit data to robotic spacecraft exploring our solar system.
In this podcast, he discusses how the complex operates, his experience working with NASA and the evolution of Australia’s space industry.
Virgin Orbit is about to revolutionise the global space industry by launching satellites from huge 747 aircraft, rather than traditional rockets.
Speaking exclusively from LA, the business’ CEO, Dan Hart, tells host Adam Thorn why the plan could open space to countries currently unable to participate.
The pair discuss how the technology works, the company’s plan to launch imminently in the UK, and also how he works with Virgin Group founder Richard Branson.
Chris Kirkland is a geologist at the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and leads the Timescales of Mineral Systems Group at Curtin University in Western Australia.
He recently co-authored a paper that analysed the composition of mineral grains that formed Earth’s ancient crust to draw conclusions about the relationship between the formation of Earth’s crust and our solar system’s journey through the Milky Way galaxy.
In this podcast, Chris speaks to host Liam McAneny about the work being done on Earth by geologists and its relevance to unlocking the secrets of our planet’s place in the galaxy.
They also discuss the effect of meteorite impacts on the formation of Earth’s early crust and the special role played by the Oort cloud in this process.
Lex van Loon is a research fellow in space medicine at the Australian National University.
He recently co-authored a research paper focusing on the creation of a mathematical model for studying the effects of microgravity on the human body.
In this podcast, Lex talks to host Adam Thorn and co-host Liam McAneny about the dangers of zero-gravity for humans, and how the team’s model may help in solving them.
They also discuss the complexities of treating astronauts in space and the many medical challenges posed by a potential trip to Mars.
Joel Lisk is a space law research associate at the Jeff Bleich Centre at Flinders University in South Australia and a PhD candidate at the Adelaide Law School.
He recently co-authored a research paper on the regulation of satellite constellations and space debris in low-Earth orbit alongside Melissa de Zwart.
In this podcast, Joel speaks to host Adam Thorn about how he found himself in the emerging field of space law and the complexities of the field.
They discuss the increasing risk of space debris on earth and in orbit and look at some of the avenues for regulation.
Karu Esselle is a distinguished professor in electromagnetic and antenna engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and was crowned the overall winner at both the Australian Space and Defence Industry awards.
In total, he has taken home a remarkable four trophies in the last year.
Here, he speaks to host Adam Thorn about his career, including his groundbreaking work on internet solutions from space.
They also discuss the state of the industry, and how Australia can compete on the global stage.
Dr Fabian Zander is a senior research fellow in aerospace engineering at the University of Southern Queensland.
He recently spearheaded a project where a team conducted unique in-flight observations of debris emanating from a fragmented comet.
Dr Zander is also a key player, using the university’s world-beating hypersonic wind tunnel which is keeping Australia at the forefront of one of the sector’s most exciting technologies.
On this week’s episode, he talks host Adam Thorn through the two projects, and how we can get more young people to enter our industry.
Advanced Navigation is an Australian company that designs and builds devices to help the navigation of spacecraft in orbit.
What began as a university thesis has evolved into an organisation now planning to be Australia’s first to operate on the moon in the next couple of years.
This week, its CEO, Xavier Orr, tells host Adam Thorn how its pioneering systems work.
The pair also talk through the progress of the local industry, and why Advanced Navigation’s recent acquisition will allow it to expand into on-Earth autonomous vehicles that are unable to use GPS.
Space Machines Company will next year launch a spacecraft that can taxi commercial satellites into their orbital paths around Earth.
When complete, the 270-kilogram Optimus orbital transfer vehicle will be the largest commercial spacecraft designed and built in Australia.
On this week’s episode, the business’ CEO, Rajat Kulshrestha, tells host Adam Thorn how it works.
He also discusses the local industry and how Space Machines works with launch specialist Gilmour.
Kleos Space is a “spy satellite” company based in Luxembourg but listed on the ASX.
The business’ revolutionary approach means its satellites can spot illegal activity on Earth by detecting radio frequencies, rather than just taking simple images.
Kleos’ co-founder, Andy Bowyer, talks about how the technology works and how he grew the firm.
He also discusses how the rise of Kleos signals a shift away from major advancements being the preserve of big governments and primes.
Defence Space Command is the new space division of the ADF and currently resides within the RAAF.
On this week’s episode, Bella Richards sits down with its new head, Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts.
The two discuss what the new division will do and why it is so significant as space becomes more congested and contested.
Plus, the Air Vice-Marshal also explains her experiences in the early years of her career and how she will build a new culture in Defence Space Command from scratch.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect podcast, host Bella Richards meets Stéphane Israël, who is the CEO of Europe's largest launch provider, Arianespace – which is also the company that launched the iconic James Webb Telescope into space.
The duo discusses the most anticipated launch of the decade that occurred on Christmas Day in 2021, and what it looked like for the Arianespace team, along with the trials and errors the company encountered over the years before blast-off.
The two also chat about the recent Ukraine-Russia crisis and how it has pulled the plug on one of Arianespace’s most important partnerships with Roscosmos. Stéphane described the challenges the war has put on the company’s operations, and how it is navigating the next steps.
Lastly, Bella and Stéphane talk about Arianespace’s upcoming launches for Australia’s Optus 11 satellite, and how the company is slated to support the nation’s space ambitions over the coming years.
It’s becoming easier for smaller businesses to secure access to space, but what challenges remain? In this special episode, the founder of Gilmour Space, Adam Gilmour, and Microsoft Azure’s Lynn McDonald talk to host Adam Thorn about the current situation in Australia. They discuss whether government initiatives are working, why space is becoming critical infrastructure and the new opportunities for Australia’s space businesses. Finally, the pair chat about how they work together and why collaboration will become more common as the industry evolves.
In a time where more satellites are launching into space than ever, it is vital to have a 24/7 eye in the sky.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, host Bella Richards chats to managing director and president of LeoLabs Australia, Terry van Haren. The two first discuss the importance of having radars looking at orbiting objects in space at all times.
Then, Bella and Terry chat about the latest news of LeoLabs being selected by Japan to provide data services with the ability to track satellites and debris in low-Earth orbit. The two talk about why this contract is significant, and how it is also beneficial for Australia.
Lastly, the duo discusses the ongoing ramifications of the Russian anti-satellite test that occurred in November last year, and how LeoLabs was a key player in tracking the resulting debris.
In a world where space is moving away from being the preserve of big governments, are smaller players doing enough to keep their assets secure?
In this special podcast episode, Microsoft Azure’s Lynn McDonald and Peter Padd from cyber security experts Fortifyedge discuss why the industry needs to be proactive against this evolving threat.
Padd argues that many of our current defences cannot keep up with increasingly clever attacks and says we need to shift to using AI and machine learning to stay secure.
McDonald, meanwhile, says the industry needs to rethink its approach, with our satellites in space now critical infrastructure to support life on earth.
Space Centre Australia is gearing up to be the nation’s first large-scale, multi-use spaceport, due to be fully operational by 2028.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards sits down with James Palmer and Nick Mullings of Palm Branch Group, parent company to Space Centre Australia, to learn all about the development.
Located in Far North Queensland, Space Centre Australia will ensure that Australia is able to meet growing market demand for space launch capabilities while engaging with the local community and paying respect to the traditional owners.
Both coming from military backgrounds, Palmer and Mullings also discuss their career history, getting into the space field, and the exciting future of the space sector in Australia.
Without whole-of-industry collaboration, Australia’s space sector will not flourish. On this week’s episode of Space Connect podcast, host Bella Richards chats to QUT’s industry engagement director, Ali Buchberger, and Boeing’s research and development lead, Dr Jason Armstrong, about the importance of partnering academia and industry together to produce pioneering space technologies that will drive international investment. The crew chats about some of the previous challenges of collaborating as an industry, and how Australia can ensure it is working together amid the surplus of government funding pouring in.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast, Bella Richards is joined by the University of Sydney’s Rocketry Team, who is set to compete against over 150 other universities in June with its Bluewren rocket. Executive director Alison Lockley and project director Alistair de Vroet chat about what the USYD Rocketry Team does, and how they are preparing for the upcoming competition, led completely by a group of university students. The crew also discusses how the team plays a significant role in inspiring young people to take a career in space.
Without funding for basic research, many space workers are out of jobs. On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards is joined by Professor Phil Bland from Curtin University, who is also the director of the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC). Professor Bland reveals that Australia needs to aim higher in funding basic research to make more discoveries, send more homegrown spacecraft into orbit, and to keep people in their jobs. Bella and Phil also chat about Curtin’s Binar-1 launch last year, the challenges that came with it, and how it proved that Australia does have all the space capabilities.
There is no one solution to managing the tens of thousands of satellites in orbit but being a responsible user of space is a start.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, Electro Optic Systems CEO Glen Tindall joins the team again to chat about the increasing importance of situational awareness in space, especially as hundreds of thousands of satellites are expected to be launched in the coming decades.
Tindall also discusses how large satellites are still relevant amid the industry’s progression towards nanosatellites.
Lastly, the duo chats about Australia’s movement away from one-off grants that stimulate temporary growth, towards an industry that has a full enough supply chain to wholly deliver the nation’s interests in space.
Australia is currently a prime location for space investment, and this wouldn’t have been the case a few years ago.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards chats to the CEO of the Space Industry Association of Australia, James Brown, about how Australia was a popular country at the 37th Space Symposium in Colorado.
The duo also chatted about SIAA’s role in advocating for the space industry in Australia, and what the latest budget announcements mean for the sector.
Lastly, Brown speaks out on Australia's annual space budget, and how, despite recent allocations have increased the number, it is still not enough.
For a moon rover to be as autonomous as possible, it requires the right technology to be built into it. On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards chats to robotics expert Thierry Peynot, a professor leading a team at the Queensland University of Technology that has built a navigation and perception system that could be used for the Australian rover launching to the moon. Thierry talks about the difficulty in creating a product that can withstand the moon’s environment, how he is solving that with a facility that can imitate lunar-like conditions, and how science fiction was the catalyst for his robotics career. Lastly, he speaks on why robotics is important, and how it can be improved upon in Australia for the benefit of the space industry.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards chats to Dr Aaron Cavosie, an American-born geologist, geochemist and planetary scientist. Dr Cavosie chats about the recent discovery he and his PhD student made from a Mars meteorite sample – that could change what we know about the Red Planet – and the fundamental importance of space geology when it comes to future explorations. While America is known as the biggest space giant in the world, Dr Cavosie explains why Australia is the place to be as a geologist and planetary scientist.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, Fleet Space Technologies co-founder and CEO Flavia Tata Nardini chats to host Bella Richards all about how she started the company before Australia had a space agency, why nanosatellites are the future, and The Seven Sisters consortium. Nardini reveals why nanosatellites are important in this era of the space industry, particularly for Australia, how Fleet Space considers space weather when launching into orbit, and how satellites could serve in searching for resources on Mars and the moon.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat to Dr Alice Gorman, also known as Dr Space Junk, about her current project on the International Space Station and the space debris crisis. Gorman chats to the crew about her archaeological project on the ISS that is studying how the astronauts work and live, and it may help future space station endeavours or even long-term human spaceflight. The trio also discuss the current state of space junk in orbit, and Gorman urges Australia to impose laws that insist companies provide a deorbiting strategy for every launch.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards chats with space, defence and aviation veteran Brett Biddington about his thoughts on Australia’s current trajectory towards sovereign capability. During the episode, Brett reveals his thoughts on what Australia should focus on when it comes to space – such as ground stations rather than launches – and how, without a firm space policy, the nation won’t achieve much of its key interests. Bella and Brett also chat about Australia’s skills shortage and how the lack of grassroots education is hindering the growth of positions being filled.
In this bonus episode of the Australian Aviation podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and MAJGEN (Ret’d) Marcus Thompson discuss the importance of Australian business, including the space sector, preparing for possible cyber threats.
The pair begin by discussing MAJGEN (Ret’d) Thompson’s recent opinion piece in The Australian Financial Review, which dives into Russia’s history of cyber and information warfare, and the threat of Russian cyber-attacks being weaponised in reprisal against Australia for supporting Ukraine during the recent conflict.
Both hosts continue by discussing the impact of cyber warfare on Australian businesses, and how many malicious actors work in concert with state-sponsored groups to exploit the cyber domain.
The pair wraps up the podcast by analysing how cyber remains an integral part in both hybrid and greyzone warfare, and that foreign actors will continue to use cyber as an essential attack vector in future conflicts.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Bella Richards chats with Dr Rebecca Allen, a long-time astronomist, and the lead of an Australian project in collaboration with secondary high school students that have sought to create space-made yoghurt on the International Space Station.
As the team currently awaits the arrival of their space-made yoghurt back to Australia, Dr Allen chats about why they decided on yoghurt, how this could help astronauts in the future and her experience as a woman in the space industry.
James Webb will send back images of space to Earth in the coming months, but until then, it’s fine-tuning its sensors to produce the best quality.
On this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about the first star Webb has encountered, and how the telescope has now locked onto it for its first guiding process.
Next, the team discusses NBN’s response to a major power disruption last year over a potential micrometeorite collision, claiming it was simply “rocket science”.
Lastly, the duo talks about Scotland’s sustainability ambitions regarding the space industry, and whether the nation will follow through.
Gilmour Space Technologies is building a system that can abort a rocket launch on its own if any abnormality is detected.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast, Adam Thorn and Bella Richards discuss the system that Gilmour is creating with SENER Aeroespacial, and whether this will save future launches more time and money.
Next, the team chats about the American government’s plan to deorbit the International Space Station in 2031, and whether that shows a transition into the commercial market, or if there is a more sinister reason, such as the breakdown of international partnerships in space.
Lastly, the crew discusses NASA choosing Lockheed Martin to build a rocket that will launch from Mars for the first time ever to bring back samples of the Red Planet to Earth, and what this huge mission will look like.
A Curtin University student has made a ‘strange’ discovery through a wide-view telescope using his own technique.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about the beam that was discovered in the Milky Way that emits radiation multiple times an hour, and whether it is a clue of something astronomers have only known existed theoretically.
Next, the team discusses China's ambitious five-year plan to claim power in space, all from finishing the nation’s space station, launching more satellites and reaching for the moon again.
Lastly, the crew chats about the alleged abandoned SpaceX rocket that is set to impact the moon in March and how long-time observers made this discovery.
Flinders University has launched an “archeological experiment” on the ISS to determine how astronauts interact with their surroundings in space.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, Adam Thorn, Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss what this study is all about, and how it is considered archeological.
Then the crew chats about a new report that has been released in Australia urging the nation to increase its sovereign Earth observation satellite capabilities, in fears it won’t be prepared for a future space weather event.
Next, the group discusses how Australia was chosen to build the rover for the moon because of its “world-class” mining and expertise in working in harsh conditions.
Lastly, the trio chats about the first spacewalk of the year on the ISS and Liam closes off with the first space fact of the year.
The long-awaited James Webb telescope finally launched on Christmas Day and the observatory is now making its final adjustments before revealing the universe’s biggest mysteries.
On the first Space Connect Podcast episode for 2022, Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about Webb’s successful launch and all the latest updates.
Then, the duo discusses Gilmour Space Technologies’ latest rocket engine test fire, and how this marks one step closer to seeing the first Aussie-built rocket launch into space.
Lastly, the crew chats about a zero-emission, supersonic spaceplane that is being built by an Australian start-up, and how it could be a more sustainable way of launching satellites into space in the future.
Australia is leading a new initiative to search for planets that could sustain life from the world’s nearest triple star system, Alpha Centauri.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat to the project leader, Professor Peter Tuthill, about what this mission means and whether he believes the team will find what they are looking for by the middle of the decade.
He walks the crew through how the mission came about, how it was a “stab in the dark” and what his hopes are in finding a planet in the unseen.
For Australia to take the next steps within the space industry, it must first form a core policy and develop a whole-of-government strategy.
In this week's episode of Space Connect Podcast, hosts Bella Richards and Liam Garman chat to Tristan Moss, a historian studying Australia’s space industry, about a paper he recently published on what improvements are needed to further the nation's sovereign capability.
He walks Bella and Liam through the history of the industry, what needs to change and how the lack of a core space policy leaves Australia with a disjointed industry, and furthermore, a lack of direction.
The commercialisation of space, billionaire joyrides, the first movie filmed in space, a Russian anti-satellite test and the International Space Station in danger – 2021 was a big year for the industry.
On this end-of-year wrap up episode, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about the biggest themes that came out of 2021 – commercial space and debris – and how these shaped the industry forever.
The duo ends the episode with their expectations of what is to come next year: from the development of low-Earth orbit space stations and finally, the long-awaited commercial rocket launch from Australia.
The first extreme wide-view observatory was launched in Australia last week and is set to boost the nation’s space situational awareness.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards discuss how Silentium Defence built an observatory that uses innovative technology, and how Australia could be the global leader in this space.
Lastly, the crew chats about NASA’s two launches last week: The IXPE spacecraft and the LCRD spacecraft. IXPE will study supermassive black holes and cosmic phenomena, and LCRD will test a potentially enhanced way of communicating in space.
The Trailblazer program officially kicked off this week, enabling space companies to now access up to $50 million in government grants to build NASA a rover for the moon.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn, Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss what this development means for Australia. They also talk about the university that has already built a navigation system that could be used for the rover.
Next, the crew chatted about the buzz word ‘debris’ again, as the International Space Station was forced to deal with the increasing fears of space junk twice in one week.
Lastly, Liam shares his fact of the week all about space insurance, and what companies really pay to keep their operations in check.
On this week's episode of the Space Connect Podcast, CEO of Southern Launch Lloyd Damp has joined hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards to discuss how the company is positioned to become the ‘Cape Canaveral’ of Australia.
Southern Launch is set on delivering the first permanent commercial launch site in Australia and Damp chats to the crew about what the company has learned after the three unsuccessful attempts to blast off a rocket in September, why the Whalers Way location was chosen and what this means for Australia's space industry.
NASA has launched its DART spacecraft towards an asteroid this week, testing whether it can deflect a potentially dangerous asteroid from colliding with Earth.
In this week’s episode of Space Connect Podcast, host Adam Thorn and co-hosts Bella Richards and Liam Garman chat about how the DART mission will work and whether NASA is prepared for the results.
The crew also discusses Saber Astronautics and Axiom Space’s new deal to get Australian astronauts onto the International Space Station, and how this is the next step to advance the nation’s space industry.
Lastly, Liam shares his fact of the week all about Australia's space industry and how it compares with other nations.
This was a big week for space, and making headlines is the developing story of Russia launching anti-satellite missiles into low-Earth Orbit, creating over 1,000 fragments of space debris.
On this week's Space Connect Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporters Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss the US condemning Russia for the anti-satellite test posing a threat to space activities and the growing tensions between nations.
Next, the crew chats about NASA announcing it has delayed the Artemis moon mission an additional year, and whether the lack of funding shows that the US is just not as invested in it anymore.
Lastly, Liam shares his space fact of the week about satellites and situational awareness.
Last week, Tom Hanks revealed he rejected Blue Origin's offer to sit on the NS-18 spaceflight before William Shatner was given the chance.
On this week's Space Connect Podcast, host Adam Thorn and reporters Bella Richards and Liam Garman chat about why Hanks declined the offer and if this is another example of space remaining inaccessible.
Then, the team discusses Crew-2 launching back to Earth after six months on the International Space Station, the auroras they were treated to before departing and why we will see these more often in the coming years.
Lastly, the crew chats about Swinburne University of Technology's announcement to launch a research hub for lowering launch costs and developing flying cars, before Liam shares his space fact of the week.
NASA is calling for the public to create an artificial intelligence algorithm for the Perseverance to better explore terrain.
On this week's episode of the Space Connect Podcast, host Adam Thorne and reporters Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss what the public can do to help Perseverance, and whether this could be used for future planet explorers.
Next, the crew discusses NSW wrapping up a week at a Middle Eastern space conference and how Minister Stuart Ayres believes NSW is the space state, despite common perception that South Australia is pioneering in space innovation.
Lastly, the trio discusses an Aussie cyber security firm which trialled its algorithms on the International Space Station.
Blue Origin continues to push boundaries in space and announced this week it is building a low Earth orbit space station. On this week's Space Connect Podcast episode, host Adam Thorne and reporters Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss whether this is the next step forward in commercialising space, and who the space station is actually for.
The crew also chats about NASA and SpaceX's Crew-3 mission, which is bound to launch at the end of this month for a six-month stay on the International Space Station, completing multiple science experiments. Lastly, Liam shares another space fact of the week, all about anti-satellite laws and a tidbit that you might not know.
Just over a week ago, the third Australian flew to space onboard a Blue Origin New Shepard spacecraft with the iconic Star Trek Captain Kirk, 90-year-old William Shatner.
On this week's Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat to Dr Chris Boshuizen, the homebred Aussie who is now officially an astronaut.
Dr Boshuizen revealed to us how he got on the spaceflight, the sense of "connectedness" he felt, the state of the Australian space sector and how he fell in love with the industry to begin with.
South Australia has now been recognised as the 'space state' according to the government, as the region gains even more momentum within the industry.
On this week's Space Connect Podcast, host Adam Thorne and reporters Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss the new space weather hub launched in South Australia, and what that means for the industry.
Then, the crew chat about Lockheed Martin recruiting engineering company Shoal Group for the nation-wide Joint Project 9102, set to develop Australia's own communications satellite, and how it will further sovereign capability within the defence and space sector.
Lastly, the trio discuss the fourth Aussie to reach space onboard Blue Origin's New Shepard, and his thoughts on space travel soon becoming affordable.
Warning: This show has been marked as explicit
World Space Week kicked off this week and the theme this year focuses on celebrating "Women in Space" in a bid to reduce gender-stereotypes within STEM.
On this week's Space Connect podcast episode, host Adam Thorn and reporters Hannah Dowling and Bella Richards chat about 90-year-old William Shatner joining the next Blue Origin flight, claiming the title of the oldest man to reach the edge of space.
The crew then discussed the essay written by present and former Blue Origin staff, who accused the company of allegedly prioritising speed over safety and adopting a culture of sexism.
Lastly, the trio chat about all things women in space and how there is still a large gender gap within the industry, and why that may be.
Australia’s first commercial launch site takes a break after Southern Launch decided to ditch the Hapith I rocket following three failed attempts.
On this week’s Space Connect Podcast, Adam, Liam and Bella discuss Southern Launch’s decision to move on from TiSPACE, and what will happen next for the company.
The trio also discusses another commercial launchpad in Arnhem Land that is getting ready for its launch next year, which will also mark the first NASA launch outside of the US.
Then the crew discusses the 30 companies – spearheaded by Gilmour Space – who are pushing the federal government to launch three manufacturing facilities in Queensland, and whether this will propel the nation’s sovereign capabilities forward.
Lastly, the group chats about NASA’s choice of the Nobile crater for its VIPER moon mission, set to prepare the way for astronauts returning to the lunar surface.
In the latest Space Connect Podcast episode, Adam, Liam and Bella chat about the latest mishaps Southern Launch’s Whalers Way launch has faced.
The company is on its third postponement, and the team discusses what will happen moving forward, and whether these issues are not so bad after all.
Plus, the team talks about another Australian company, Black Sky Aerospace, which has also faced a few technical issues, forcing the postponement of the company’s rocket launch as well.
Lastly, the crew chats about the iconic SpaceX Inspiration4 mission and how it may lead the space industry into a new era.
Welcome the first edition of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast with our hosts Major General (Ret'd) Marcus Thompson, former head of the Department of Defence's Information Warfare Division, and Phil Tarrant, director — defence and security at Momentum Media.
The Cyber Security Uncut podcast is a fortnightly podcast unpacking Australia's innovative and vibrant cyber security sector, from the latest business trends facing the industry through to breaking global news.
The pair begin by analysing the emerging trends within cyber warfare and the growing use of information operations as an exploitable domain. They also examine how cyber security is an ever growing financial risk to Australian companies, discussing the importance of cyber security protocols within businesses.
The podcast wraps up by analysing the importance of a sovereign cyber security industry in Australia to service the nation's growing cyber security needs.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Security Connect Team
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, Adam, Hannah and Bella discuss the much-anticipated Whalers Way launch being delayed, and the concerns locals have about the launch pad site.
Plus, the team talked about the James Webb Telescope launch set for the end of this year, a major development that has been in the works for 14 years.
Lastly, an Australian company is launching CCTV-like high-resolution cameras into space, helping spacecraft owners keep watch of their equipment.
This year's R U OK? Day serves as an important reminder to open up the conversation on mental health, both in the workplace and at home, according to David Coleman, member for Banks and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
In this special episode, join Momentum Media director Alex Whitlock as he speaks to Mr Coleman.
Together, the pair discuss the importance of shining a spotlight on mental health issues, share why the consequences of stigmatising mental health are significant, and reveal how you can make a difference to your workplace, community, family and friends.
Perseverance has achieved its goal of retrieving a Mars rock sample, just over a year since it touched down.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, Adam, Hannah and Liam discuss the rover’s relationship with its helicopter wingman Ingenuity, and the success of the mission so far.
Plus, the trio chat NASA’s flying taxis, trouble for Virgin Galactic and a big day out for Australia’s space industry, with the launch of CUAVA-1 and Binar-1.
Does the duel launch signal a new battle between states for supremacy of our growing space sector?
Adam Gilmour is the founder and CEO of Gilmour Space.
Gilmour’s philosophy is that rockets can be made smaller, cheaper and faster, and doing so will open up space and make it far more accessible.
This week, host Phil Tarrant speaks to Adam, who explains how his company is developing a rocket that will be powered by cheaper hybrid propulsion technology.
The pair also discuss the exciting future of Australia’s emerging space industry.
This week, an American astrophysicist has pointed the finger at a 1996 Russian rocket as the cause of the Chinese Yunhai 1-02 satellite breakdown, after its debris collided with the satellite in March.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, co-hosts Adam Thorn, Liam Garman and Hannah Dowling discuss the incident, and the ever-growing concern of space debris wreaking havoc, as well as possible future solutions.
Plus, the team discusses the latest update in Jeff Bezos’ unrelenting attempt to secure NASA’s moon lander contract under the Artemis Program, months after the $2.9 billion contract was awarded to rival SpaceX.
Finally, the crew talks about Boeing’s Starliner mission being delayed into 2022 and possibly beyond, due to faults found in the rocket’s thrusters.
This week, NASA was forced to reassess its timeline for putting man back on the moon by 2024, citing issues in the development of its next-generation spacesuits.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, co-hosts Adam Thorn and Hannah Dowling discuss the Artemis program delay, and how commercial space ventures could be the answer.
Plus, the crew talks about the new Russian Nauka module, which officially docked aboard the ISS and sparked a series of launch delays back on Earth.
Finally, the team reveals the latest update with NASA’s supersonic jet development.
Glen Tindall is the chief executive of EOS, which develops global satellite communication products, systems and services.
Formed in 1982 here in Australia, EOS has made international headlines for its pioneering technology in the space domain, including the SpaceLink communications satellites.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, Tindall talks through the tech with hosts Liam Garman and Adam Thorn.
Plus, they discuss what’s next for Australia’s local industry in the light of more state and federal government investment.
This week saw the Perseverance rover prepare to begin taking its first sample of Martian soil in the continued search for evidence of ancient life on Mars, as the FAA changed its definition of what it means to be an astronaut.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, co-hosts Adam Thorn, Liam Garman and Hannah Dowling discuss the latest update on the Mars rover’s movements and the ethical implications - and risks - of searching for life on other planets.
Plus, the team discusses Jeff Bezos’ first spaceflight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, and the FAA’s decision to alter the requirements for those seeking ‘astronaut wings’ in light of the growing trend of ‘space tourism’.
Finally, the team reveals the latest news in Australia’s home-grown space industry, including the first grants offered under the UK-AU Space Bridge, and the establishment of the NSW Space Research Network.
This week saw NASA finally locate a possible repair for the famous Hubble Space Telescope, while Blue Origin announced that its $30m bidder for a seat on Jeff Bezos’ space flight is suddenly too busy to attend.
In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, co-hosts Adam Thorn, Liam Garman and Hannah Dowling discuss the upcoming Bezos spaceflight on Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, the multimillion-dollar bidder’s sudden change of heart, and who is set to take their place.
Plus, the team talks you through the current state of the Hubble Space Telescope after being out of action for over a month, and how NASA believes it has located a possible repair for the flying observatory.
Closer to home, the team also discusses a new partnership between Thales Australia and Western Sydney University, and their recent grant funding falling under NASA’s Moon to Mars mission.
This week, billionaire Sir Richard Branson beat rival Jeff Bezos and blasted off to space for the first time… or so he says.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Liam Garman, joined by reporter Hannah Dowling, sat down to discuss Sir Richard’s momentous efforts to touch the edge of space, and flesh out the debate about whether or not he did or did not, in fact, reach space.
Plus, the crew again talk about the growing threat of space junk, how it got to be there, and what’s being done to retrieve decades-old debris from space.
Finally, the team gives you the latest update on NASA’s Mars Helicopter and its companion, the Perseverance Rover, as the Ingenuity rotorcraft hit a major new milestone.
In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Liam Garman were joined by reporter Hannah Dowling to discuss this new-age space race, and the feasibility of the future of ‘space tourism’.
But first, the crew reviews the winners of the Australian space industry’s night of nights, following the Australian Space Awards 2021.
Plus, the team examines NATO’s decision to extend its collective defence clause – Article 5 – to include acts of war in space, and the latest development in Australia’s national space capabilities.
Lockheed Martin Space is at the very forefront of our modern space revolution, building satellites and spacecraft to take us further than we’ve been before and change life on Earth, too.
On the first episode of the rebooted, retooled and relaunched Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn and Liam Garman interview LMS international vice president Rod Drury.
Drury talks about why our new industry is so innovative, how space will rethink how we defend our skies and why his background in the RAAF was invaluable.
Finally, the team discusses how feasible it is that man will return to Mars in a decade. Is the will, and the tech, there for man’s ultimate mission?
CEO of Electro Optic Systems, Ben Greene, remembers watching the moon landing live. In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, he shares his predictions of how in the not too distant future a crewed Mars landing will be the next big leap in space exploration.
Greene will discuss the services that EOS provides, how its focus has shifted throughout its 35 years in business, and provide a pre-emptive look into what its focus will be in years to come. He will discuss the calibre and amount of talent that is emerging within the Australian space sector, why there has been such growth in interest within the industry, and where Australian capability will be represented as the sector continues to flourish.
With space debris a major concern, with some believing that it could deny access to space for humankind in the future, Greene will unpack who is responsible for the debris, how it is being tracked and the role that Australia is playing in its clean up.