Space Connect Podcast

How can modern manufacturing processes, industry collaboration and workforce development help strengthen Australia's growing space sector? In this special Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 edition of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Mitchell Galloway and Peter Gibson from FUCHS Lubricants Australia. The trio discuss the growing role of sovereign manufacturing in Australia's space and defence industries, the importance of developing local supply chains and how businesses can engage with universities and emerging talent to build long-term capability. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The importance of sovereign manufacturing, local supply chains and Australian-made products in supporting both space and defence capability. How dual-use technologies and industry collaboration are creating opportunities across the space and defence sectors. FUCHS' engagement with universities and the value of industry partnerships with academia. The benefits of internship programs and practical industry experience in developing Australia's future engineering workforce. The significance of the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register and Defence Industry Security Program requirements for companies seeking to work with defence primes and government. Industry perspectives on the state of Australia's space sector, investment trends and the need for continued commercial growth despite government funding pressures. Advice for students seeking careers in space and defence, including the importance of pursuing areas of genuine interest and passion. Finally, the discussion wraps up by exploring how Australia can continue building sovereign capability through local manufacturing, industry collaboration and investment in the next generation of engineers and technical professionals. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can Australia leverage next-generation solar technology and sovereign manufacturing capability to strengthen its position in the global space economy? In today's Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 episode of the Space Connect podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Paul Mooney, founder and CEO of Australian solar technology company Halocell Energy. The pair discuss development of advanced perovskite solar technology designed for space applications, drones, and high-altitude platforms. They also explore potential for lightweight, flexible solar cells to provide a lower-cost alternative to traditional space-grade solar technology, while reducing supply chain risks associated with critical minerals. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The rise of perovskite solar technology and why it is being viewed as a potential game changer for space and aerospace applications. Challenges facing the global space-grade solar market, including critical mineral shortages, long lead times, and supply chain vulnerabilities. How Australian companies can commercialise locally developed research and strengthen sovereign manufacturing capability. The growing demand for lightweight, flexible solar cells across satellites, drones, high-altitude platforms, and future space missions. Emerging concepts in space-based solar power, energy transfer, and the future of orbital infrastructure. The importance of sovereign space manufacturing as part of Australia's broader critical infrastructure and national resilience strategy. Opportunities for Australia to build advanced manufacturing capability through automation, innovation, and next-generation energy technologies. The role of solar technology in extending the endurance of electric drones and supporting future defence and aerospace applications. Finally, the discussion wraps up by exploring the need for Australia to move beyond resource extraction and develop higher-value manufacturing capability that can support both the domestic space sector and international export markets. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How is hypersonic technology reshaping access to space, defence capability and the future of sovereign aerospace innovation? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Matt Hill, chief executive officer of Hypersonix Launch Systems, during the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Sydney. Hill discusses the company's landmark DART AE launch in February, the lessons learnt from real-world hypersonic flight testing, and how Hypersonix is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation aerospace technology. He also explores the challenges of operating at Mach 5 and beyond, the role of Australia's growing space sector, and the opportunities emerging across defence and commercial markets. The discussion examines Hypersonix's long-term roadmap, from its DART testbed platform to the larger VISOR and Delta Velos vehicles, while highlighting how decades of Australian research are helping to unlock new frontiers in hypersonic flight and novel pathways to space. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: Managing thermal challenges, telemetry and subsystem integration during flight at Mach 5 and above. Defence, commercial and dual-use applications for hypersonic technology and reusable testbed platforms. Australia's position in the global hypersonic race and why the West has prioritised testing in recent years. Commercial funding, government support and creating sustainable revenue streams through hypersonic test services. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can Australia inspire more young people to pursue careers in space, STEM and national capability from an early age? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Jen Malone, founder of the Young Astronauts Club Australia, during the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Sydney. Malone discusses the origins of the Young Astronauts Club, how the grassroots initiative has grown into a national science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach program, and why engaging children early is critical to addressing Australia's future space workforce needs. The discussion explores education, industry collaboration and the growing opportunities across Australia's civil and defence space sectors while examining how initiatives such as Australia's astronaut program are inspiring the next generation. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: Why Australia must inspire children to pursue STEM and space careers from an early age. Building the Young Astronauts Club and expanding opportunities for students nationwide. The importance of reaching regional and rural communities through accessible STEM education. Australia's evolving space industry, workforce shortages and emerging career pathways. The growing links between Australia's civil, commercial and defence space sectors. The inspirational impact of Australia's astronaut program and the #FlyKatherine campaign. Industry collaboration, private investment and Australia's role in the global space ecosystem. The influence of AI, emerging technologies and future lunar exploration in today's students. Plans to launch a national online Young Astronauts Club, making space education accessible regardless of postcode. Finally, the discussion wraps up by examining the importance of family engagement, community support and creating lasting pathways that encourage young Australians to become the scientists, engineers and space professionals of the future. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

What does it take to build and launch a student-led satellite project while preparing for a career in Australia's rapidly evolving space sector? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Luc Fichera during the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Sydney. Fichera explains his role in Queensland University of Technology Aerospace Society's successful design, build and launch of SATypus-ONE CubeSat program. The discussion explores how student-led innovation, industry collaboration and Australia's growing aerospace ecosystem are helping shape the next generation of space capability. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: Lessons learnt from managing a student satellite program, overcoming engineering bottlenecks and coordinating multidisciplinary teams. How industry partnerships and sponsorship help enable launch opportunities and support commercial payload integration. The value of practical experience, student clubs and hands-on projects for building careers in the space sector. Insights into Australia's emerging aerospace ecosystem and the importance of networking, collaboration and community development. The challenges facing start-ups and commercial space ventures, including funding pressures and long-term industry sustainability. Talent retention, international competition and how Australia can create compelling career opportunities for engineers and scientists. The growing overlap between space and defence technologies and the role of dual-use innovation across both sectors. Perspectives on commercial space growth, public investment and why space capability delivers broader benefits back on Earth. Finally, the discussion wraps up by examining the future of Australia's space industry, the importance of outreach and developing pathways that inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can Australia turn its geographic advantages into sovereign space capability while accelerating commercial science, launch infrastructure and AI-enabled aerospace operations? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by James Palmer, founder and chief executive officer of Space Centre Australia, during the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 held in Sydney. The discussion explores how commercialisation, AI integration and international partnerships are reshaping the future of Australia's space sector and positioning the nation within the global space economy. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The public debut of Space Centre Australia's AI-enabled mission node platform and how it supports real-time scientific analysis and mission operations. How AI can accelerate data processing, reduce turnaround times and support mission qualification while maintaining human oversight. Guardrails, trusted data environments and the importance of secure AI architectures for scientific and defence applications. The dual-use opportunities for airborne analytics, geospatial intelligence and command-and-control decision support. The strategic value of airborne science platforms and how modified aircraft can unlock new Earth observation and environmental research capability. Integrating advanced computing and AI directly into aerospace platforms to support future scientific and operational missions. Challenges facing the Australian space sector, including funding uncertainty, investment access and sustaining long-term growth. The importance of commercial leadership, ecosystem development and attracting new talent into aerospace and deep technology industries. Launch infrastructure, responsive space access and the growing importance of manufacturing and supply chain resilience. Finally, the discussion wraps up by examining how Australia can strengthen its space ecosystem, attract global partnerships and convert geographic advantage into enduring sovereign capability. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How should Australia position itself in the global space competition as new technologies challenge existing rules and governance frameworks? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Professor Steven Freeland, emeritus professor at Western Sydney University, professorial fellow at Bond University and former member of the Australian Space Agency Advisory Board (2020–24). Freeland is also chair of the United Nations Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities and will appear as a panel speaker at the upcoming Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 on 17 and 18 June at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: Current challenges and opportunities facing international space law and governance. How Australia can strengthen its role as a respected middle space power. The policy settings and government support needed to grow sovereign space capability. Balancing international cooperation and competition as space activity expands. The growing role of AI and autonomous systems across space operations. The risks of orbital congestion, space debris and long-term space sustainability. The future of space resource activity and the need for practical global frameworks. Finally, the discussion explores how Australia can build on its strengths and contribute to a safer and more sustainable future in space. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can Australia build a stronger role in the global space economy and position itself for the next phase of commercial space activity? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Bradley Hatton-Jones, founder and chief executive of Gold Coast-based space logistics company Orbit2Orbit. Hatton-Jones is a South African-born aerospace entrepreneur leading Orbit2Orbit in developing in-space logistics capability designed to move cargo and support operations between orbital destinations. He is also attending the upcoming Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 held on 17 and 18 June at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: Australia's space policy settings and the need for clearer national direction and reduced regulatory complexity. How Australia can leverage its geography, launch capability and industrial strengths to build a competitive space sector. The vision for Australia as a full-cycle space nation spanning launch, in-space operations, recovery and reuse. Recent developments across domestic industry and the challenges of funding, coordination and government support. The rise of in-space logistics, reusable spacecraft and sustainable orbital infrastructure. The role of collaboration, competition and commercial partnerships across the space ecosystem. How AI and autonomous systems are changing engineering, operations and growth across the industry. The long-term challenge of orbital congestion, space sustainability and governance for routine space operations. Finally, the discussion wraps up by exploring Australia's priorities to 2030 and how policymakers can enable a more practical and commercially accessible space sector. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How is Australia building a specialised space workforce while balancing sovereign capability, allied integration and the operational demands of a contested domain? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Commander of Australian Space Command, Major General Gregory Novak AM, to discuss the rapid evolution of the space domain and its growing importance to national security. MAJGEN Novak outlines the role of Space Command as a force generation organisation responsible for raising, training and sustaining Australia's space capability. The discussion explores direct entry pathways and creation of dedicated space workforce streams, including space operations officers and specialists as well as how these roles will build deep technical mastery while maintaining integration across land, sea, air and cyber domains. The episode also examines how Australia is prioritising key mission areas such as satellite communications, space domain awareness and missile warning while balancing sovereign capability development with allied and commercial partnerships. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: Introduction of direct entry recruitment pathways for space operations roles. Development of a specialised Australian Defence Force space workforce and career progression model. Key priority mission sets, including satellite communications, space domain awareness and missile warning. Balancing sovereign capability with allied, partner and commercial integration. The role of space in enabling joint force operations and national resilience. Growth of Australia's domestic space industry and opportunities in launch capability. Challenges of operating in a contested and congested space environment. The importance of public awareness and understanding of space's role in everyday life. Finally, the discussion reflects on the future of the space domain, the need for speed in capability development, and the importance of nurturing the next generation of space professionals. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

Franco-American space transportation company Hstar Space is building a heavy-class rocket to blast off global infrastructure into orbit. Its upcoming launch vehicle is designed to carry up to 60 tonnes of payload.  Once complete, they hope to blast it off from spaceports around the world, including locally at the upcoming Space Centre Australia in far north Queensland.  In this special episode, the CEO of Hstar, Nick Orenstein, and the founder of Space Centre Australia, James Palmer, discuss their upcoming plans. 

This week, the Space Connect Podcast features a returning guest: Paul Hawkins, the founder of Crazy Might Work. His company is a leadership and innovation academy that brings lessons from frontiers like space to the workplace. More simply put, Hawkins and his team work with leaders and their teams to create and mobilise high-performing teams. Their re-imagination of NASA's successful 4-D program won the Australian Space Awards 2025 for Workplace Initiative of the Year. Host Adam Thorn and Hawkins discuss this and what exactly makes great leadership and high-performing teams.

Last month, Space Connect held its Australian Space Summit and Exhibition, or AusSpace, in Sydney.  The highlight of the event though was a panel where schoolchildren were given the chance to interview three astronauts. We've got the audio so you can listen in. The panel included Paul Scully-Power, Australia's first-ever astronaut, who went to space in 1984; Eric Philips, who only blasted off to space on a private SpaceX mission in April; and Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the first astronaut to formally qualify under the Australian flag. 

The Australian Space Summit & Exhibition was the biggest event of the year for our local industry. In this special episode recorded at the event, Space Connect editor Adam Thorn and Defence Connect analyst Steve Kuper discuss the main takeaways. The pair discuss the importance of AUKUS to space, the impact of government cuts to the industry and why the sector is so integral to our national defence.

Last week, Space Centre Australia revealed it was set to work with NASA on an audacious proposal to launch satellites via military aircraft. The plan – similar to that pioneered by Virgin Orbit – has already begun testing at the US space agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia using a modified C-130J Super Hercules. In this episode of the Space Connect podcast, SCA's chief executive, James Palmer, discusses how his team plans to do it and if it could lead to a closer collaboration with the US space agency.

If you have been paying attention to the news for the past few weeks, you might have heard about a “city-destroying” asteroid – 2024 YR4 – spotted late last year that had the potential to impact Earth in 2032. While the chances of 2024 YR4 hitting us were once thought to be as high as 3 per cent, they have, fortunately, since been revised down to near zero – but with new asteroids and other objects being spotted all the time, our luck at avoiding the big ones may not hold forever. Fortunately, the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), comprising astronomers and organisations around the world, is on the case, cataloguing and tracking potentially hazardous asteroids and near-Earth objects to keep the risk of being caught by surprise to a minimum. Professor Ed Kruzins of UNSW Canberra is one member of the IAWN and he joins the Space Connect Podcast to discuss how asteroids are tracked, what might happen on an impact – and what we could do to prevent one.

This week, ELO2 Consortium beat out rival AROSE to win the right to create Australia's upcoming lunar rover. The rover is designed to collect regolith, or moon soil, that will eventually be turned into oxygen to support a permanent NASA base. It's arguably the biggest and most exciting project Australia's space sector has ever been involved with, and will work in tandem with NASA's Artemis mission to return humans to the lunar surface. Here, host Adam Thorn interviews two of the key figures at ELO2 overseeing the project: Lunar Outpost's Joseph Kenrick and EPE Oceania's Ben Sorensen. 

Space Centre Australia plans to build a spaceport in far north Queensland that it hopes will become like an international airport for launch vehicles.  However, unlike its local rivals, it believes it can one day host larger rockets manufactured by companies such as SpaceX. In this episode, SCA's founder and CEO, James Palmer, joins host Adam Thorn to talk about the latest developments as well as the appointment of its new chairman, Scott Morrison. The pair also discuss the latest industry topics, including the high-profile cancelling of the JP 9102 tender with Lockheed Martin. 

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.