Space Junk Podcast

CONTENT WARNING: please be aware that this episode includes detailed discussions of wartime killing, and of targeted airstrikes in particular.In this episode I speak to Wing Commander Duncan Blake who spent 22 years as a legal officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, most recently in the Middle East where he provided legal support to aerial targeting operations in Iraq and Syria. He served as the Deputy Director of Operations and International Law for the Australian Department of Defence, providing operations and international law advice and support at the highest levels within Defence and across government. Those of you listening might know Duncan better from his work in international space law. Duncan is currently doing a PhD in space law through Adelaide University and is a driving force behind the Woomera Manual on international law applicable to military space activities. He also teaches at UNSW Canberra. If you'd like to read more about his work, you can find more information here: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/duncan.blake and here: https://www.ialpg.com/duncan-blake/The paper we refer to in the episode is 'I am not the High Priest in a Secular Military!' and can be accessed here: https://law.adelaide.edu.au/ua/media/1017/ALR_40%282%29_17_Blake_Web.pdfThe Steven Shapin paper on the role of experts is called 'The Way We Trust Now: the authority of science and the character of the scientists': https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/shapin/files/shapin-twwtn.pdfSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week I spoke to David Knoff, who recently spent 537 days in Antarctica as the leader at Davis Station. David and his team did not know when they left Australia in late 2019, that the COVID-19 pandemic would change the world and leave them isolated longer than they had ever expected and force them to endure an extended stay without resupply and alone. Prior to his posting in Antarctica, David worked with the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, focused on counter-terrorism in the middle east. He credits his experience of working in a dynamic and hostile environment as shaping his approach to leading teams in unpredictable circumstances and under constant change. Antarctica is a very useful analogue when we think about what it might be like to have lunar bases and long-term space missions. It turns out that David is a massive space nerd, and when I reached out to him to come on the podcast and talk about his experiences he very kindly agreed to do so. Unfortunately due to lockdowns we had to have our conversation over Zoom rather than over a beer in Melbourne, which I think both of us would have vastly preferred, but it turned out to be a fascinating and uplifting conversation that bridged polar medicine, penguins, home brew, dating in Antarctica, and The Bachelor, so please, as always, forgive the slightly less-than-optimal audio quality. You can find David's cute photos of penguins on Instagram at button_film, and as always you can follow me on @anniehandmer on all the socials. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kathryn Robison Hasani, PhD is a political scientist who is passionate about space and science communication. In addition to her doctorate and master's in Political Science from the University of Alabama, Kat also holds degrees in Anthropology, Near Eastern Studies, and American Studies from the University of Arizona and Youngstown State University. She has traveled the world for research and language studies, and is a poet and podcaster. Her research interests are in the fields of space policy and communication (both political and science) with a particular interest in the role communication plays in the formation and dissemination of national space policies. Kat is currently a lecturer at Wake Technical Community College. She is also a member of the International Astronautical Federations's Space Education and Outreach and Workforce Development/Young Professionals Programme Committees and serves as the coordinator for the Next Generation Plenary Steering Committee. As a result of her volunteer work, and in recognition of her contributions to the field, Kat was selected as a 2021 Young Space Leader by the IAF. She is also currently participating in UNOOSA's Space4Women Mentoring Program. You can find out more about Kat at www.kathrynrobison.com or reach out on Twitter at @katrobison. She is always happy to chat about space, poetry, politics, or podcasts. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This slightly chaotic episode features Adeene Denton. Adeene is a planetary geologist who works on surface processes on terrestrial bodies. Her current research focuses on massive impact basins on Pluto, Martian subsurface drainage networks, and tectonic activity on icy satellites. Adeene is trained as a scientist, historian, and dancer, and she's also the co-director of the Ethics and Human Rights in Space Project Group for the Space Generation Advisory Council. Find out more about Adeene on http://www.adeenedenton.com/ or follow Adeene on Twitter: @spacewhalerider Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I interview Dr Sarah Pearce, the deputy director of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science. We talk about Sarah's career path, which includes stints with UK parliament and the Large Hadron Collider, and the challenges and joys of managing the Square Kilometre Array. We also chat about working from home, balancing work and family, and punting! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I am joined by historian of science Dr Audra Wolfe. With a background in both science (B.S., chemistry, Purdue University, 1997) and history (Ph.D., history and sociology of science, University of Pennsylvania, 2002), Audra has been thinking through the relationship between science and power for more than two decades. Her work specifically focuses on the role of science during the Cold War, a period when science held a special place in maintaining and projecting state power. In this episode we talk about Audra's book 'Freedom's Laboratory', and delve into the complex relationship of ideology, funding, and science during the Cold War period in the USA. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The guest for this episode of Space Junk Pod is 17-year-old gender activist Selin Ozunaldim. Selin is Turkey's youngest United Nations HeForShe representative, the founder of Girl Up Istanbul and Girls Who Code Turkey, and is on the Girl Rising task force. She's an absolute powerhouse and I was thrilled to have her on the show to talk about Space, her work with women in STEM, and why she does what she does.You can find Selin on Instagram at @selinozunaldim. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's episode of the “Space Junk” podcast, guest host Luke Pringle interviews Gilmour Space Propulsion Engineer Nick McLean (pronounced like John McClane) about hybrid rockets and how to get a job in the Space industry.Luke is a 16-year-old year-10 student from Cherrybrook Technology High School who has been doing Work Experience with The Space Junk Podcast. Luke is studying engineering, physics, and textile design, and would one day like to work in the space industry as an astronaut or maybe an astronautical engineer. It's been an awesome experience having Luke join my week in a virtual format, and I'd encourage anyone out there who does something cool to consider offering virtual work experience to a young person during this challenging time. Luke picked the guest and the topic, and hosted, edited and produced this episode.Nick McLean is a propulsion engineer who works for Gilmour Space Technologies, a leading venture-funded Australian space company headquartered in Queensland, Australia that is developing new hybrid-engine rockets and associated technology to support the development of a low-cost space launch vehicle.Together Nick and Luke discuss what a hybrid engine is and the advantages of hybrid engines over normal solid and liquid engines. Additionally, they discuss how to get into the space sector and what traits are looked for in budding engineers and scientists.Also during the recording, a bird outside Nick's window was determined on interrupting the recording session and being in on the action during the podcast. Welcome to Australia. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I'm delighted to be able to let you know that the Space Junk Podcast has been picked up by That's Not Canon Productions, an independent, Australian podcast network and collective. This is super exciting, and opens up a whole range of new possibilities for the podcast. There are only a couple of small changes you might notice as a result which I want to flag with you so you're not taken aback by them. First, the podcast has been moved to the hosting platform Acast. If you were someone who listened to the podcast on the Fireside website, you should switch to Acast(https://play.acast.com/s/space-junk-podcast/ ). If you listen in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any of the listening apps, you everything should continue as normal.Second, because we've moved over to Acast, it is possible that your listening platform will now insert ads. I have done my best to restrict any potential ads to innocuous things like gardening equipment, but if you hear an ad that you think is not in keeping with the vibe of the podcast, please let me know immediately by emailing thespacejunkpod@gmail.com.As always, the Space Junk Podcast remains an independently run, ruthlessly intellectual, dining-room table-type enterprise. I'm sorry to say the audio quality will stay, as always, patchy at best, but the quality of the conversations will always be my first and only priority. Thank you as always for listening, and may your space always remain junky. Annie Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kathryn Ross (Astro Kat Ross) is a PhD Candidate researching Active Galactic Nuclei and galaxy evolution using the MWA Telescope at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research at Curtin University in Perth. She has a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics and Mathematics and was awarded First Class Honours in Physics from the University of Sydney. She has researched stellar evolution, dark matter content of distant galaxies and the variability of supermassive black holes in the centres of galaxies. She also has experience researching the effectiveness of types of resources in teaching physics as a member of the Sydney University Physics Education Research (SUPER) Group. Kathryn has worked extensively in communicating science in a range of settings from radio and livestream videos on YouTube to presenting to crowds at the Star Gazing Live World Record attempt in May 2018. She particularly focuses on encouraging females to pursue careers in Physics and STEM and is an activist and advocate for Women In STEM. Currently, she is leading a campaign to change the NSW STEM Curriculum to include more female scientists. In this episode we talk about Space, black holes, feminism, That Speech by Julia Gillard, and the IncludeHer_Stem campaign. https://www.change.org/p/stem-courses-must-teach-more-about-contributions-of-women-in-the-fieldhttps://twitter.com/astro_katross Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The guest for this episode is Dr Timiebi Aganaba-Jeanty, the architect of the ASU Space Governance Lab concept, and an assistant professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society with a courtesy appointment at the Sandra Day O Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, USA. Timiebi was also a fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Canada where she focused on environmental governance. In 2017, Timiebi was the recipient of a Space Leaders Award by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).Watch this interview in video form at https://youtu.be/rRbsBh5YtfY.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timiebi-u-aganaba-jeanty-dcl-681a3014/'Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy and How to Make It Work for You' (Capricia Penavic Marshall): https://www.booktopia.com.au/protocol-capricia-penavic-marshall/book/9780062844460.html Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I talk to Vi Tran, a Space Medicine student at Adelaide University. Vi's Honours project analyses data from the Artificial Gravity Bed Rest study at the European Space Agency, with a focus on the gluteal muscles. In essence, Vi studies what might happen to butts in Space, which makes this episode, recorded over Zoom, a literal Booty Call. Outside of her research, Vi has worked with the Flying Doctor service in Broome, WA, and enjoys long-distance running. Our discussion delves into philosophy, and how she thinks about finding duty and purpose while pursuing an unconventional career path. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I chat to science communicator and astrophysicist Kirsten Banks. Kirsten is currently undertaking a PhD at UNSW in astrophysics. She is passionate about increasing the representation of women in science, and as a proud Wiradjuri woman often speaks on TV, radio, and at public events about aboriginal astronomy. Kirsten was the winner of the CSIRO Indigenous STEM Award in 2018 and spoke at TEDx Youth @ Sydney in 2019. I was super excited to catch up with Kirsten over a cup of tea via Zoom to talk about her PhD research and career, and to chat about flat earthers, tik tok, and the good (and bad) of being young women on the internet. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This podcast begins with a conversation over a cup of tea with Thomas Gooch, founder of the Office of Other Spaces, the Office of Planetary Obervations, and the national Australian director of the Moon Village Association. Regular listeners might remember Thomas as the host of the Moon Village Association panel on the Moon in Melbourne in February this year. The second half of the episode is the audio from the presentation Thomas gave at the conference ‘Property rights and real estate interests in outer space' which was hosted online by RMIT university on 1 May 2020. The event was sponsored by: The Space Industry Association of Australia RMIT School of Property, Construction and Project Management Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre YK LawI'd like to thank Rebecca Leshinsky, Sam Le May and the team from RMIT for making this recording available for publication through the Space Junk Podcast. If you would like to watch this presentation and see the slides along with the audio, you can it here: https://youtu.be/gIr68YGvtuoBecause this is a recording from an online conference, the audio is a little crackly, so I suggest listening without headphones. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I am joined by experts in the field of Space Law from around the world to discuss the US White House Executive Order 'on Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources', released 6 April 2020. The panelists are:Gabriel Swiney: Attorney Advisor, US State Department (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-swiney-975b4843)Chris Johnson: Space Law Advisory, Secure World Foundation (https://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/christopher-d-johnson/)Dr Malcolm Davis: Senior Analyst in Defence Stategy and Capability, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/malcolm-davis)A/Prof. Alice Gorman: Flinders University College of Arts and Social Sciences (https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/alice.gorman)Prof. Steven Freeland: Professor of International Law at Western Sydney University (https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/staff_profiles/uws_profiles/professor_steven_freeland)FURTHER READING:Outer Space Treaty 1967: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/outerspacetreaty.htmlMoon Agreement 1972: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/moon-agreement.htmlGiant leap for corporations? The Trump administration wants to mine resources in space, but is it legal? (Freeland and Handmer) https://theconversation.com/giant-leap-for-corporations-the-trump-administration-wants-to-mine-resources-in-space-but-is-it-legal-136395Let's think about archaeology on the Moon (& space mining) (Gorman)https://www.ted.com/talks/alice_gorman_let_s_think_about_archaeology_on_the_moonWe should work together in the race to mine the solar system (Gorman and Freeland)https://theconversation.com/we-should-work-together-in-the-race-to-mine-the-solar-system-55026How would lunar mining affect the cultural significance of the Moon? (Gorman)https://zoharesque.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-would-lunar-mining-affect-cultural.htmlThe ethics of lunar mining (Gorman)https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/archived/360/the-ethics-of-lunar-mining/4871492 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A/Prof Alice Gorman, who tweets as @drspacejunk and is the author of 'Dr Space Junk vs The Universe' is an internationally recognised leader in the emerging field of space archaeology. Closer to home she has worked extensively in Australian Indigenous heritage management, providing advice for mining industry, urban development, government departments, local councils and Native Title groups in Australia. She is also a specialist in stone tool analysis, and the Aboriginal use of bottle glass after European settlement. Alice and I got together over Zoom to record this podcast episode. We talk about 'what is space junk?' and who gets to decide, and how we might solve the dual issues of safety and heritage management in Earth orbit and in space more generally. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A/Prof Alice Gorman, who tweets as @drspacejunk and is the author of 'Dr Space Junk vs The Universe' is an internationally recognised leader in the emerging field of space archaeology. Closer to home she has worked extensively in Australian Indigenous heritage management, providing advice for mining industry, urban development, government departments, local councils and Native Title groups in Australia. She is also a specialist in stone tool analysis, and the Aboriginal use of bottle glass after European settlement. Alice and I got together over Zoom to record this podcast episode. We talk about how Alice became an archaeologist, discuss unconscious bias, and learn about the time Alice has spent working on Mining sites as a heritage consultant. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cain and Tal join me again to unpack the film Interstellar, the 2014 Christopher Nolan film that made relativity even cooler than it already was. This was recorded back before the crisis really hit Australia, and you can totally tell because we talk about the bushfires as if they are the worst thing we'll encounter this decade, and about social isolation and video chat lag as if it's something you'll only experience on a spaceship or inside NORAD. If you watched the ABC program ‘employable me' last year you might remember Cain, who identifies as being on the autism spectrum and channels his talents into watching and reviewing hundreds of movies a year. Natalia Bye, also known as Tal, is an aboriginal Australian woman and mother of two who also runs that fantastic podcast ‘Australian History: Journals of the Early Explorers' which can be found here: https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/australian-history-journals-of-the-early-explorersCain and Tal's regular Movie review podcast can be found here: https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/movies-with-cain-and-talThe Space Junk Pod is now hosted on Fireside FM. If you have any technical difficulties please let me know – my email is thespacejunkpod@gmail.com or you can find me on Twitter, insta or tik tok as @anniehandmer.This episode has occasional adult themes, concepts, and language Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this very fun episode I'm joined by Cain and Tal from the phenomenal Aussie podcast ‘Movies with Cain and Tal'. We consume junk food while talking about a film that can only be called junk cinema – the 1964 cult classic ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians'. If you watched the ABC program ‘employable me' last year you might remember Cain, who identifies as being on the autism spectrum and channels his talents into watching and reviewing hundreds of movies a year. Natalia Bye, also known as Tal, is an aboriginal Australian woman and mother of two who also runs that fantastic podcast ‘Australian History: Journals of the Early Explorers' which can be found here: https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/australian-history-journals-of-the-early-explorersCain and Tal's regular Movie review podcast can be found here: https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/movies-with-cain-and-talSanta Claus Conquers the Martians is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxP1moQN0aAThe MST3K version is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgcclbBmdEYThis episode contains some adult themes and occasional strong language. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part 2 of our interview Tom and I talk about the nature of journalism, how to construct a story around technology, and how the media landscape has shifted over the last 30 years. This is part 2 of 2 parts. You can watch this podcast in video form here: https://youtu.be/Yy-2cyzvRbUhttps://mediadirectory.economist.com/people/tom-standage/https://www.amazon.com.au/Writing-Wall-Social-Media-First/dp/1620402831https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/11/writing-wall-social-media-standage-review Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I chat over space and time with Tom Standage, Deputy Editor at The Economist, about his book 'The Writing on the Wall', and how social media is actually not as new as you might think!This is part 1 of 2 parts. You can watch this podcast in video form here: https://youtu.be/NMD363NJgCAhttps://mediadirectory.economist.com/people/tom-standage/https://www.amazon.com.au/Writing-Wall-Social-Media-First/dp/1620402831https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/11/writing-wall-social-media-standage-review Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two important messages:The first and most important is that Space Junk Podcast now has a special COVID COVIDeo edition which is on YouTube. In addition to listening to me talking to space folk, you can now watch me do it from my home-office space desk, dressed in my best space themed attire: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYMne7dZMDhkA43I6s8Sbog Second, I'll be releasing daily videos for Patreon subscribers over at www.patreon.com/thespacejunkpod, as part of a special 'Mission to the Moon' project, in which I'll chat about history, philosophy, music and more over my morning coffee. Any support you can offer will help me keep the Space Junk Pod running through this COVID period, and is very much appreciated. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode PhD student (and COVID style icon) Annie Handmer brings you part 2 of her conversation with the brilliant Ingrid Ockert.Dr Ingrid Ockert is a historian of science and media in the 20th century, specialising in depictions of science on TV. In this episode she and Annie talk about Cadbury and Julius Sumner Miller, Dr Karl, things that go bang, and they also have a go at the mass marketing campaign that sells guilty parents STEM, and why they think that STEM, and non-STEM, are for adults too.They jump straight in, so wash your hands and hang on to your facemasks!More about Dr Ingrid Ockert: https://www.ingridockert.com/Audio for the Julius Sumner Miller 1981 Cadbury Ad comes from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJX_qmXn9no Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I bring you part 1 of my conversation with the incredible Ingrid Ockert.Dr Ingrid Ockert is a historian of science and media in the 20th century. She holds a PhD from the History of Science Program at Princeton University. Ingrid was the was the 2018-2019 NASA/HSS History Fellow and is currently serving as a post-doctoral fellow at the Science History Institute.We had a great conversation about representations of science on TV, and the intersections between Star Trek, geopolitics, and society. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last October I attended the 70th International Astronautical Congress in Washington DC. IAC is a massive conference, bringing together thousands of people who work in the space sector from national agency representatives to defence practitioners to those in private industry.In this episode I speak with three Australians at the conference who give 3 different perspectives on Space. They are Adam Gilmour (Gilmour Space), Malcolm Davis (ASPI) and William Crowe (HEO Robotics).http://www.gspacetech.com/https://www.aspi.org.au/bio/malcolm-davishttps://www.heo-robotics.com/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is the final instalment of the live audio from the Moon Vilalge Association event in Melbourne. In this episode, I join the panel to lead a conversation about space environmentalism, ethics, and exploration. The panellists are Alice Gorman, Gabrielle Harris, Ceridwen Dovey, Donna Lawler, and Kerrie Dougherty.https://mpavilion.org/program/mva-mini-moon/https://officeofotherspaces.com/https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/alice.gormanhttps://interchange.com.au/https://www.ceridwendovey.com/https://azimuthadvisory.com.au/http://atfpress.com/product/space-in-australia/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I bring you part 2 of the live audio from the Moon Village Association forum on the moon in Melbourne last month.We hear talks from journalist and writer Ceridwen Dovey, Space Lawyer Donna Lawler, and Space Historian Kerrie Dougherty.https://moonvillageassociation.org/https://mpavilion.org/program/mva-mini-moon/https://officeofotherspaces.com/https://www.ceridwendovey.com/https://azimuthadvisory.com.au/http://atfpress.com/product/space-in-australia/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last month I traveled to Melbourne to moderate the Moon Village Association's public forum on the Moon. This is the audio from the event.First to the microphone was Thomas Gooch, who heads up the Office of Other Spaces and the Office of Planetary Observation, and is the regional coordinator for the Moon Village Association. You'll then hear from Madeleine Bandurski, who works on the Moon Village association payload team.Next we hear remarks from Associate Professor Alice Gorman, space archaeologist from Flinders University and all round excellent human, and Gabrielle Harris, head of Interchange, a company which specialises in organisational culture change.https://moonvillageassociation.org/https://mpavilion.org/program/mva-mini-moon/https://officeofotherspaces.com/https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/alice.gormanhttps://interchange.com.au/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I speak to some grade 6 students about how they see the Moon, the Earth, and our place in the Cosmos. I also touch base with Madeleine Bandurski from the Moon Village Association, and Thomas Gooch, founder of the Office of Other Spaces and the Office of Planetary Observation.On Wednesday 26 February 2020 at 6:15pm I'll be moderating a panel discussion with Alice Gorman (aka dr spacejunk), Donna Lawler, Kerrie Dougherty, Gabrielle Harris and Ceridwen Dovey. The event is a public forum on the Moon, put on by the Moon Village Association and the Office of Other Spaces at the MPavillion. If you're in Melbourne and are interested in attending, you can head to https://www.mvapublicforum.com/. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I speak with Australian space historian Kerrie Dougherty about Australia's place in the history of space exploration. We reflect on Australia's history with the Apollo program, and how we see our place in the universe.Kerrie will be on a panel that I will be moderating on 26 Feb 2020 at 6:15pm at the MPavillion in Melbourne. Other panelists are Alice Gorman (aka dr spacejunk), Donna Lawler, Gabrielle Harris and Ceridwen Dovey. The event is a public forum on the Moon, put on by the Moon Village Association and the Office of Other Spaces. If you're in Melbourne and are interested in attending, you can head to https://www.mvapublicforum.com/. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I speak with Dr Moriba Jah, an Associate Professor and the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.Moriba Jah is the director for Computational Astronautical Sciences and Technologies (CAST), a group within the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the Lead for the Space Security and Safety Program at the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Moriba came to UT Austin by way of the Air Force Research Laboratory and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory prior to that, where he was a Spacecraft Navigator on a handful of Mars missions.Moriba is a Fellow of multiple organizations: TED, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Astronautical Society (AAS), International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). He has served on the US delegation to the United Nations Committee On Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), is an elected Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and has testified to congress on his work as related to Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management. He's an Associate Editor of the Elsevier Advances in Space Research journal, and serves on multiple committees: IAA Space Debris, AIAA Astrodynamics, IAF Astrodynamics, and IAF Space Security.While in the US last year for the International Astronautical Congress, Moriba and I got talking at a dodgy bar in DC. Some drinks later, we decided to get together over Skype and record this episode. We chat about tackling fear in the face of adversity, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and what it all has to do with Space sustainability.Music (as requested by Moriba): 'The Voice' by Celtic Woman Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I bring you part 2 of my conversation with NASA Sagan Fellow Dr Benjamin Pope, a conversation ostensibly about space movies, but at this point so off the rails that I'm almost embarrassed to give it that title. We launch straight in after having watched Grimes' music video ‘we appreciate power' and our chat quickly devolves to AI apocalypse as the logical end to industrial capitalism.Any opinions expressed by me on this podcast are my own and do not represent the views of any organisation with which I am associated.Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/thespacejunkpodDr Ben Pope: benjaminpope.github.io/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I bring you part 1 of a relaxed, wide-ranging and delectable conversation with fan-favourite and good friend Dr Benjamin Pope. Ben has a PhD in Astrophysics from Oxford University and is currently a NASA Sagan Fellow at NYU researching exoplanets.In this episode, Ben and I tackle an in-advisably large number and bewilderingly wide range of Space movies. Do either of us have qualifications in film studies? No, but Ben won University Challenge and I took Drama in year 11, so that has to be good enough. Some of the references in this episode are a little out of date, as it was recorded some time ago, notably ‘Trump's worst idea so far'. You'll know when you hear it.Movies discussed include: Gravity, The Right Stuff, First Man, The Dish, Hidden Figures. It's not really about the movies - we delve deeply into politics, philosophy, history, sociology, and gender discourse.As usual, Ben's vocabulary is vast, and includes the occasional swear word. There's nothing to be done I'm afraid – you have to take your Astrophysicist as you find him, sweary or otherwise.As always, I'm required to say that any opinions expressed by me on this podcast are my own and do not represent the views of any organisation with which I am associated.This episode is certified 100% tardigrade free, unlike the Moon.Support the podcast: www.patreon.com/thespacejunkpod Dr Ben Pope: benjaminpope.github.io/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we get technical. I catch up with Dr Francis Bennet, a researcher from the Australian National University who works on Lasers, adaptive optics, and quantum electronics and is currently based out of Mt Stromlo. Our conversation ranges from space situational awareness (SSA) and riding bicycles, to making your own chocolate while fixing the kitchen sink, to photon entanglement and encryption. Make yourself a cup of tea and settle in for a good old fashioned chat.Patreon: www.patreon.com/ThespacejunkpodDr Francis Bennet: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/bennet-fh Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I chat to space lawyer Donna Lawler, the Principal at Azimuth Advisory, a firm which provides advice and assistance to Governments and businesses who are engaged in space activities. Donna is a commercial space lawyer with decades of experience working with Optus Satellite, and other Aussie space companies. We talk about the intricacies of space contracts, current developments in the Australian space industry, and what the Moon Agreement might mean for Australian companies who want to mine space resources. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThespacejunkpodDonna Lawler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-lawler/Azimuth Advisory: https://azimuthadvisory.com.au/The Moon Agreement: http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/intromoon-agreement.htmlMusic: 'Clair de Lune' (Debussy), performed by up and coming Australian musician James Hu. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In part 2 of my conversation with Dr Vince Houghton, the chief historian and curator at the international spy museum in Washington DC, we continue to delve into the intersections between technology, espionage, and society. If you haven't heard part 1, listen to that one first! http://spaceaustralia.com/opinions/space-junk-space-espionage-dr-vince-houghton-part-1 Dr Houghton specializes in military and intelligence history, with specific expertise on late-WWII and early-Cold War eras. He is a veteran of the US army and served in the Balkans before receiving his Masters and PhD in Diplomatic and Military History from the University of Maryland.We talk about how we balance privacy and freedom in our day-to-day interactions with smartphones and the internet, stereotypes of women in intelligence, and why Vince isn't a big fan of James Bond. Nuking the Moon: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575262/nuking-the-moon-by-vince-houghton/Music: Covert Affair - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100795Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, I interrupt the normal scheduling to bring you a special episode on space and bushfires. It seems that despite the technological advances that space has brought, we are still at the whim of nature when it comes to natural disasters. Or are we? To help me answer this question, I tracked down the best expert I know to tell me about the ongoing bushfire situation in Australia, and how space enabled technologies can assist efforts to predict, manage, and assess the impact of bushfires. It just so happens that he is also my Uncle. Professor John Handmer is an Emeritus Professor with the RMIT School of Science, and has qualifications and experience in human geography, economics and law. Recently named Australia's top researcher in emergency management, he chairs the Scientific Committee of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Program of ISC (International Council of Science and the UNDRR), and is, or has recently been, on a number of Australian advisory bodies, which cover climate change adaptation, disaster risk and resilience, and most recently the National Vulnerability Profile project. John also ran the Bushfire CRC's communities research program and the post-Black Saturday human dimensions research. Information on how to donate to help the bushfire relief effort: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/general-news/how-you-can-helpJoin the Space Junk Podcast community: www.patreon.com/thespacejunkpod Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, I chat to Dr Vince Houghton, the chief historian and curator of the International Spy Museum in DC and the host of their podcast 'SpyCast' about Space Espionage, and Space-enabled spying. Dr Houghton specializes in military and intelligence history, with specific expertise on late-WWII and early-Cold War eras. He is a veteran of the US army and served in the Balkans before receiving his Masters and PhD in Diplomatic and Military History from the University of Maryland.We talk about nuclear weapons, cyber warfare, MAD, space surveillance, and why your social media account might be a liability.Want to support Space Junk and get more episodes? www.patreon.com/thespacejunkpodNuking the Moon: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/575262/nuking-the-moon-by-vince-houghton/Music: Covert Affair - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100795Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Meaghan Munro and I talk about the future of space in Australia and internationally. Meaghan is an aerospace engineering student who founded the Monash University rocketry team and is chairing the Australian Youth Aerospace Association (AYAA) Space Futures conference in Adelaide, Australia in 2020. This episode is a wild ride in which we discuss what it feels like to launch a rocket, where Australia will be in 50 years (in Space, we hope!) and why millennials ought to listen to the older generation. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Secure World Foundation Space Lawyer Chris Johnson and I branch out from our discussion on the tardigrades on the Moon to chat about the benefits of using robots for space exploration, whether it's possible to interpret space law in a non-anthropocentric manner, and what it means to use space sustainably. We also touch on astropolitics and archaeology, because why not? Media mentioned include: The Three Body Problem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three-Body_Problem_(novel)Peaks of Eternal Light: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_of_eternal_lighthttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0265964616300194More information can be found in the series of essays published by Chris Johnson, Dan Porras, and others in The Space Review.Part 1: www.thespacereview.com/article/3783/1Part 2: www.thespacereview.com/article/3786/1 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, Chris Johnson from the Secure World Foundation joins me to do a deep dive on the curious news about an Israeli spacecraft crash landing onto the moon, and potentially releasing thousands of little critters called tardigrades onto the lunar surface. We ask such important questions as 'what is a tardigrade?', explore the ins and outs of international planetary protection laws, and explain why, even though it's highly unlikely the tardigrades will ever manage to colonise the moon, this case still matters. More information can be found in the series of essays published by Chris Johnson, Dan Porras, and others in The Space Review. Part 1: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3783/1Part 2: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3786/1 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing, I tracked down Dylan O'Donnell, one of Australia's leading amateur astrophotographers, in beautiful Byron Bay. Dylan is also the creator of the 'Star Stuff' festival. In this episode we speak about astronomy, the state of science in Australia, the power of space to inspire, and the rising mistrust in science and authority more generally. We also chat about the ethics of technological development, Musk's StarLink satellites, and whether the 'giant leap for mankind' has been realised.You can find Dylan's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgOf4wBnoGg8WHHHr_h4otQand his Twitter here: https://twitter.com/erfmufn?lang=enHe's also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylan_odonnell_/?hl=en Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I talk with Daniel Porras, a Space Security Fellow at UNIDIR, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. Daniel focuses on political and legal issues surrounding space security and, in particular, the progressive development of sustainable norms of behaviour for space. We talk about space weaponization, space debris, and India's recent ASAT test. Daniel's full bio can be found here: http://www.unidir.org/about/staff/daniel-porrasIn the spirit of disarmament, Daniel has selected Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs' from their 1970 album 'Paranoid' to begin and end this podcast. The version used in this podcast can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQUXuQ6Zd9w Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this podcast, I chat to Professor Steven Freeland, international space law expert and current Dean of Law at Western Sydney University, about the challenges and opportunities posed by the international legal regime that governs our activities in space. What is international law? how does it work? How do advances in technology drive or impede its efficacy? Where does Australia fit into the international space community? And why is it irresponsible to talk about weapons in space? We tackle it all over tea and cookies. Steven's musical choice for this episode is Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries', performed here by the Berlin Philharmonic in 1998. You can find the entire performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P73Z6291Pt8Steven also recommends a movie called Moon. You can find the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuScTcDP_Q Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I sit down with Dr Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). Malcolm's research focuses on defence strategy and capability development, military technology, and the future of warfare. In this episode we talk about the importance of space to national security, what a hybrid cyber / space war might look like, and what space activities by Russia, the USA and a rising China mean for Australia's strategic future. This episode was recorded at the Avalon Airshow 2019. The music is the Blue Danube Waltz by Strauss, as it appears in Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I talk with Ben Piggott, a submariner and Communications and Information Warfare Officer with the Royal Australian Navy. Ben did his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and recently completed his Masters of Space Operations at UNSW Canberra. He is Secretary of the Australian Youth Aerospace Association and on the Future Strategic Leaders Committee of the Institute for Regional Security. We discuss phase zero, submarines, space weaponry, thought-collectives, and the future of warfare. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In September 2018 the 69th annual International Astronautical Congress was held in Bremen, Germany. In this episode I take you through the event from start to finish, with music from the opening ceremony and interviews with international attendees. There is a particular focus on the Australian Space Agency. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 2 of my conversation with visiting NASA Sagan Fellow and exoplanet-studying astrophysicist Dr Ben Pope is a lot like a Jane Austen novel. We unpack our prejudice against the Humanity Star and Musk's space Tesla, we spend a lot of time talking about money and the elite, and ultimately find common ground in our mutual embarrassment about Australia's obsession with STEM. We hope you enjoy this wild ride through politics, philosophy, sociology and stolen biccies. Ben did his undergraduate degree in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Sydney. He then completed a PhD at Balliol College, Oxford, where he most notably competed on the winning team in University Challenge, 2017. Ben currently lives in the USA where he researches exoplanets. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode I sit down with visiting NASA Sagan Fellow, Dr Ben Pope, to talk about Space Force. What is it, and why is there such controversy? In a wide ranging conversation that covers history, politics, art, science and sociology, we discuss everything from communist cowboys to our vision for the future of Australia's new Space Agency. Ben did his undergraduate degree in Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Sydney. He then completed a PhD at Balliol College, Oxford, where he most notably competed on the winning team in University Challenge, 2017. Ben currently lives in the USA where he researches planets surrounding other stars in our galaxy Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/space-junk-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.