Aussies team up to test beer in Space

Well, it wasn't long until we saw Australia back in the Space game, but perhaps this wasn't the way most people were expecting. Perhaps for Australians, it was exactly what everyone was expecting!

4-Pines Brewing Company and Saber Astronautics Australia are teaming up to test the worlds first beer to be certified for drinking in space. The beer is "a recipe designed for easy drinking in both in microgravity and on Earth." It is intended to meet potential demand within the future space tourism market.

The team has selected Astronauts4Hire - a non-profit corporation who hires out members to undertake research in sub-orbital flights, to perform a series of research on the new beer, and in this case they will use parabolic flights from the ZERO-G Corporation beginning in November 2010.

Despite the fun looking mission, the researchers from Astronauts4Hire will be tasting the beer during weightless parabola flights, recording both qualitative data on beverage taste and drinkability and biometric data on body temperature, heart rate, and blood alcohol content.

Have one for me guys!

Decadal Plan for Australian Space Science Released

The much anticipated Decadal Plan for Australian Space Science has been released at the 10th Australian Space Science Conference. For those interested in reading the plan - head over to the Australian Academy of Science's webpage here - "Decadal Plan for Australian Space Science – Building a National Presence in Space".

The plan, which has been in development for around 5 years, has had input from almost all of the top Space Science minds in Australia and intents to establish Australia back as a player in both Space Science and the broader Space Domain.

The Plan's vision is to: 'Build Australia a long term, productive presence in Space via world-leading innovative space science and technology, strong education and outreach, and international collaborations'.

The 10-year plan, which was released by the National Committee for Space Science is calling for a modest $140 million (over 10 years) to undertake a series of projects that would deliver benefits to Australia, and to the global scientific community.

Overall, the plan foresees 3 main projects to assist in improving capabilities in Australia in the long term, including:

• SpaceShip Australis – a state-of-the-art ground-based network to measure, model, and predict space weather from the Sun to the ground, and support the proposed Square Kilometer Array.
• Marabibi Constellation – a flexible program of low-cost satellites that link with SpaceShip Australis and provide world-first, student-focused, research on space weather, technology, and the Earth.
• Sundiver – a spacecraft that will dive into the Sun to answer fundamental questions on the Sun’s supersonic wind and hot corona.

In addition to this, the plan proposes many of the broader administration structures necessary to assist and develop the plan, including the set-up of what is called  "Coordination of Australian Space Science Ltd (CASS Ltd)" and a "National Institute for Space Science". It will certainly be interesting how the current efforts by the Australian Space Policy Unit will take these recommendations in particular into account, and what role / impact they may have on the creation of a future Australian Space Agency.

Interestingly enough, the report points out that the cost of the plan is "Less than $1 per Australian, per year". In the scheme of things, a very small, and highly valuable investment for Australia to make.

There is no doubt that this document will be one of the biggest influences upon Australian Space Policy development and future government thinking on Space direction, as it represents many years of hard work from the Space Science community, and within this plan they have achieved strong consensus based on their wide and lengthy consultation with all parties.

All things going well, this could be the true catalyst for Australia to get back into the Space game. What this plan has achieved beyond just consensus, is a plan that is truly affordable to Australia, one that addresses Australian unique needs as well as one that leverages Australia's niche strengths.  It also provides a long term vision for the sector to rally around, and provides for several structural initiatives that will sustain the sector in the mid to long term.

For those on the National Committee for Space Science, I take my had off to you for your years of hard work.  The Committee for Space Science includes:

Professor Iver Cairns (Chair)
Professor Russell Boyce
Dr Graziella Caprarelli
Dr Alex Held
Professor Fred Menk
Dr David Neudegg
Professor Bob Vincent, FAA
Professor Malcolm Walter, FAA

Despite the fact that this document has been 5 years in the making, I see its final release as the start of big things in Australia for space. It comes at a time when momentum is behind Space in Australia, and the evidence is truly stacking up to support Australian involvement in Space.

Spatial@gov conference coming soon

Australia's premier Spatial Data conference Spatial@gov is coming up soon on the 5-7 October 2010. The conference will take place at the national convention centre in Canberra, and will spend the 3 days examining the various Australian uses of Geospatial technology and data - with many of Australia's government departments represented at the conference. 

According to the conference website:

"Geospatial technology is integral in every corner of the business world and across government, with up to 80 per cent of information managed connected to a specific location in some way. By contributing over $12 billion to the Australian GDP, the geospatial industry is a key player in the nation's new economy."


For those interested in more information - head over to the conference website here.

ABC Article on Space Debris

An interesting article from the ABC about Space Junk - Earth's forgotten environmental disaster.

I know that Space Situational Awareness and Space Debris is becoming a much more significant issue in Australia. Both Civilian and Defence Space leaders are becoming more concerned about the issue.

Lets hope we start to find some more sustainable solutions - otherwise, we'll lose the LEO environment for everyone to use.

Andy Thomas supports the Australian / New Zealand SKA bid

The WA today is reporting that Andy Thomas has thrown his support behind the Australia and New Zealand Bid for the Square Kilometer Array Project.

As reported in my post - Dr Andy Thomas is Down Under, as part of his tour around Australia, Dr Thomas said "It is going to be one of the premier engineering projects of Australia's history".

Given the infrastructure needed, with major upgrades of computing centers, network backbones and major inflow of world leading Astronomers, it is likely to be one of, if not the most important engineering facility in Australia. It will also provide major links to our New Zealand friends, and further our ever improving national ties.

Dr Thomas is quoted as saying: "That's going to bring in a fusion of technology, resources and skills into this country which are going to be unmatched and it's going to be a source of profound inspiration to young people to see the great things happening out there, the great discoveries being made, and be part of it."

Well, at Space Boomerang, I'm squarely behind the ANZ SKA bid too. Astronomy has a strong and successful history in Australia, and it is one area of the space domain that we can proudly claim to be punching above our weight.

The decision is shaping up as a truly important one, not just for Astronomy and Science in Australia, but for the country as a whole.

Space Minister Kim Carr Reappointed

The Hon. Kim Carr has been re-appointed Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

The Minister for Space as I like to call him, is therefore likely to continue the gains maid in his highly successful first term in the space industry, and he will now be central to the campaign to bring the SKA facility to Australia which will be announced in 2012. 

Congratulations to the re-appointed Minister for Space, the Hon. Kim Carr.

Dreams of Space

A recent article in the Geelong Advertiser from Beth Jens about her dreams of being an Astronaut, and her progress so far.

Dreams of Space Article.

Best of luck Beth - I hope to read a lot more about your future adventures.

Happy Birthday Optus Satellites

 Photo from Spaceinfo.com.au

Optus Satellites recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary. On August the 27th 1985, what was then known as Aussat, launched its first satellite on the Space Shuttle.  Since then, Optus have managed to launch 8 more satellites for a total fleet of 9 satellites, and one of the true quiet achievers in the Australian Space Industry.

For those 25 years, the fleet of Optus Satellites have changed many things across Australia, and most Australians are not even aware of the vital role the play in or tele-communications, TV, radio, internet and for our defence forces. 

For those interested in knowing a little more about Optus' current fleet, head here. 

Happy Birthday Optus!

Dr Andy Thomas is Down Under

 

For those unaware, Australia's favourite Astronaut Dr Andy Thomas is Currently in Australia. He is giving a series of talks and interviews in and around Perth over the next week or two. From what I understand, he is giving a corporate breakfast talk, presentations at several schools, an interview on ABC Radio and finishing with a public lecture at Curtin University which will feature a live link up with the International Space Station.

For coverage of his events - have a look at the following articles - Next Stop, Mars (Brisbane Times), the podcast of his ABC Radio, and his upcoming interview on Perth ABC Radio.

For those in Perth, make sure you get along to the Curtin University Lecture - on the 14th of September at 6pm. Further information can be found here. 

News at Space.gov.au

The folks over at Space.gov.au have two news articles that are worth reading if you can.

One is that enrolments for the 2011 Southern Hemisphere Space Program are open. 

The Other, is a brief article about the 4th Space Industry Innovation Council Meeting, although there's not much new information coming out of it just yet.

Australian Satellite Broadband Article

An interesting article on Australian Satellite Broadband over at the Business Speculator.