NASA Administrator Bolden in Australia

This week has seen NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in Australia, the first NASA administrator since 1973 to do so.

Mr Bolden at the CDSCC (Photo credit: Penny Bradfield)

Mr Bolden visited the NASA Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla, highlighting that when the Curiosity Rover touches down on the surface of Mars on August 6th, that the CDSCC will be receiving the signal as an integral part of the mission and the only deep space facility located in the southern hemisphere. Mr Bolden also examined the current upgrades to the CDSCC facility which will see four new dishes built at the facility.

In his visit, Mr Bolden also gave an address at the University of Sydney, and visited Questacon in Canberra where he answered questions from the audience and students across Australia.

Pathways to Space Launched at the Powerhouse Museum

Kim Carr officially opened Pathways to Space at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum on the 31st of March.


Pathways to Space a three-year federally funded project allowing thousands of secondary school students to be exposed to real research into space science and robotics. The project will help inspire the next generation of Australian Engineers and Scientists both directly at the museum, or via telepresence for students who cannot get to the Powerhouse Museum.

Pathways to Space will allow students to participate in a research project on a simulated Martian surface known as the "Mars Yard" - teaching and demonstrating real life science and engineering applications.

The simulated Mars mission exhibit is formed through a partnership between the Sydney Powerhouse Museum, the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney and Cisco Systems Australia. The project is also a recipient of nearly $1 Million from the Australian government's Australian Space Research Program.

For more information on Pathways to Space, head here.