It is understood that Australia's first national space policy is in the throws of debate within federal cabinet, and has been renamed the "Satellite Utilisation Policy".
In what is seen as a strong reflection of Australia's ongoing awkwardness with the space domain and policy, the renaming of the Australian Space Policy demonstrates that politically, the policy needs to focus on the use of space technology for solving Australia's national problems, rather than a general association with the space activities of other international space agencies.
Previously the Space Policy Unit has focussed on what was called a 'National Space Industry Policy' - reflecting a focus that the policy would be directed towards 'industry development' rather than space in general. The new name demonstrates a very practical focus to the policy - likely centered around the workhorse applications of Telecommunications, Earth Observation, and Position, Navigation and Timing - the technologies that most Australian's use every day without ever considering that they are using Space technology.
There are some implicit implications of this change of focus within the policy. Where does this leave Australian space science? Science is not traditionally considered a utilisation of satellites - perhaps science is excluded from the policy consideration all together? If so, where does this leave the Australian Space Science Decadal Plan?
How will this change of focus be perceived internationally? By excluding the broader space domain, will the policy address legal and diplomatic aspects of space? Is Australia serious about becoming an active diplomatic middle power nation, when we don't have a policy that covers an area underpinning our national economic, military and environmental future? Will international space agencies feel confused about Australia's direction within the space domain, and how will the new policy focus change how they interact with Australia?
What about defence - will the policy be a whole of government policy with civilian and defence activities covered? In Australia, we struggle to sustain a single space community - let alone two communities with limited interaction.
What I do know is that most people in Australia still think of putting man on the moon when the topic of space comes up, and why would Australia want to spend bucket loads of money on that?
Short to mid term, the focus of the space policy as a 'Satellite Utilisation Policy' is likely insulate the policy from major criticism surrounding the 'waste of money' theme associated with manned exploration, and allow Australia to start changing the conversation to - why are we not better using these technologies and industries to better solve our problems. It is also more likely to receive better parliamentary support, providing a more sustainable future for the Space Sector in general.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Dr Phil Diamond to head SKA
Dr Phil Diamond, chief of astronomy and space science for CSIRO has recently been appointed directory general of the of the Square Kilometre Array Organisation, who is overseeing the construction and operation of the SKA facility.
Dr Diamond has been working with the SKA project since early 2000, and has an intimate knowledge of the proposed facility and its journey so far, particularly through his involvement with ASKAP. He is also one of Australia's leading astronomers, with over 30 years of radio astronomy behind him, having led both the Jordell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in the UK and the CSIRO astronomy and space science division in Australia.
The $1.5 Billion facility will be built across sites in both Australia and Southern Africa, with detailed design currently under way, and full construction commencing in 2015.
Congratulations Dr Diamond!
Dr Phil Diamond (Photo: CSIRO)
Dr Diamond has been working with the SKA project since early 2000, and has an intimate knowledge of the proposed facility and its journey so far, particularly through his involvement with ASKAP. He is also one of Australia's leading astronomers, with over 30 years of radio astronomy behind him, having led both the Jordell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in the UK and the CSIRO astronomy and space science division in Australia.
The $1.5 Billion facility will be built across sites in both Australia and Southern Africa, with detailed design currently under way, and full construction commencing in 2015.
Congratulations Dr Diamond!
Australian Space Jobs
NBN Co is currently looking for a "Technical Specialist Satellite Control" - which you can find on Seek here. The role is responsible for operational and technical leadership within the Satellite Control Facility for NBN Co.
Telstra is also looking for a 'Head of Satellite Sales', based in Hong Kong who will be responsible for all of Telstra Global's satellite sales. You can head over to the ad here.
Telstra is also looking for a 'Head of Satellite Sales', based in Hong Kong who will be responsible for all of Telstra Global's satellite sales. You can head over to the ad here.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Dr David Williams to head CSIRO Information Sciences Group
In a major coup for both CSIRO and the Australian Space Industry, Dr David Williams has been appointed as the head of CSIRO's Information Science Division. The Information Science Division covers astronomical and space sciences, digital productivity and services, information and communication technologies and mathematical and statistical sciences and has around 1200 staff.
Dr Williams is currently the chief executive of the UK Space Agency and has been a key figure in the creation of the agency and growth in the space sector over the past few years.
Dr Williams comes with both major credibility and contacts within the international space industry - something that is sure to benefit the Australian Space Industry over the coming years starting with the release of the Australian National Space Policy later this year.
What will be of direct interest to Australia is that the United Kingdom previously operated British National Space Council, which was a collection of all UK civilian government departments that operated in the space domain. This arrangement left the BNSC with no ability to drive overall space policy within the UK, a scenario that Australia currently finds itself in. Dr Williams helped transition the BNSC to the current UK Space Agency, which has led to recent growth within the UK Space Industry, and widespread praise for the stronger economic and scientific benefits from the new arrangements. In 2010/2011 the UK Space Industry turnover grew to £9.1bn from £7.5bn in 2008/09.
Within his new role, Dr Williams will oversee Australia's Square Kilometer Array facilities, one of the world's largest scientific projects currently under development.
Welcome Dr. Williams, and we look forward to you helping to grow Australia's space capabilities.
Dr David Williams (Photo Credit: CSIRO)
Dr Williams is currently the chief executive of the UK Space Agency and has been a key figure in the creation of the agency and growth in the space sector over the past few years.
Dr Williams comes with both major credibility and contacts within the international space industry - something that is sure to benefit the Australian Space Industry over the coming years starting with the release of the Australian National Space Policy later this year.
What will be of direct interest to Australia is that the United Kingdom previously operated British National Space Council, which was a collection of all UK civilian government departments that operated in the space domain. This arrangement left the BNSC with no ability to drive overall space policy within the UK, a scenario that Australia currently finds itself in. Dr Williams helped transition the BNSC to the current UK Space Agency, which has led to recent growth within the UK Space Industry, and widespread praise for the stronger economic and scientific benefits from the new arrangements. In 2010/2011 the UK Space Industry turnover grew to £9.1bn from £7.5bn in 2008/09.
Within his new role, Dr Williams will oversee Australia's Square Kilometer Array facilities, one of the world's largest scientific projects currently under development.
Welcome Dr. Williams, and we look forward to you helping to grow Australia's space capabilities.
Australia's role in Curiosity's Mars Landing
I've hesitated to write a blog post on Australia's role in NASA's Curiosity Mars mission - not because it isn't a great topic or story, but because there has been such substantial coverage of the topic in the mainstream Australian media.
In light of the successful touchdown on Mars, I just couldn't resist putting a few notes down about it for those who like to follow the blog.
First and foremost, the NASA Deep Space Communications Complex at Tidbinbilla (just outside of Canberra) was the prime communications receiving station on earth to communicate with the Curiosity Spacecraft for the decent and landing today. As a back up, both the Parkes telescope and New Norica facility in Western Australia were also used as backup communications links. A large crowd gathered at Tidbinbilla today to watch the even, with some even arriving at 9am to get the best seats in the house!
Our second major involvement is that the Curiosity rover has touched down within the Gale Crater is in fact named after Walter Frederick Gale, a Sydney banker and astronomer who undertook many observations of Mars, and subsequently had the Gale crater named in his honour. An interesting article about Walter Gale can be found here on the Cosmos website by Jonathan Nally.
Thirdly is Marion Anderson's involvement - a geologist from Monash university - who was involved in the landing site selection for the Curiosity mission. Alan Kerlin has an interesting interview with Marion over here.
Finally, Dr Penny King - a geologist from the Australian National University will be helping to control the scientific instruments of the Curiosity mission from NASA's JPL. No doubt, Dr King will be very excited that Curiosity has successfully landed on Mars - as the science is just about to begin!
Congratulations to all those involved in the mission - particularly those at NASA who have worked so long and hard for this moment. I look forward to hearing of the many discoveries that will be made through such an important mission.
In light of the successful touchdown on Mars, I just couldn't resist putting a few notes down about it for those who like to follow the blog.
First and foremost, the NASA Deep Space Communications Complex at Tidbinbilla (just outside of Canberra) was the prime communications receiving station on earth to communicate with the Curiosity Spacecraft for the decent and landing today. As a back up, both the Parkes telescope and New Norica facility in Western Australia were also used as backup communications links. A large crowd gathered at Tidbinbilla today to watch the even, with some even arriving at 9am to get the best seats in the house!
Our second major involvement is that the Curiosity rover has touched down within the Gale Crater is in fact named after Walter Frederick Gale, a Sydney banker and astronomer who undertook many observations of Mars, and subsequently had the Gale crater named in his honour. An interesting article about Walter Gale can be found here on the Cosmos website by Jonathan Nally.
Thirdly is Marion Anderson's involvement - a geologist from Monash university - who was involved in the landing site selection for the Curiosity mission. Alan Kerlin has an interesting interview with Marion over here.
Finally, Dr Penny King - a geologist from the Australian National University will be helping to control the scientific instruments of the Curiosity mission from NASA's JPL. No doubt, Dr King will be very excited that Curiosity has successfully landed on Mars - as the science is just about to begin!
Congratulations to all those involved in the mission - particularly those at NASA who have worked so long and hard for this moment. I look forward to hearing of the many discoveries that will be made through such an important mission.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Space Code of Conduct: An Australian Perspective - Analysis
Brett Biddington has written an interesting article about Australia's interested in a Space Code of Conduct - head over here for a good read.
Dr James Moody Article
The Australian has a great article on Dr James Moody and his career background - I can highly recommend it for all of you budding Space experts in Australia - head here.
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