ANU Institute for Space | InSpace

The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is set to revolutionise satellite communications in its newest project that will develop technologies to give Australians faster and more affordable access to data. In collaboration with The Australian National University, Optus and Leonardo UK, this project will build smaller, lower cost laser communications ground stations designed to bypass the radio bottleneck. Optical satellite communication technology has the potential to significantly increase data transmission rates, enabling a substantial increase in data return directly to Earth. Once in operation, these compact, low-cost ground stations and miniaturised, low-power onboard terminals will make high-speed downlink-to-Earth communications commercially viable. As part of this project, two PhD positions will be supported, view here: https://lnkd.in/g4y6-2V6 and https://lnkd.in/gyM5Emng Learn more about this groundbreaking project here: https://lnkd.in/g2nkJVCk Pictured: ANU team Marcus Birch, Kate Ferguson, Michael Copeland, Elisa Jager and Francis Bennet inside Mount Stromlo Observatory in Canberra. Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) | The iLAuNCH Trailblazer is a collaborative partnership led by the University of Southern Queensland alongside The Australian National University and the University of South Australia, supported by the Australian Government Department of Education. | #iLAuNCH #Space #Satellites #AustralianSpace

Hopefully by now you've had a chance to catch up on all the great work our Mission Control Team tackled in 2024. To close out this campaign, we'd like to highlight our fearless leader, ANU InSpace Director Professor Anna Moore FTSE, whose unwavering leadership of not only the InSpace team, but in the larger space sector both nationally and internationally, is paving the way for a brighter future in space and right here on Earth. Here are a few words from Anna: In 2024, InSpace and our esteemed partners had numerous reasons to celebrate, but it was particularly momentous to be honored with both the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Service to the University and the Vice-Chancellor's Clare Burton Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The Australian National University Chancellor's and Vice-Chancellor's Annual Awards last December.   These prestigious accolades highlight the significance of employing multidisciplinary approaches in developing space capacity to address societal challenges. The awards are a testament to the collective efforts of our entire mission specialist and mission control teams here at ANU InSpace.   I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the InSpace board, chaired by Dr. Sue Barrell AO FTSE, for their invaluable strategic input and unwavering support: 🔵 Sue Barrell AO FTSE, former Chief Scientist, Bureau of Meteorology 🔵 Helen Sullivan, Dean, ANU College of Asia & the Pacific 🔵 Kiaran Kirk AM FAHMS, Dean, ANU College of Science & Medicine 🔵 The Hon Kate Lundy, former Senator, ACT Federal Parliament, 1996–2015, Company Director 2015–present 🔵 Ray Mahoney, Indigenous Science Research Director & Principal Research Scientist, Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO   -- The Australian National University, Genevieve Bell, Julie Bishop Mission Specialists: Dr Zena Assaad, Francis Bennet, Ben Bramble, Caitlin Byrt, John Close, Doris Grosse, Junichiro Kawaguchi, Dr. David W. Kim, Penny King, Hanna Kurniawati, Robert Mahony, Kirk McKenzie, Maria Racionero, Professor Tracy Smart AO, Paul Tregoning, Eduardo Trifoni, Emma Tucker, Marta Yebra Space Industry Association of Australia, Australian Space Agency

Last week we featured out Strategic Project Managers and their highlights for 2024. Today we put the spotlight on Kate Ferguson, ANU InSpace Associate Director, Strategic Projects, as she discusses her highlights of 2024 alongside what she's most looking forward to in 2025: In 2024, I was proud to support a large portfolio of ANU-led iLAuNCH Trailblazer projects. From developing the original proposal to scoping and refining projects, engaging with our industry partners, to contract negotiations, we saw nine projects over the line to contract signature, kicking them off to start delivering fantastic capability in the Australian space sector. As the culmination of over two years of effort, it has been extremely gratifying to see the fruits of all this effort! With the iLAuNCH portfolio now firmly into delivery mode, I'm most looking forward to our next big strategic project as we accelerate the development of the Future of Space CRC during 2025. This Cooperative Research Centre will not only build on previous partnerships and capabilities to achieve new heights, but it will also increase engagement with end user sectors to deliver new economic opportunities enabled by space capabilities. iLAuNCH Trailblazer Industry Partners: University of Southern Queensland, University of South Australia, New Frontier Technologies, Space Machines Company, Liquid Instruments, Aspen Medical, Saber Astronautics, Northrop Grumman Australia, Spiral Blue, Inovor Technologies, Axiom Space, Aqacia, Leonardo UK, Nominal Systems, Boswell Technologies, Azista BST Aerospace, Optus Satellite and Space Systems, TeleDynamics Pty Ltd, HEO and ANT61. ANU Project Leads: Patrick Kluth, Eduardo Trifoni, Dr. Klaus Martin Schulte, Joice Mathew, Nan Yang, Rob Sharp, Mahdi Davoodianidalik (Davoodian), Francis Bennet, Tony Travouillon

On this International Women's Day 2025, we celebrate Marching Forward at ANU Institute for Space | InSpace with the amazing women in our team: Anna Moore FTSE, Kate Ferguson, Krysia D., Emily Schuster, Natasha Disha and Paris Chen. Listen to inspiring words from our Director Professor Anna Moore for all those wanting to break into the space sector. #InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #WomenInLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #MarchForward #WomenInSTEM

Congratulations to all involved, here's to exciting times ahead for improving satellite tracking!

The ANU InSpace team is looking forward to seeing everyone at the Avalon Australian International Airshow 2025 in just a couple of weeks! We’ll be at the ANU Booth 4B1, Exhibition Hall 4, along with co-exhibitors ANU Defence Institute, Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre (AITC), ANU College of Science & Medicine, ANU College of Systems & Society, ANU Strategic & Defence Studies, Future of Space CRC, National Space Qualification Network (NSQN), iLAuNCH Trailblazer, New Frontier Technologies, ANU Rocketry, and Heavy Ion Accelerators. We aim to provide curated times throughout each day to meet with specific partners and discuss ANU capabilities, research, and projects. Please come visit us at our booth and have a chat. We look forward to seeing you!

In this second instalment in our 2024 Highlights series, we're showcasing our Strategic Project Managers, whose work is vast and accomplished. 🌟 Anupam Kumar Pilli, Manager, Strategic Projects My work in developing the National Space Qualification Network (NSQN) has been a defining highlight of 2024, catalysing Australia's space sector and positioning ANU as a key player in the global space ecosystem. My contributions to NSQN and its impact on the Australian space industry have been recognised through my receiving the prestigious IAF Emerging Space Leader grant, culminating in a crucial piece of technology diplomacy between Australia and Singapore.   As I look ahead to 2025, my focus remains on further strengthening the NSQN, evolving it into a foundational entity that will underpin the Future of Space CRC, ensuring Australia's leadership in the Indo-Pacific space ecosystem.   ANU Institute for Space | InSpace, ANSTO, Steritech, University of Wollongong Centre for Radiation Physics, Saber Astronautics, Nova Systems Australia and New Zealand, Heavy Ion Accelerators, NSTF 🌟 Christopher Kourloufas, Manager, Strategic Projects In 2024, I convened four "demystifying space" workshops together with Dr. Cassandra Steer, Paul Tregoning, Francis Bennet, and Steven Crimp, bringing together our ANU InSpace space experts with those from other disciplines to enrich ANU space research with diverse perspectives. These discussions continue to catalyse new research opportunities and collaborations into 2025. Looking ahead to 2025, I'm working together with the Institute for Infrastructure in Society (I2S) and Gunggandji Aerospace on place-based approaches for space infrastructure. I look forward to sharing more about this exciting project in the coming months. Crawford School of Public Policy Sara Bice Daniel Joinbee 🌟 Natasha Disha, Manager, Strategic Projects IAC2024, hosted by the International Astronautical Federation and AIDAA - The Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics , was a truly transformative experience for me. I am deeply honoured to have received two prestigious accolades: the Emerging Space Leader Award from the International Astronautical Federation, which recognised just 30 young space professionals from around the globe for their remarkable contributions to the space industry, and the Emerging Space Leader Scholarship from the Space Generation Advisory Council, which enabled me to attend the 22nd Space Generation Congress 2024, where I was one of 15 selected recipients. These honours have opened doors to a prominent platform in the space industry and connected me with incredible mentors, as well as 29 hardworking, inspiring, and visionary peers from diverse backgrounds who I now consider as my allies in the international space industry.    Representing Australia's space industry on such a significant global stage in 2024 has been a profound privilege, and I can't wait to see what exciting adventures lie ahead in 2025!

Hi everyone, Emily Schuster here, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer at ANU InSpace. My Marketing Manager, Krysia Derecki, and I were chatting about how best to capture and share what a big year we had in 2024. We caught up with each of the nine members on our Mission Control Team individually and talked to them about their personal highlights for 2024 and what they’re most excited about for 2025. Today we're spotlighting our Program Delivery and Operations Team and our Marketing and Communications Team. Program Delivery and Operations 🌟 Benjamin Bek, Associate Director Program Delivery and Operations In 2024, my personal highlight involved the strengthening of relationships with our partners like iLAuNCH Trailblazer, SmartSat CRC, Consulting & Implementation Services (CIS), and Deloitte Space. I took the opportunity to visit non-ANU partners in-person in their home States, and appreciated how collaborative and welcoming everyone was. In 2025, I’m looking forward to continuing the positive relationships solidified in 2024. Dale Holland, Bhavani Balakishnan, Sharon Lu Andy Koronios, Hanna Kurniawati, Kirk McKenzie, Andrew Beveridge, Carl Seubert, Andrew Barton, Paul Tregoning Darin Lovett, Milica Symul, Dr. Joni Sytsma, Kavanna Trewavas, Hunter Walkenhorst GAICD, Matthew Richardson 🌟 Paris Chen, Senior Institute Administrator and Executive Assistant 2024 has been a year of firsts! Joining ANU InSpace was my first introduction to the space industry. I've seen firsthand the amazing initiatives InSpace supports and enables, helped out with the iLAuNCH Trailblazer reporting, and even attended my first space industry event at the CBR Space Industry Cooperative Space Breakfast. It has been so exciting to meet people working in this space! In 2025, I’m keen to keep learning, meet more brilliant minds in the industry, and support more initiatives that make a difference. Marketing and Communications 🌟 Krysia Derecki, Marketing Manager 🌟 Emily Schuster, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Never a dull moment at InSpace, and 2024 was no exception, with many space initiatives kicking off and keeping our team busy. We started the year by launching a new website, with thanks to our partner Giraffe Studio Canberra. In a year-long social media campaign, we featured our Mission Specialists, highlighting their and their students' space-related research. Special thanks to Rohan Taylor and SilverSun Pictures who we’ve collaborated with on several film projects. In 2025 we're excited to support the marcomms for the ANU-led Future of Space CRC bid, which will be announced shortly. We look forward to meeting our many partners at the upcoming Avalon Australian International Airshow in March and IAC 2025 Sydney, the world’s largest space conference, this Sept/Oct, hosted by Space Industry Association of Australia and co-hosted by NSW Government and Australian Space Agency. If you attend these conferences, please come visit us at our booths!

The Australian Centre for Space Governance is holding the first WRegSAT series workshop, hosted by UNSW Canberra in partnership with Gilbert + Tobin. This initiative is part of ACSG’s leading work to advance 21st Century space governance, bringing together key stakeholders across government, industry, and academia to explore regulatory options and opportunities in Australia's rapidly evolving space sector. ANU InSpace is proud to support this important work. A representative from the Australian Space Agency will also be attending as an observer, reinforcing the need for cross-sector collaboration in shaping space governance. For inquiries about the workshop, please feel free to contact Margot Ellis at margot.ellis@unsw.edu.au. 📖 Read the attached post below and website link for more details #spacegovernance #spacelaw #spacepolicy

Excited to share that The Australian National University ANU Institute for Space | InSpace is working with Deloitte to explore new frontiers. ANU InSpace, through National Space Qualification Network (NSQN) brings demonstrated space qualification and testing capabilities as well as world leading research and governance expertise in all areas of the space value chain from manufacturing of new hardware to utilisation of space technologies down here in earth. Deloitte, as the largest professional services firm in the space industry, brings global reach, deep connections and a proven blend of technical engineering expertise and business acumen to drive success across the space value chain. By collaborating together we will unlock new commercial opportunities in space missions and programs at the intersection of academia and industry, as well as showcasing the exceptional capabilities of Australia's Space qualification and testing expertise in the eyes of the global space industry. Anna Moore FTSE Kate Ferguson Benjamin Bek Anupam Kumar Pilli ANU Institute for Space | InSpace National Space Qualification Network (NSQN) Deloitte Jason Bender Geraldine Baca Triveno, PhD #spacequalification #NSQN #anuinspace #deloitte #deloittespace