Astra Program

🚀 We're just a few weeks away from the release of this year's Astra Program white papers! Our three teams are hard at work researching, writing, and expanding their understanding of Australia's space industry - and we need your input. Team Acacia is examining Australia's national identity in space and is seeking data on public perceptions and awareness of the space sector. Whether you work in the industry or not, please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below - your response will help inform the team's white paper. Thank you in advance! Watch this space for the release of the white papers at the end of next month 🔭 https://lnkd.in/dsev9FVS

We're proud to announce that Astra is supported by the iLAuNCH Trailblazer for 2024-2025! iLAuNCH - the Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications, and Hypersonics Hub, led by the University of Southern Queensland, is boosting Australia's sovereign space capability and addressing skills shortages in space through future skills development initiatives like micro-credential pathways and research pathways for space engineering, including industry-based internships for PhD students. We are proud to collaborate with iLAuNCH to bring our Emerging Space Pioneer award to three outstanding candidates at the conclusion of the Astra Program. This award will allow three Astra participants to attend the Australian Space Forum in Adelaide, South Australia this year. We are grateful to the iLAuNCH team, especially Darin Lovett, Milica Symul, Kavanna Trewavas and Matthew Richardson, for supporting our aim to connect education with the Australian space industry for our participants.

Team Casuarina, led by Amy Pang and Anel Kapur, have been learning about space in Oceania and Southeast Asia. The team has been exploring the question: how can Australia and its regional neighbours enhance space sector cooperation to address shared challenges and promote sustainable development and stability? Thanks to our fantastic SMEs so far, Christopher Kourloufas, Hoani Hakaraia, and Zandria Farrell for advising Team Casuarina on this complex and interesting topic. See what the team has learned below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Team Banksia, under the leadership of Jake MacKenzie Wood and Madeleine T., have been asking what sets Australia apart in space, and how can we leverage our strengths to establish a distinctive and lasting role in the global space sector? Thanks to Banksia's SMEs so far, Joshua Kassulke, George Campbell, and Michelle Keegan, for lending your expertise to our team. Check out the graphic below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Team Acacia, led by coordinators Kelly Chen and Sepehr Saryazdi, have been exploring how the value of space is communicated. The main question the team is looking to address is: how can the Australian identity can be adapted to embrace space as an embedded value and goal in Australia’s future? Thanks to our SMEs so far, Tristan Moss and Natasha Bailo, for sharing your expertise with the team! Learn more about Team Acacia's topic below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

🔭 A closer look at the 2024/25 Astra Program. Our three teams have been busy over the past few weeks learning about their topics and about the space industry in Australia. We're excited to showcase their hard work through a series of informative graphics created as part of the Topic Snapshot deliverable for the program. This task encouraged teams to explore key concepts within their topics, incorporating guidance from our excellent subject matter experts and flexing their science communication skills. A special thanks to Kerrie Dougherty, Donna Lawler, Jason Held, and Dominic Shumilin for sharing their expertise with all teams, along with the other industry experts who have offered tailored information to each team. Stay tuned to see the impressive work our teams have produced!

Are you a student or an early-career professional? We need your help! One of our fantastic teams for this year is collecting data on knowledge about Australia's space industry. Whether you're currently involved with Australia's space sector or not, please help them out by filling in the short survey linked below ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gDS5W8dz

Don’t know how but I am currently apart of the Astra Program an online summer program to meet with space professionals and learn about Australia's space industry.

Honoured to be selected as a participant in the 2024 Astra Program cohort! As a member of #TeamCasuarina, I’m excited to explore how Australia and its regional neighbours can enhance #spacesector cooperation to address shared challenges and promote #sustainabledevelopment and #stability.  Grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with inspiring individuals and learn from the incredible Astra community. Looking forward to the trajectory ahead! 🚀 🛰️ 📡