Space Connect Podcast

Australia is playing a growing role in space domain awareness as the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) progresses at Exmouth in Western Australia. Speaking with Space Connect news editor Robert Dougherty, Northrop Grumman Australia director of programs Derek Reinhardt and Northrop Grumman's director of next-generation space systems, Kevin Giammo, discuss DARC, Australia's role in the program and the future of space domain awareness. The trio examine how DARC will monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit, supporting greater awareness of an increasingly congested and contested space environment. Reinhardt discusses the growing involvement of Australian industry, with local workers supporting construction, engineering, integration and testing while building the skills needed to operate and sustain the system. They also explore the logistical challenges of delivering the complex radar system at remote Exmouth, highlighting the importance of Australian and US collaboration with local expertise. Looking ahead, Reinhardt expects Australian capability to expand across DARC's 22-year life cycle, while Giammo highlights the growing importance of space domain awareness as more nations and commercial companies expand their presence in orbit. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

Phil Tarrant is joined by Space Industry Association of Australia CEO Dan Lloyd and chairman Darin Lovett to examine Australia's growing dependence on space and the strategic implications of an increasingly contested space domain. They unpack the critical role space plays across Australia's economy and national security, from positioning, navigation and timing, and communications to defence, transport, energy, agriculture, and emergency services. Does Australia have the strategy, investment, and risk appetite needed to turn its space ambitions into a practical national capability?

How should Australian aerospace and defence companies use patents and intellectual property to protect innovation and gain a competitive advantage? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, news editor Robert Dougherty is joined by Edward Genocchio, shareholder at GLMR and an experienced patent attorney and engineer with more than 30 years' experience across patents and the defence industry. The pair, attending Cicada X Tech23 in Sydney, discuss the strategic role of patents and intellectual property in Australia's aerospace and defence sector, including protecting sensitive technologies, managing trade secrets, and leveraging IP as a commercial asset. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The role of patents in protecting innovation and generating commercial opportunities. How SMEs can balance the cost of patent protection with the strategic value of their intellectual property. The differences between patents and trade secrets, including the challenges of maintaining secrecy. How secrecy orders can protect sensitive technologies from public disclosure. The importance of early patent filing and monitoring global developments to identify competitors and inform technology development. Emerging opportunities around drones, autonomy, swarm warfare, and connected autonomous systems. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can quantum technology and secure communications protect Australia's space and defence capabilities against emerging cyber threats? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, news editor Robert Dougherty is joined by Carley Scott, CEO of Space CoLAB and former CEO of Equatorial Launch Australia, which established Australia's first spaceport. The pair, attending Cicada X Tech23 in Sydney, discuss the growing threat posed by quantum computing, the role of AI in secure communications, Australia's sovereign technology ambitions and the challenges facing the nation's emerging space industry. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The looming threat posed by quantum computing to conventional encryption. Space CoLAB's HaloCore technology, a laser communications system designed to use quantum states to detect intrusion and protect sensitive communications. The growing convergence of AI, machine learning and quantum technologies, and their potential to improve system efficiency. The outlook for Australian space investment and the significance of continued government support for early-stage companies, deep technology and critical space capabilities alongside growing private investment. The challenge of retaining Australian space companies as international markets expand, with opportunities in the US and Europe potentially drawing investment, manufacturing and skilled workers offshore. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

What does the Australian government's new Statement on Space mean for the future of Australia's space industry In this today's episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Dan Lloyd, CEO of the Space Industry Association of Australia. The pair discuss the government's new Statement on Space and Statement of Expectations for the Australian Space Agency, including Australia's ambitions for sovereign space capability, dual-use technologies, microgravity, launch, and international partnerships. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The significance of the Statement on Space in establishing space as a national capability and critical infrastructure priority. Australia's reliance on international space services, particularly positioning, navigation and timing, and the need to identify capabilities where sovereign control and assurance are required. The growing opportunity presented by microgravity, with Australia already playing a leading role through Southern Launch and Varda Space Industries' return-from-space activities. The importance of developing sovereign Australian capability while maintaining strong commercial and strategic partnerships with the US and other international space powers. The growing role of dual-use and multi-use space technologies across civil, commercial, national security, and defence applications and the need for greater co-ordination across government. The role of the Advanced Capabilities Investment Fund in supporting dual-use capability through $500 million in government funding alongside $500 million in private investment. Finally, the discussion wraps up with Lloyd highlighting human spaceflight and research as a potential catalyst for Australia's next phase of space development, alongside opportunities to grow STEM, highly skilled employment, research, and industrial capability. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team  

Australia's space sector remains nascent compared to the United States, Europe, China and Japan. Yet Anupam Kumar Pilli, manager of strategic projects at ANU, frames this as an opportunity rather than a handicap. The critical task is identifying where Australia can differentiate – where capability gaps exist even in mature space economies. That differentiation rests on three pillars. First, microgravity manufacturing: as the International Space Station enters its final years and commercial alternatives emerge, gravity-dependent pharmaceutical and semiconductor production becomes economically viable. ANU is developing a Cooperative Research Centre focused on zero-G manufacturing, leveraging the recent Varda space capsule returns to South Australia. This capability – unmatched currently by the US or Europe – could position Australia as a global hub for orbital tissue and protein crystal growth, accelerating vaccine and pharmaceutical development timelines. Second, laser communications: ANU's recent success establishing laser comms with NASA's Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft demonstrates technical maturity. Unlike traditional radio frequency-based systems, optical communications enhance sovereign capability in critical national security communications – an emerging domain not yet fully mature globally. Third, space situational awareness: Australia's unique geographic position – clear skies, continental scale and capacity for observatory installation – enables unprecedented tracking of orbital assets. As proximity operations by both allies and adversaries increase, monitoring capability becomes essential. The newly launched HEO non-earth imaging partnership exemplifies this: repurposing existing earth observation downtime to photograph orbital assets provides low-cost, high-value surveillance. Yet realising these advantages demands integration. ANU's National Space Qualification Network – linking industry, academia and government infrastructure across the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, the University of Wollongong and Sabre Astronautics – provides testing environments for Australian space assets before orbital deployment. Over 25 assets have been qualified through this infrastructure. The strategic imperative, Pilli emphasises, is identifying where Australia possesses genuine competitive advantage, then building enduring industry ecosystems around those niches. Collaboration between government, academia and private enterprise is non-negotiable – but so is ruthless focus on differentiation. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can Australia strengthen its space capabilities through AI, international partnerships and closer integration between commercial and defence systems? In this special Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 edition of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Mel French, director of operations, and David Blair, director of space missile defence and advanced concepts at L3Harris Technologies. The trio discuss the evolving Australian space industry, the growing importance of collaboration between commercial and defence sectors, and how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are transforming space and missile defence capabilities. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The outlook for Australia's space industry, including the growing maturity of local companies and the importance of international partnerships. The emergence of a new "golden age" of space exploration driven by rapid technological innovation and renewed human spaceflight ambitions. The role of Australia in space surveillance, missile warning and weather monitoring. The growing role of AI in processing large volumes of sensor data and accelerating decision making. The importance of dual-use technology and the increasingly blurred line between commercial and military space capabilities. Finally, the discussion looks ahead to future L3Harris programs, including missile tracking, Golden Dome networks, sovereign SATCOM and positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, while considering how Australia and the United States can continue to deepen their space partnership. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can Australian space companies build commercial sustainability while retaining global competitiveness and supporting research? In this special Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 edition of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Kelvin Ho, product manager for space, surface science and materials at Scitek Australia. The pair discuss the evolution of Australia's space industry, the growing maturity of local companies and the need to balance government-supported research with commercially sustainable business. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The evolution of the Australian space industry and Australian Space Summit from its early stages to the increasingly mature commercial sector. How collaboration with international suppliers and customers, particularly through US supply chains, can create new opportunities for Australian SMEs and start-ups. Australia's participation in lunar exploration, including the potential benefits of lunar rover programs and the country's existing expertise in mining, remote sensing and remote operations. The importance of learning from failures in space missions and using testing to improve future technologies and systems. Finally, the discussion wraps up by exploring how Australia can strengthen its position in the global space sector through sovereign innovation, international collaboration and continued investment in the next generation of space professionals. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team

How can the space industry interpret the Australian government's Statement on Space and Statement of Expectations for the Australian Space Agency? In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Dr Jason Held, chief executive officer of Saber Astronautics and a former US Army Major with experience across the US Space Command and the Space and Missile Defense Command Battle Lab. The pair discuss the evolution of Australia's space industry, the priorities outlined in the government's new Statement on Space and the need for Australia to move beyond simply importing overseas technology towards developing and commercialising sovereign space capability. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The government's new Statement on Space, including its focus on trusted space systems, space monitoring, Earth observation, space flight, microgravity and exploration technologies. The dual-use nature of space technology and the growing overlap between civil, commercial and military space capabilities. The importance of maintaining flexibility within Australia's space strategy so emerging technologies and new companies are not overlooked in favour of only established industry priorities. The challenge of developing sovereign space capability while Australia continues to rely heavily on imported technology and overseas companies. The importance of government acting as a customer for Australian space companies rather than simply providing grants and funding to support early-stage innovation. The role of procurement and tendering processes in creating barriers for Australian space companies seeking to sell technology to government and Defence. The contrasting approaches to space acquisition in Australia and the United States, including the opportunities created by US Space Force's willingness to engage with innovative commercial companies. The role of the Australian Space Agency in developing the domestic industry, supporting start-ups and creating opportunities for Australian space companies. Finally, the discussion wraps up with Held reflecting on Australia's opportunity to build a genuinely sovereign and commercially competitive space sector, arguing that the key measure of success should be the number of new companies, products and capabilities Australia can develop rather than simply how much funding is committed to the industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team * Dougherty and Held discuss the origins of Saber Astronautics and play a competitive match of the card game Swordplay throughout the podcast interview.

How can modern manufacturing processes, industry collaboration and workforce development help strengthen Australia's growing space sector? In this special Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 edition of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Mitchell Galloway and Peter Gibson from FUCHS Lubricants Australia. The trio discuss the growing role of sovereign manufacturing in Australia's space and defence industries, the importance of developing local supply chains and how businesses can engage with universities and emerging talent to build long-term capability. The podcast conversation includes the following topics: The importance of sovereign manufacturing, local supply chains and Australian-made products in supporting both space and defence capability. How dual-use technologies and industry collaboration are creating opportunities across the space and defence sectors. FUCHS' engagement with universities and the value of industry partnerships with academia. The benefits of internship programs and practical industry experience in developing Australia's future engineering workforce. The significance of the Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register and Defence Industry Security Program requirements for companies seeking to work with defence primes and government. Industry perspectives on the state of Australia's space sector, investment trends and the need for continued commercial growth despite government funding pressures. Advice for students seeking careers in space and defence, including the importance of pursuing areas of genuine interest and passion. Finally, the discussion wraps up by exploring how Australia can continue building sovereign capability through local manufacturing, industry collaboration and investment in the next generation of engineers and technical professionals. Enjoy the podcast, The Space Connect team