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Agenda

Main Stage

8:00am - 9:00am

Registration and exhibition open

9:00am - 9:05am

Welcome remarks from MC

Professor Alan Duffy
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Pro Vice-Chancellor of Flagship Initiatives
Swinburne University of Technology
9:05am - 9:10am

Welcome address

James Palmer
James Palmer
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Founder and CEO
Space Centre Australia
9:10am - 9:40am

Opening address

The Honourable Scott Morrison
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Non-Executive Group Chairman
Space Centre Australia, and Former Prime Minister of Australia
9:40am - 9:55am

Opening address

Enrico Palermo
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Head of Australian Space Agency
Australian Space Agency
9:55am - 10:30am

Morning tea

8:00am - 9:00am

Registration and exhibition open – breakfast/networking

9:00am - 9:05am

Welcome remarks from MC

Professor Alan Duffy
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Pro Vice-Chancellor of Flagship Initiatives
Swinburne University of Technology
9:05am - 9:35am

International keynote address

Ronald Caton, Space Security and International Partnerships Mission Area Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), will present an overview of the AFRL’s space science and technology portfolio. This address will highlight how the AFRL is postured to support the United States Space Force’s technical requirements, and outline key opportunities for collaboration and international engagement across the space domain.

Ronald Caton
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Space Security & Int’l Partnerships Mission Area Lead
U.S. Space Force – U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
9:35am - 9:50am

Main stage individual address

Major General Gregory Novak, AM
Major General Gregory Novak, AM
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Commander
Defence Space Command, Australian Defence Forces
9:50am - 10:25am

Session to be announced

10:25am - 10:55am

Morning tea

Strategy and sovereign capability

10:30am - 11:10am


Sovereign space systems: Commercial pathways for manufacturing and integration

As global defence demands rise, sovereign capability has become a national priority. While Australia's space manufacturing sector is maturing, scaling local manufacturing, securing critical inputs, and strengthening SME pathways remains a critical challenge.

This session sets forth specific priorities for manufacturing and integrating space systems.

You'll leave with a clear understanding of how to position your organisation for growth as the industry moves to reduce its foreign dependencies and build a reliable, sovereign supply network.

Professor Iver Cairns
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Director, ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs and their Applications, University of Sydney

11:15am - 11:55am


AUKUS, allies, and industry growth

The AUKUS alliance is set to redefine Australia's defence and space landscape, creating new opportunities for technology transfer, capability building, and industry collaboration. But lingering indecision in the US has injected anxiety into the relationship.

This session addresses how Australia is navigating these consequential international partnerships.

You'll gain insight into the challenges and opportunities that these alliances bring to bear on local industry.

Professor Rodrigo Praino
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Director, Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies
Flinders University
The Honourable Scott Morrison
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Non-Executive Group Chairman
Space Centre Australia, and Former Prime Minister of Australia
Dr Malcolm Davis
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Senior Analyst – Defence Strategy Program
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Mel French
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Director of Operations, Australia
L3Harris Technologies

11:55am - 1:00pm


Lunch and networking

1:00pm - 1:40pm


Launch economy and ground segment infrastructure

Australia's unique geography has positioned it as a potential launch leader, but reaching this level of influence requires ecosystem-wide collaboration and investment. Ground segment infrastructure, from spaceports to connectivity hubs, is critical to building this national capability.

This session weighs the drivers for demand against barriers in Australia's launch economy.

You'll leave with a better understanding of the market opportunities that are emerging as our launch and supporting infrastructure hungers for growth.

Lloyd Damp
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CEO
Southern Launch
James Palmer
James Palmer
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Founder and CEO
Space Centre Australia

1:45pm - 1:55pm


Is geopolitics on your pre-flight checklist? Navigating key laws, policies and headwinds in the space industry

Rapidly evolving macro-economic trends – geopolitics, geoeconomics, ESG, trade and digitalisation, along with an increasingly complex regulatory environment, are having a big impact on decision making and legal analysis in the space industry.

Mallesons legal experts, Annabel Griffin and Lauren Bourke will unpack how national interest themes are influencing the current regulatory environment surrounding the space industry and how that can impact your business, including:

  • Foreign direct investment and merger controls
  • National security considerations, including export controls and sanctions, data security, and critical infrastructure
  • Tthe evolution of ESG frameworks
  • Reform to telecommunications regulation

Annabel Griffin
Annabel Griffin
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Partner
Mallesons
Lauren Bourke
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Senior Associate
Mallesons

2:00pm - 2:40pm


Triple boost: Legal, financial, and ESG essentials for globally competitive space projects

As Australia's space sector scales, legal frameworks, finance access, and sustainability standards are becoming key enablers of sovereign growth. These ancillary services must be capable of supporting complex, high-value programs with global accountability.

This session asks how legal, financial, and ESG frameworks are evolving to enable global competitiveness.

You'll learn how to better leverage regulatory, financial, and ESG tools to unlock growth, secure investment, and build more resilient operations.

Professor Steven Freeland
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Emeritus Professor of International Law
Western Sydney University
Kate Creighton-Selvay
Kate Creighton-Selvay
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Partner
Mallesons

Technical foundations and workforce

10:30am - 11:10am


Technical deep-dive: Propulsion, hypersonics, and advanced systems

Breakthroughs in propulsion, hypersonics, and advanced materials are challenging military assumptions and reshaping the strategic potential of Australia's space sector.

In this session, we'll unpack the latest critical technical developments and their near-term application pathways.

You'll leave with the latest insights from frontier and be better equipped to align your R&D and technical programs with national capability priorities.

Matt Hill
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Chief Executive Officer
Hypersonix Launch Systems

11:15am - 11:55am


Beyond human reach: Autonomy, AI, and space operations

Autonomy and onboard intelligence are essential as missions extend in complexity and distance. From in-orbit servicing through to lunar operations, this session explores how AI is being used to manage mission planning and real-time decision making beyond human oversight.

You'll leave with a clear understanding of how to integrate autonomy into upstream design and operations, and where the most investable use cases are emerging.

Professor Ian Manchester
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Director, Australian Centre for Robotics and Professor of Mechatronic Engineering, University of Sydney
University of Sydney

11:55am - 1:00pm


Lunch and networking

1:00pm - 1:40pm


Workforce and talent pipelines for space growth

Talent shortages remain a critical bottleneck to Australia's space sector growth, with competition intensifying across technical, engineering, and defence-adjacent roles. Addressing this challenge requires co-ordinated action across education, industry, and government.

This session sets out the practical steps required to expand the space workforce.

You'll leave with actionable workforce strategies to help you attract, develop, and retain the next generation of space professionals.

Dr. Rebecca Allen
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Co-Director Space Technology and Industry Institute
Swinburne University of Technology

1:45pm - 1:55pm


Session to be announced

2:00pm - 2:40pm


Dual-use tech integration: Defence meets commercial space

The convergence of defence and commercial space technologies brings both enormous opportunity and complexity. While dual-use innovation accelerates capability, it also raises ethical, security, and market challenges.

In this session, we look at the complex interchange of transitioning defence technology for commercial markets and vice versa.

You'll leave better equipped to navigate the commercialisation pathways, compliance risks, and investment trends that are shaping Australia's dual-use future.

Anne Connor
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Sr. Manager, Business Development
L3Harris Technologies

Defence, national security, and industry

10:55am - 11:35am


Space-enabled defence and national security

Space-based technologies are increasingly central to Australia's defence and national security strategies, from SATCOM to real-time surveillance. But gaps still remain in our sovereign SATCOM capability and resilience – gaps that Defence is actively seeking information from industry to address. This session weighs our current capabilities against emerging and future needs to identify commercial pathways to support defence and security.

You'll gain a clear view of where market opportunities lie in supporting defence objectives and enhancing Australia's security posture.

Ronald Caton
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Space Security & Int’l Partnerships Mission Area Lead
U.S. Space Force – U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
David Ball
David Ball
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Regional Director Australia and New Zealand, Space
Lockheed Martin

11:40am - 12:00pm


Session to be announced

12:05pm - 12:45pm


Building trusted space partnerships: Strengthening capability through international co-operation

As the global space sector becomes increasingly internationalised, collaboration is no longer optional — it is essential. In an increasingly contested and technologically competitive
environment, trusted international partnerships are becoming a critical enabler of sovereign capability, innovation, and participation in the global space economy. From Earth observation
and climate resilience to lunar exploration, advanced manufacturing, and sovereign capability, international partnerships are shaping the future of the global space economy.

This session will explore how Australia can leverage international partnerships to accelerate sovereign capability, commercial growth, research collaboration, and participation in global
supply chains. Moderated by Lisa Vitaris, the panel will bring together international representatives from key partner nations to discuss:

  • Emerging opportunities for collaboration with Australia
  • How international partnerships accelerate innovation and capability
  • Pathways for Australian companies, researchers, and startups to engage globally
  • The role of diplomacy, trade, and government in supporting space growth
  • Building resilient and trusted regional partnerships
  • Cross-border collaboration in research, commercialisation, and workforce
    development

Importantly, the discussion will focus on practical outcomes and opportunities for the Australian ecosystem — particularly SMEs, researchers, startups, investors, and government stakeholders looking to expand internationally.

Lisa Vitaris
Lisa Vitaris
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MBA GAICD CompIEAust EngExec, Interim CEO and Director
Indo-Pacific Space
Dr Naoko Sugita
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Advisor to the Director
Earth Observation Research Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

12:45pm - 1:45pm


Lunch and networking

1:45pm - 1:55pm


Session to be announced

2:00pm - 2:40pm


The growing space economy: Markets, investment, and commercialisation

Australia’s space economy is gaining momentum, with growing private investment, new market entrants, and expanding export potential. But scaling requires more than technical capability.

This session is designed to build your commercial readiness.

You’ll leave with practical strategies to attract investment, access global markets, and grow your organisation’s position in the expanding space economy.

Dr Catherine Grace
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Director Civil Space Policy
Australian Space Agency

2:45pm - 3:05pm


Keynote address

Dr. Marie Le Pellec
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Space Sustainability Coordinator
European Space Agency

3:10pm - 3:50pm


Sustainability, debris, and space traffic management

The rapid expansion of space activity is escalating congestion, debris risks, and regulatory complexity. Without co-ordinated action, these threats will undermine commercial operations and national interests.

This session shares risk management strategies and commercial obligations for operating sustainably in space.

You’ll gain critical knowledge on evolving regulatory frameworks and the commercial implications of responsible space operations.

Dr. Marie Le Pellec
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Space Sustainability Coordinator
European Space Agency
Revd. Dr Nikki Coleman
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Space Ethicist

Public impact, connectivity, and consumer markets

10:55am - 11:35am


Climate, disaster response, and essential services from space

Space-enabled monitoring, communications, and data services are revolutionising disaster response, environmental management, and critical infrastructure resilience. But to realise the potential of earth observation data, including wider business applications, we need to find ways to democratise access to this vital resource.

In this session, we look at ways to bring together a fragmented EO landscape to better frame co-ordinated responses to societal challenges.

You'll learn how to secure access to critical EO data, and gain a deeper understanding of the market opportunities in space-enabled services

Craig Ingram
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Team Leader, Optics and Terahertz
CSIRO
Dr Naoko Sugita
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Advisor to the Director
Earth Observation Research Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Marco Surace
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Chief Engineer
APD Space

11:40am - 12:00pm


EO data for societal benefits and business applications: Improving accessibility and promoting cooperation among stakeholders

Dr Naoko Sugita
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Advisor to the Director
Earth Observation Research Center, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

12:05pm - 12:45pm


Ecosystem connectors – driving scalable impact in downstream space

Despite strong technical capability, Australia's downstream space sector faces a coordination challenge: data, developers, and end-users need to align, but the connective tissue between them remains weak.

This session maps the partnerships, platforms, and incentives needed to scale impact across Australia's EO, communications, and analytics markets. We'll explore what it takes to build the connective infrastructure that links innovation to scalable delivery.

You'll discover where market-building initiatives are most needed, and what work is being done to connect the downstream ecosystem.

Victoria Krivova
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Space Systems Engineer
APD Space

12:45pm - 1:45pm


Lunch and networking

1:45pm - 1:55pm


Session to be announced

2:00pm - 2:40pm


Why one astronaut can transform a nation’s capability — and what it means for you

As Australia considers the opportunity to send Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg on a future mission with the European Space Agency, this session explores a far bigger question: how can human spaceflight be leveraged to accelerate Australia’s sovereign capability, research excellence, workforce development, and global competitiveness?

With the rise of the Artemis era, commercial space stations, lunar exploration, and growing geopolitical competition in advanced technologies, human spaceflight is increasingly becoming an economic and strategic capability issue — not simply a scientific endeavour.

This panel will explore how Australia can maximise these opportunities and ensure the benefits extend far beyond a single mission. This is not simply about sending an astronaut to space. It is about determining whether Australia intends to participate in the next generation of the global space economy – or watch it from the sidelines.

Moderated by Lisa Vitaris, the discussion will bring together leaders from academia, government, industry, and workforce development to unpack how human spaceflight can act as a catalyst for:

  • Sovereign capability development
  • Workforce, skills, and pipeline development
  • Research translation and commercialisation
  • International partnerships and strategic influence
  • Participation in global supply chains
  • Advanced manufacturing and technology development
  • STEM engagement and future workforce attraction

Importantly, the session aims to move beyond inspiration and provide attendees with a practical, cross-sector call to action — outlining how organisations can position themselves to participate in and benefit from the momentum generated by human spaceflight.

Lisa Vitaris
Lisa Vitaris
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MBA GAICD CompIEAust EngExec, Interim CEO and Director
Indo-Pacific Space
Professor Simon Ellingson
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Executive Director
International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research
Thomas Goerke
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National President and Board Chair
Engineers Australia

2:45pm - 3:05pm


Keeping satellite networks connected and reliable in a crowded space environment

Satellite networks are evolving rapidly, driven by mega-constellations, real-time data, and closer integration with terrestrial systems. As capability expands, so does complexity.

This session explores the growing challenge of interference across space-based communications and sensing systems, from broadband LEO networks to navigation and radar payloads, unpacking why interference in orbit behaves differently to terrestrial environments and why traditional approaches to spectrum management are no longer fit for purpose.

Led by Professor Akram Al-Hourani of RMIT University, a recognised leader in satellite communications, radar, and spectrum sensing, the session will also examine the next frontier of space situational awareness, including spectrum sensing, RF fingerprinting, and Doppler-based techniques to identify and authenticate spaceborne emitters.

Drawing on more than two decades across industry and academia, the discussion will highlight the role of advanced modelling and simulation in enabling resilient, secure, and scalable satellite operations.

Akram Al-Hourani
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Professor and Discipline Lead, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
RMIT University

3:10pm - 3:50pm


Inspiring future generations: Workforce growth and diversity

Australia’s space sector can only reach its potential with a workforce that reflects the full diversity of its society.

This session isn’t about establishing the need – we know that building inclusive pathways is both a social and commercial imperative for the industry. It’s about testing strategies to attract, support, and retain the diverse talent needed to future-proof the space industry.

You’ll leave armed with practical strategies for building diverse, sustainable talent pipelines in your organisation.

Katie Mouser
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Chair
Australian Space Diversity Alliance
Greta Stephensen
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Aerospace Engineer
BAE Systems
Dr Sara Webb
Dr Sara Webb
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Course Director Swinburne Astronomy Online and Microgravity Program Lead
Swinburne University of Technology
Associate Professor Matthew Richardson
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Director of Space Education Programs, iLAuNCH Trailblazer
UniSQ

Main Stage

2:45pm - 3:15pm

Keynote address

James Palmer
James Palmer
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Founder and CEO
Space Centre Australia
3:15pm - 3:35pm

Session to be announced

3:35pm - 3:40pm

Closing remarks from MC

Professor Alan Duffy
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Pro Vice-Chancellor of Flagship Initiatives
Swinburne University of Technology
3:40pm - 4:30pm

Post-event networking

3:55pm - 4:25pm

Keynote address

Eric Philips OAM
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Polar explorer and astronaut
4:25pm - 4:55pm

Keynote address

4:55pm - 5:00pm

Closing remarks from MC

Professor Alan Duffy
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Pro Vice-Chancellor of Flagship Initiatives
Swinburne University of Technology
5:00pm

Event close



If you're interested in speaking at the event, please contact Jack via email.


*Agenda subject to change