Australian Space Science Conference 27/9/07

Discussion Forum
7th Australian Space Science Conference
Ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this discussion forum of the seventh Australian Space Science Conference.
It's a pleasure, and inspiring, to see so many of you here to share your passion for space science.
My name is Daniel Dasey and I will be your moderator this afternoon.
Our theme for the afternoon is ''Where To From Here''.
But before we begin our discussion please allow me to re-familiarise you with the distinguished panel we have been lucky enough to assemble today.
On the forum we have representatives from the CSIRO, from academia, from the space commericalisation sector and from the media.
In no particular order, they are:

Dr Miriam BALTUCK.
Miriam is the director of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, the Australian facility I'm sure most of you know is used to track and communicate with all of NASA’s solar system exploration missions.
Miriam has an extensive background in space science.
After gaining honours and doctoral degrees in science she joined NASA in 1986 to manage its Solid Earth and Natural Hazards Branch.
In 1994 she was seconded to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
She moved to Canberra in 1997 as the NASA Attaché at the US Embassy, Canberra and in 2006 assumed the directorship of the Deep Space Facility.
Professor Iver CAIRNS
Iver is the Chair of the Australian Academy of Science's National Committee for Space Science.
He is an Australian Professorial Fellow and Research Professor in Space Physics at the University of Sydney.
Iver is also a world expert in the theory and observation of waves and radio emissions in space, focusing on plasma physics.
His experience includes 12 years at the University of Iowa and 9 years at the University of Sydney.
Iver is leading development of the first Decadal Plan for Australian Space Science, seeking to develop and optimize Australia’s world-class capability in space science.
Dr Alex HELD
Alex has lived in Australia for the past 16 years working for the CSIRO.
He has a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of California, Davis, and a Bachelors degree in Biology from the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia, South America.
He served as the Head of the CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications - COSSA in Canberra, from January 2004 to December 2007.
He is now a Research Group Leader in the CSIRO Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research.
Roger L. FRANZEN
Roger is a graduate of Curtin University in WA and the principal of the new consultancy group, Earthspace.
This group is involved with civilian and defence space-related activities, specialising in space training and systems engineering.
Roger has been active in the European and the Australian space engineering industries for over 27 years.
In Australia, he has worked with Auspace Limited on several national programs including the Endeavour Ultraviolet Telescope, the Southern Launch Vehicle and in more recent times, the ARIES commercial Hyper-spectral remote sensing satellite.
While in Europe, Roger was involved with the construction and launch of seven commercial communications satellites.
Carol OLIVER
Carol is the Assistant Director (Management and Outreach) at the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquarie University.
Most of her career was spent in print, radio and television journalism before she moved into the university environment where she has engaged in astrobiology and space exploration-related science education and media.
She has a research Masters degree in Science Communication and is currently completing her doctorate in science communication.
She is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics, Deputy Chair of its SETI Post Detection Committee.
Wilson DA SILVA
Wilson da Silva is the Editor-in-Chief of COSMOS, the awardwinning Australian science magazine, and Cosmos Online, the daily science news and feature service.
A former on-air reporter/producer for ABC TV’s Quantum science program, he served as a foreign correspondent for Reuters. Wilson was managing editor of Newton and 21C magazines, Sydney correspondent for New Scientist, science editor at ABC Online, and a staff journalist at The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers.
He also stands to become one of Australia's first space tourists, by virtue of a planned flight with Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceline.
Professor Michael TOBAR
Michael is an ARC Professorial Fellow with the School of Physics at the University of Western Australia.
His research interests encompass the broad discipline of frequency metrology, precision measurements and precision tests of the fundamentals of physics.
He is also the focal point of Australian participation in space experiments involving precision clocks and oscillators.
Michael was the recipient of the 2006 Boas medal presented by the Australian Institute of Physics.

As for me, my credentials are by comparison are far more humble.
I've been a journalist for the past 15 years, with 10 of those spent at the John Fairfax Group, working on both The Sun Herald and Sydney Morning Herald.
For the past four years I have written the Discovery science column for The Sun-Herald and SMH on-line, often covering space science and space exploration topics.
I've had the pleasure in that time of speaking to a number of today's panelists.
W live in an exciting age for those interested in space.
NASA is looking ahead to a new manned moon mission as early as 2020 and beyond that to a mission to Mars, perhaps as early as 2030.
The European Space Agency is pushing ahead with its own plans for a Mars mission, as early as 2033.
China, Japan and India meanwhile are surging ahead as space powers, developing plans for manned spaceflights.
A host of probes are slowly unlocking the secrets of objects within our solar system at the same time shedding light on the origins of the universe.
To some it seems like only a matter of time before traces of alien life are found either within our solar system or on Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars.
Falling costs mean that the ability to undertake space travel is moving from the sole domain of governments to the private sector.
Space tourism, including sub-orbital flights and space hotels, are becoming realities.
So too are low-cost commercial space flights for businesses.

But what role will Australia play in this brave new world?
Will a lack of funding lock us out of this exciting era of discovery?
From a broader perspective, what direction should the world's space programs be heading?
Where to from here?

1. Iver Cairns
Hospitals and roads need building, schools need to be funded and space programs are expensive. Why should a small country like Australia bother with a space program at all? What are the benefits?
2. Miriam Baltuck
NASA is undertaking some very exciting projects, not the least of which are manned missions throughout the solar system. Is there an on-going role for Australia in these missions and what do you believe that is?
3. Roger Franzen
It's an exciting time globally for the space industry and space commerce.
Is Australia too distant and too detatched from the main centres of space commerce to become involved. Or could we play a major role?
4. Wilson Da Silva.
Space tourism appears to be booming. New Mexico has announced plans for a space port. How can Australia grab a share of the space tourism market?
5. Michael Tobar
There have been great advances made in the degree of precision with which we are able to make measurements. Do you believe we have reached the outer limit of these advances, or can we become more precise still?
6. Carol Oliver
You're involved with the SETI program. Do you believe life will be found beyond the Earth and what role can Australia play in locating it?
7. Alex Held
How do you believe can we raise the interest of the next generation of Australians in space?

OPEN TO AUDIENCE TO POSE QUESTIONS

8. Iver Cairns
How can we convince future Australian governments to invest more in space science and the development of a space program?
9. Miriam Baltuck
How do you believe Australia can move to the forefront of the world's space community?
10. Roger Franzen
What niche space industries do you believe Australia would be well positioned to exploit?
11. Wilson Da Silva
How common will space travel by Australian civilians become over the next decades?
12. Michael Tobar
How will space play a role in the lives of everyday people in the future?
13. Carol Oliver
If life is to be found elsewhere, where do you most suspect it will be located?
14. Alex Held
What role will the space industry play in ensuring global food supplies and the maintaining the health of our planet in coming years?



Extra questions:
How can we produce more Australian astronauts like Andy Thomas?
How will space play a role in the lives of everyday people in the future?
What space technologies can we expect to see filtering down to everyday life?
Where can money come from if not from the government?
How can we promote Australian space expertise overseas?
Should australia become an associate member of ESA?
Where do we position ourselves in regard to China and India? US reaction
Do we have reason to be optimistic about the future?


THANK THE PANELISTS AND AUDIENCE