Welcome to the 68th International Astronautical Congress 2017
25-29 September 2017, Adelaide, Australia
The global economy and security of many nations depends on assured and secure access to satellites that provide communications, timing and navigation services and remote sensing data. Space probes are also vital to our understanding of the solar system and the far universe. The IAC2017 program addresses all of these topics and emphasises the important contribution that space makes to STEM education as well.
Space is a fragile environment and satellites are easily damaged by space junk. Researchers and companies are working to reduce collision risks to acceptable levels to ensure that all of humanity can benefit from access to space and to space-based services.
Australia hosts ground-based sensors and is investing in research to enable the space environment to be more carefully monitored and regulated. The global space industry is being transformed by:
As the world’s largest space conference, every year the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) brings together leaders in space from across the globe – heads of major space agencies, astronauts, senior space engineers and policy makers.
In 2017 we’ll be marking some important anniversaries of human endeavour in space.
Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia's largest domestic and international airline. Registered originally as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS), Qantas is widely regarded as the world's leading long distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia.
The Space Industry Association of Australia is the peak national organisation that promotes the growth of the Australian space industry. It speaks with authority and credibility on behalf of its members on policy and commercial issues connected with the Australian space industry.
The SIAA takes a leading role in advising government on behalf of the space industry. It also provides a forum to promote networking and collaboration among members. Through meetings and events held in various Australian locations, the SIAA engages with members to devise and communicate policies to support the development of the Australian space industry. The SIAA actively promotes and facilitates commercial, industrial and research opportunities for members nationally and internationally.
The SIAA also harnesses the skills and expertise of its membership to address issues of common concern to corporations, businesses and individuals involved in, or seeking to become involved in, the benefits of the space sector in Australia and internationally.
Since May 2015 the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has been working to ensure that IAC2017 is an outstanding event and a memorable experience for all delegates and those who accompany them to Australia.
LOC MEMBERS
Mr Roger Franzen (LOC Chair and Chair of the SIAA). Roger is a highly experienced satellite engineer who is presently leading the team that will design and deliver the antennas for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. Roger played a leading role in the construction of a small Australian satellite, FEDSAT, in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Mr David Ball David has an extensive background in the satellite communications, broadcasting and telecommunications sectors with broad experience in sales leadership, business development, engineering, operational management, product development and marketing. He was the Chief Technology Officer for NewSat and has also held senior positions at INTELSAT and PanAmSat.
Mr Brett Biddington AM (Chief Executive for IAC2017 in Adelaide). Brett served in the Air Force officer before joining the space team of Cisco Systems. In 2009 he established his own consulting company. Brett is a former Chair of the SIAA and has been associated with efforts to bring the IAC to Adelaide since 2011.
Mr Michael Davis Michael has been involved with plans to bring the IAC to Adelaide from 2010. He is a former Chair of the SIAA and is especially active in space education, including through the International Space University (ISU). He is a retired lawyer with considerable experience in space law.
Ms Jennifer Doyle Jennifer represents the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science on the LOC. This Department has policy responsibility for civil and commercial space matters in Australia and administers the Space Activities Act which is the domestic law that regulates space activity in Australia.
Dr Alice Gorman Alice is a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at Flinders University in Adelaide. Her research focuses on the archaeology and heritage of space exploration, including orbital debris, planetary landing sites, off-earth mining, terrestrial launch and tracking sites, and interactions with Indigenous people.
Mr Jeff Kasparian With a background in satellite technology, Jeff is highly experienced in forming and managing partnerships between universities, other research organisations, industry and governments. He spent more than 20 years performing these roles at the University of South Australia, including at the acclaimed Institute for Telecommunications Research. He now consults in this area.
Dr Naomi Mathers (Australian Co-Chair of the International Programming Committee for IAC2017). Naomi is the Industry Liaison Engineer at the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre (AITC) at Mt Stromlo Observatory in Canberra. Naomi has much experience with the IAF, especially its educational and outreach activities.
Mr Peter Nikoloff Peter is the co-founder and a director of Nova Systems, a high-tech. company based in Adelaide. Nova has expertise in satellite communications and provides numerous services to Defence at the Woomera Test Range.
Ms Anne-Marie Quinn (ex-officio) Anne-Marie is the Managing Director of All Occasions Group (AOG), the Adelaide-based company that has been engaged as the Professional Conference Organiser for IAC2017. AOG has considerable experience in handling large conferences and also has a subsidiary company that is a travel agency.
Mr Nicola Sasanelli AM Nicola is the representative of the Government of South Australia on the LOC. He is an expert in facilitating international partnerships and collaboration between universities, other research organisations and governments. He served as the Science Counsellor in the Italian Embassy in Canberra before moving to Adelaide.
Mr Chris Schacht Chris was a Senator for South Australia in the Australian Parliament from 1987 – 2002. He served as a Minister and in 1993-4 was responsible for civil and commercial space matters. He remains active in business and politics, especially in South Australia.
Ms Mary Snitch Mary is the representative of the Lockheed Martin Corporation on the LOC. Mary is based in Bethesda, Maryland and is responsible for managing many of Lockheed’s relationships with universities and with international organisations.