Space Matters: The Space Governance Podcast

This is part one of a two-part podcast series on WRegSAT Series II. This podcast features interviews recorded during an April workshop that brought together Australian space experts, featuring Lesley Sutton, Luke Standen, Zamara Rodriguez, Dr Joel Lisk, Dr Melissa De Zwart, Dr Matthew Stubbs, Dr Rebecca Leshinsky, Dr Evie Kendal and Amos Taylor. Through a partnership with Gilbert + Tobin, particip...

Welcome to Season Three of Space Matters: The Space Governance Podcast. This episode serves as a framing discussion for the season and features the opening keynote from founder and CEO of the ACSG, Dr Cassandra Steer, delivered at our expert workshop on space infrastructure in the Asian Century. The workshop, hosted by the ACSG with support from UNSW Canberra, brought together senior stakeholders...

In this episode of Space Matters, we speak with Dr Tristan Moss about the intersection of Australia’s military history and contemporary space policy, tracing how defence considerations have long shaped Australia’s engagement with space. Drawing on historical and policy perspectives, this episodes explores Australia’s approach to developing sovereign space capabilities, recent investments in ground...

We speak with Art Cotterell and learn about why space needs to be mainstreamed across government as a core national priority. Looking on Art’s policy paper, Art's discuss how space technologies underpin critical infrastructure and support major policy domains, including climate change, economic reform and national security. Art sets out the value of a national space task force to coordinate wh...

In this podcast episode, we talk about the evolving field of space ethics with Flight Sergeant Amy Hestermann-Crane. Together, we discuss how virtue ethics can guide space policy and governance, helping ensure sustainability, responsibility, and security in the cosmos. Amy reflects on her journey into space ethics, the importance of asking ethical questions in space governance, and why moral refle...

In this episode of  Space Matters , Dr Cassandra Steer, CEO of the  Australasian Centre for Space Governance (ACSG) , and Andre Kwok, researcher at ACSG, talk about the role of space in the Asia-Pacific region. Together they reflect on the intersection of space law and policy, technology and international relations, highlighting how collaboration and cultural understanding are essential for shapin...

We speak with Stephen Ward and George Dyke from Symbios Communications about the important role of Earth observation (EO) data in shaping Australia’s space policy and climate response strategies. They explore how satellites support climate monitoring, including detecting and mitigating methane emissions, one of the most potent greenhouse gases, and discuss pathways to achieve cost-neutral solution...

In this episode, we explore how space-based technologies are shaping Australia's national security and disaster resilience. Jia-Urnn Lee, Space and Defense Lead at Frontiers SI, joins us to discuss the critical role of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems, Australia’s reliance on foreign infrastructure, and the need for national and regional solutions. She also shares insights from h...

Vinicius Geudes de Oliveira, a Brazilian lawyer and PhD candidate, explores the legal and cybersecurity challenges facing space infrastructure, particularly in Australia. He explains why cyberattacks are more cost-effective than kinetic warfare and argues for national space policy to protect critical systems. Vinicius shares how his background in international law led him to pursue a PhD focused o...

Welcome to Season Two of the ACSG Podcast. This season kicks off with a mini-series featuring conversations with the authors of eight policy papers developed from our 2024 workshop “Securing Australia Through Space". In this first episode, we speak with two of Australia’s leading space law academics, Dr Stacey Henderson and Dr Joel Lisk from Flinders University. together they discuss the impo...

Welcome to the season finale of Space Matters ! ACSG Chair Dr. Cassandra Steer sits down with Dr. Alexander Deejay, ACSG Executive Director, to rethink what makes space “cool”—and why that might not be the best way to understand its true importance.   While rockets, astronauts, and sci-fi dominate pop culture, the reality of space activity is far more mundane—and essential. Satellites support weat...

In this episode, Dr. Cassandra Steer sits down with Dr. Tristan Moss from UNSW Canberra to discuss the history of Australia’s involvement in space, focusing on the deep-rooted military influences that have shaped its space trajectory. From the launch of WRESAT, Australia’s first satellite developed through a military collaboration, to the Woomera testing range, a site with a legacy of missile test...

In this bonus episode of “ Space Security is Here and Now” , Dr. Cassandra Steer interviews Jessica West, senior researcher at Project Ploughshares, to discuss her work on space security and her latest report on “hidden human insecurities in space”. The conversation covers the human impact of space activities, emphasising the uneven distribution of space benefits and harms, and the importance of a...

In the final episode of our mini-series Space Security is Here and Now, we reflect on the critical yet often overlooked topics of language, diversity, and institutionalisation—key topics that are just as important as the substantive security issues discussed in official forums. We explore the nuanced distinctions between the militarisation and weaponisation of outer space and examine why these ter...

Are UN processes failing?    The Australian Centre for Space Governance is proud to announce part two of the "Space Security is Here and Now" podcast series.     Continuing from part one, we speak with internationally recognised experts Victoria Samson (Secure World Foundation), Jessica West (Project Ploughshares), Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UNIDIR), and Sarah Erickson (UNIDIR). They offe...

Have you ever wondered if Star Wars is a real possibility?
 
In this episode of Space Matters, we sit down with four trailblazing experts in space security: Victoria Sampson (Secure World Foundation), Jessica West (Project Ploughshares), Almudena Azcárate Ortega (UN Institute for Disarmament Research), and Sarah Erickson (UN Institute for Disarmament Research). Each shares their unique journey int...

What does a space lawyer do? Join senior fellow Dr. Kat Robison and research affiliate Joel Lisk in this episode of Space Matters, the Space Governance Podcast. They discuss the landscape of space regulation, focusing on Australian domestic space law and broader challenges in outer space regulation. Joel's insights cover the intersection of space laws with cultural and scientific rights, intel...

Welcome to a new episode where we discuss the Australian Centre for Space Governance's recent survey on Australian attitudes towards space activities. This study reveals a significant lack of awareness and knowledge about space activities among Australians, highlighting a gap between public interest in space and actual knowledge about space technologies. This podcast episode provides an in-dep...

In this episode of “Space Matters: The Space Governance podcast”, join our chair, Dr. Cassandra Steer, as she discusses Earth Observation, its role in our daily lives, its applications, and its governance. Our special guest, Stephen Ward, shares his journey into the space sector and discusses his work with Symbios in Earth Observation governance. This episode explores the transformative potential...

Welcome to today's episode where we dive deep into the vital work of the Australian Centre for Space Governance (ACSG). The ACSG advocates for responsible space governance and seeks to advance Australia’s interests in space in the 21st century.    Established as an interdisciplinary hub for space law and governance, ACSG is  dedicated to serving the comprehensive needs of government bodies, in...

Get ready for the launch of our new podcast series “Space Matters: The Space Governance Podcast”, brought to you by the Australian Centre for Space Governance (ACSG). Join us for the first episode where Dr. Cassandra Steer and Dr. Kat Robinson will take us through the ACSG’s mission in advancing Australia’s space interests in the 21st century, and advocating for responsible space governance.     D...