ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥

Space alumni discuss ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s future place in space

Monday, 25 September 2017

Four of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide’s most distinguished alumni involved in the global space industry, including former NASA astronaut Dr Andy Thomas, AO, will this week help the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ celebrate its past and present involvement in the space industry.

Fifty years ago, ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide physics researchers worked with ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s Weapons Research Establishment to design, build and launch ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s first satellite, WRESAT, and earlier this year a ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide-built miniaturised satellite was launched by NASA, one of three ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n ‘CubeSats’ and the first ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n satellites launched in 15 years.

In Adelaide for this week’s International Astronautical Congress – the world’s largest annual gathering of space professionals – the four ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ alumni will discuss their experiences in the space industry and ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s potential space future at a special ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide public lecture.

Dr Andy Thomas, the world’s first ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n-born astronaut, retired in 2014 after 22 years with NASA, four space flights, 177 days in space, a spacewalk, and four months living in zero gravity on the Mir space station. Dr Thomas graduated from the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide with a degree and PhD in mechanical engineering.

Dr Kimberley Clayfield is Executive Manager of Space Sciences and Technology at CSIRO where she is responsible for the coordination and support of CSIRO’s space-related activities, and helps to guide ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s space technology agenda. Dr Clayfield graduated from the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide with a degree and PhD in mechanical engineering.

Dr Justin Hardi leads the Combustion Dynamics Group at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Germany’s national research centre for aeronautics and space. He is a highly experienced rocket propulsion research engineer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace) and a PhD in propulsion engineering.

Andrea Boyd is an International Space Station (ISS) Flight Operations Engineer, based at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany. She is the only ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s on the ISS flight control team and is based at the European Astronaut Centre in Germany. She graduated from the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide with degrees in engineering and economics.

“The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide has a long history with space research and development, and is very proud of its distinguished alumni who continue to make their mark in the global space industry,” says ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Mike Brooks.

“Today we continue to produce highly talented graduates and postgraduates in aerospace and other engineering as well as generating leading-edge research in areas from aeronautics and high-pressure combustion through to new developments in space law.

“We welcome today’s announcement of the new space agency and look forward to contributing strongly to this important sector.”


The public lecture, , is booked out but can be watched by livestream on the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s facebook site at on Wednesday 27 September, 5.30–6.30 pm.

Contact details