A Curtin University student has made a ‘strange’ discovery through a wide-view telescope using his own technique. On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about the beam that was discovered in the Milky Way that emits radiation multiple times an hour, and whether it is a clue of something astronomers have only known existed theoretically. Next, the team discusses China's ambitious five-year plan to claim power in space, all from finishing the nation’s space station, launching more satellites and reaching for the moon again.  Lastly, the crew chats about the alleged abandoned SpaceX rocket that is set to impact the moon in March and how long-time observers made this discovery. 

Flinders University has launched an “archeological experiment” on the ISS to determine how astronauts interact with their surroundings in space. On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, Adam Thorn, Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss what this study is all about, and how it is considered archeological. Then the crew chats about a new report that has been released in Australia urging the nation to increase its sovereign Earth observation satellite capabilities, in fears it won’t be prepared for a future space weather event. Next, the group discusses how Australia was chosen to build the rover for the moon because of its  “world-class” mining and expertise in working in harsh conditions. Lastly, the trio chats about the first spacewalk of the year on the ISS and Liam closes off with the first space fact of the year. 

The long-awaited James Webb telescope finally launched on Christmas Day and the observatory is now making its final adjustments before revealing the universe’s biggest mysteries. On the first Space Connect Podcast episode for 2022, Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about Webb’s successful launch and all the latest updates. Then, the duo discusses Gilmour Space Technologies’ latest rocket engine test fire, and how this marks one step closer to seeing the first Aussie-built rocket launch into space. Lastly, the crew chats about a zero-emission, supersonic spaceplane that is being built by an Australian start-up, and how it could be a more sustainable way of launching satellites into space in the future.

Australia is leading a new initiative to search for planets that could sustain life from the world’s nearest triple star system, Alpha Centauri. On this week’s Space Connect Podcast episode, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat to the project leader, Professor Peter Tuthill, about what this mission means and whether he believes the team will find what they are looking for by the middle of the decade. He walks the crew through how the mission came about, how it was a “stab in the dark” and what his hopes are in finding a planet in the unseen.

For Australia to take the next steps within the space industry, it must first form a core policy and develop a whole-of-government strategy. In this week's episode of Space Connect Podcast, hosts Bella Richards and Liam Garman chat to Tristan Moss, a historian studying Australia’s space industry, about a paper he recently published on what improvements are needed to further the nation's sovereign capability. He walks Bella and Liam through the history of the industry, what needs to change and how the lack of a core space policy leaves Australia with a disjointed industry, and furthermore, a lack of direction.

The commercialisation of space, billionaire joyrides, the first movie filmed in space, a Russian anti-satellite test and the International Space Station in danger – 2021 was a big year for the industry. On this end-of-year wrap up episode, hosts Adam Thorn and Bella Richards chat about the biggest themes that came out of 2021 – commercial space and debris – and how these shaped the industry forever. The duo ends the episode with their expectations of what is to come next year: from the development of low-Earth orbit space stations and finally, the long-awaited commercial rocket launch from Australia.

The Trailblazer program officially kicked off this week, enabling space companies to now access up to $50 million in government grants to build NASA a rover for the moon. On this week’s Space Connect Podcast, hosts Adam Thorn, Bella Richards and Liam Garman discuss what this development means for Australia. They also talk about the university that has already built a navigation system that could be used for the rover. Next, the crew chatted about the buzz word ‘debris’ again, as the International Space Station was forced to deal with the increasing fears of space junk twice in one week. Lastly, Liam shares his fact of the week all about space insurance, and what companies really pay to keep their operations in check.