The Australian Centre for Space Governance is an organisation that brings together experts from a variety of fields across six different universities. It recently released a very intriguing survey looking at just how aware the general public are is of Australia's space industry. The results suggest that the sector has much more to do if it's to highlight its achievements. This episode, two of the people behind the report, Dr Cassandra Steer and Dr Tristan Moss, discuss its findings.

Australia's space industry is currently grappling with a skills shortage, which means tens of thousands of new workers are needed for the sector to continue to grow. But while the problems are well known, the industry is struggling to explain how it can find solutions to encourage the next generation to pursue what should be the country's most exciting career. In this episode, our guest is Jen Malone, a woman who single-handedly set up the Young Astronauts Club, an initiative that aims for school children to take an interest and be involved in space exploration. She talks about how she did it and how we can encourage more participation, and diversity, in STEM.

Anntonette Dailey has seen first-hand how Australia's space industry has been transformed from a minnow into one of the country's fastest-growing sectors. Now working for Defence Council Victoria, she tells host Adam Thorn how she turned a passion for space as a child into a lifelong career. The pair also discuss how we can attract more young people into the industry, and why it's important to make space accessible to women.

The One Giant Leap Australia Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to advance STEM education and careers.

It provides life-changing opportunities for students and educators to develop and build their knowledge and understanding of these crucial subjects.

This week, Jackie Carpenter, its managing director, joins host Adam Thorn to talk more about the organisation.

The $180-million iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between universities and industry that aims to accelerate space innovation in Australia. This week, Darin Lovett, the organisation's executive director, tells Adam Thorn how academia and private companies can work together for everyone's benefit. Plus, the pair discuss his astonishing CV, which has seen him oversee South Australia's space strategy, help create Defence's revolutionary Loyal Wingman aircraft, and even work in the Pentagon.

Equatorial Launch Australia made global headlines last year when it launched three NASA rockets from its pioneering spaceport in the NT.

A year on, its CEO, Michael Jones, joins the Space Connect Podcast to talk about what's next for the business.

Jones also discusses how Australia should both compete and collaborate with other international space industries as demand for launch outstrips supply.

Earlier this month, Space Connect reported how the University of Queensland unveiled a new furnace that can help create the components used on hypersonic "spaceplanes". The device will be able to heat materials to almost 3,000 degrees, allowing it to replicate the extreme temperatures experienced by hypersonic vehicles as they travel beyond Mach 5. UQ Associate Professor Michael Heitzmann, one of Australia's leading experts on composite materials, tells Adam Thorn how the furnace works. Plus, he reveals how far away we are from a world where spaceplanes become a reality.