Space Matters: The Space Governance Podcast

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 solutions.

The conversation delves into the geopolitical challenges of Australia’s reliance on foreign satellite data, the risks posed by shifting global dynamics, and the need to secure data sources through strategic international partnerships. Stephen and George propose key policy recommendations for strengthening Australia’s space capabilities, including the potential for sovereign satellite missions.

They also reflect on the importance of EO data in global climate response mechanisms and the important role satellites play in providing the information needed for climate action and resilience.

Read the policy paper here: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/_files/ugd/ed2eed_56a9d7ecfa384fd89b5602b8433f39b4.pdf

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 her recent policy paper on resilient PNT for disaster response and shares the importance of governance in driving adoption of advanced space technologies.

PNT systems underpin a wide range of essential services, from emergency response and transportation to financial transactions and defense operations. As critical infrastructure, the resilience and accessibility of PNT capabilities are vital for Australia’s ability to respond to natural disasters, maintain national security, and support everyday services.

Read Jia-Urnn’s policy paper on resilient PNT for disaster response: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/_files/ugd/ed2eed_0c1bfdc1a6564fb2b4ea5d915fddb5ce.pdf

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 on the cybersecurity of Australia’s space infrastructure. He explains that most cyberattacks remain below the threshold of armed conflict but can be just as disruptive, especially in the strategically important space sector. With Australia’s space industry still developing its legal and policy frameworks, he talks about the need for a national space policy and space-specific cybersecurity measures. Vinicius also discusses the importance of international cooperation and advocates for practical tools, like a cybersecurity toolkit, to help space operators better understand and manage evolving threats.

Further Reading

• Vinicius’s policy paper on space cybersecurity: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/_files/ugd/ed2eed_fa255cc6d89b4ea888578905da238f64.pdf
• Other publications from the ACSG policy workshop series: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/our-research
• Vinicius’s latest book chapter titled “Brazilian Space Law: A Critical Analysis of Brazil’s Space Activities Act”: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-85680-8_4

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 importance of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act to the space sector.
We discuss:

• The role of positioning, navigation, and timing technologies in civilian and military infrastructure
• Australia’s dependence on foreign satellite systems and the impacts on sovereignty and resilience
• Legal and regulatory considerations under the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act
• Stacey and Joel’s  legal careers and university experience
• Why space infrastructure should be treated as critical infrastructure requiring proactive policy attention

• Access all eight policy papers from the workshop: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/our-research
• Read the specific paper discussed in this episode: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/_files/ugd/ed2eed_bb310e7204ef49efafb1533b0012c11c.pdf
• Learn more about ACSG and our work: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/

Links and Resources:This episode is a must listen for researchers and professionals across government, research, and industry working on national security, infrastructure resilience and space governance.

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 weather forecasts, GPS navigation, and disaster response, making space-based infrastructure a central part of modern life.

Together, they explore how Hollywood and NASA have shaped public perceptions, how the myth of space as a frontier affects policy, and whether technological utopianism taint space’s true value. They also discuss how framing space as critical infrastructure could encourage more sustainable public investment.

Thank you for joining us throughout Season One. Stay tuned for more in our next season. 

For more reading:

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 testing and military technology development, Dr. Moss explores the legacy of defence interests in Australia’s early space initiatives.

The episode also looks at Australia’s strategic participation in the European Launcher Development Organization during the Cold War, where geopolitical alliances affected the importance of resilience and collaboration. Dr. Moss and Dr. Steer discuss the lessons of Australia’s military space history, the impact of public perception on the national space narrative, and how these histories continue to inform Australia’s current and future space policies.

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 addressing these issues through diverse, inclusive governance. 

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 terms are essential for shaping future space governance.

We also discuss the vital role that civil society organisations, like the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), play in influencing space security discussions, particularly through their support of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on space security.

Key topics include:

Join experts Victoria Samson, Jessica West, Almudena Azcárate Ortega, and Sarah Erickson in this final episode as they unpack these pressing issues and provide expert views on the future of space security.

For more information:

Are UN processes failing? 

The Australian Centre for Space Governance is proud to

Continuing from part one, we speak with internationally

Key issues explored in this episode include the escalating

We'll also discuss recent developments surrounding Russia's

🎧 In these contentious times, with varying capabilities and interests among states, we are fortunate to draw on the wealth of knowledge from our internationally recognised experts. This episode offers deep insights into space security, the institutional frameworks in play, and the contemporary challenges shaping the future of outer space.   
For more information about our podcast guests: 

Jessica West, Project Ploughshares: https://www.ploughshares.ca/author/jessica-west 

Victoria Samson, Secure World Foundation: https://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/victoria-samson/ 

Almudena Azcarate Ortega, UN Institute for Disarmament

Sarah Erikson, UN Institute for Disarmament Research: https://unidir.org/people/sarah-erickson/ 

For more reading related to the topics discussed in this

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 into the space sector, shedding light on the winding paths that led them to their current roles in space governance. The episode dives into the historical roots of space security, exploring the military origins of space exploration, the critical lessons learned from Cold War-era nuclear tests, and the development of international space treaties.
 
This podcast episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in space governance, international law, and the intersection of technology and global security. Tune in to hear from the experts who are leading the way in shaping the future of space security.
 
For more information about our podcast guests:
 
Jessica West, Project Ploughshares: https://www.ploughshares.ca/author/jessica-west
 
Victoria Samson, Secure World Foundation: https://swfound.org/about-us/our-team/victoria-samson/
 
Almudena Azcarate Ortega, UN Institute for Disarmament Research: https://unidir.org/people/almudena-azcarate-ortega/
 
Sarah Erikson, UN Institute for Disarmament Research: https://unidir.org/people/sarah-erickson/
 
More information on topics discussed:

• Outer Space Treaty: https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html


• More information about the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: https://disarmament.unoda.org/wmd/nuclear/npt/#:~:text=The%20NPT%20is%20a%20landmark,and%20general%20and%20complete%20disarmament.

• UN Res 75/36 establishing the Open-Ended Working Group: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3895440?v=pdf


• UN A/Res 77/41 calling for a moratorium on direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2FRES%2F77%2F41&Language=E


• Secure World Foundation report "Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Tests: State Positions on the Moratorium, UNGA Resolution, and Lessons for the Future" https://swfound.org/news/all-news/2023/10/direct-ascent-anti-satellite-missile-tests-state-positions-on-the-moratorium-unga-resolution-and-lessons-for-the-future/


• Recap report by UNIDIR on the OEWG (authored by Almudena and Sarah) https://unidir.org/publication/oewg-on-reducing-space-threats-recap-report/


• Recap report on the OEWG

by Project Ploughshares (authored by Jess West) https://www.ploughshares.ca/reports/the-open-ended-working-group-on-reducing

-space-threats-final-recap


• Cassandra Steer, "Making Arms Control Work"  https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/making-space-arms-control-work


• Secure World Foundation, "Global Counterspace Capabilities Report" (co-authored by Victoria Samson and Brian Weeden) https://swfound.org/counterspace/


• UNIDIR report "Space Security and Sustainability: Why Is It Essential for Small Island Nations?" (co-authored by Almudena and Sarah)  https://unidir.org/publication/space-security-and-sustainability-why-is-it-essential-for-small-island-nations/