Space Matters: The Space Governance Podcast

S3. Ep1. Building Shared Satellite Connectivity in the Asian Century - Keynote by Dr Cassandra Steer

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 from government, industry and academia, including a representative from the Philippines Space Agency, to discuss the future of space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Key discussions focused on strengthening regional collaboration, advancing burden-sharing frameworks, addressing evolving security challenges and reflecting on  a changing geopolitical order, including opportunities for Australia’s role in the region. The workshop also considered how these issues intersect with Australia’s regional priorities, including the importance of Asia literacy, and how deeper cooperation can help address national challenges while opening new avenues for engagement across the region. At a time of increasing strategic competition, these conversations are both timely and necessary. This podcast series builds on ACSG’s commitment to advancing responsible space governance, featuring experts Australian and international experts. The ACSG thanks Aiden Seaver for his background research for this keynote, together with Mila Spence and Andre Kwok for organising this workshop.  To learn more about the ACSG, visit our website at https://www.spacegovcentre.org/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacegovcentre.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cu7894367%40anu.edu.au%7Cb76d739640ad45d5052e08deab0d13f8%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639136269821341388%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mmkdaE7g1wIqIqrsRKav5NM8UBdm1mq9fwUYCmghQ5E%3D&reserved=0] and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacegovcentre/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fspacegovcentre%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cu7894367%40anu.edu.au%7Cb76d739640ad45d5052e08deab0d13f8%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639136269821392912%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=mCsFlHRc7dfBr9kntLSDRBf7hC6mmOALYv1T%2B59UUAU%3D&reserved=0]

S2 Ep8. Securing Australia Through Space: Australia's Military History and Contemporary Space Policy with Tristan Moss

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 infrastructure and the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening Australia’s space posture. The episode also looks at Australia’s space relationships in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting how collaboration with regional partners can enhance stability, support climate resilience, and ensure secure access to important space-derived data. Throughout the discussion, Dr Moss explains the need to mainstream space literacy across government and defence, develop clearer career pathways, and adopt a more integrated, whole-of-government approach to space governance. Dr Tristan Moss reflects that effective leadership, informed policymaking and sustained public engagement are essential to positioning space as a core pillar of Australia’s long-term strategic, environmental and security interests. Further Listening An earlier episode where Dr Tristan Moss explaining the significance of space history: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3srOVunSSYsCXqbm9dX3Zm?si=mpiEVBFbRU61maw-zXQUWQ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F3srOVunSSYsCXqbm9dX3Zm%3Fsi%3DmpiEVBFbRU61maw-zXQUWQ&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7C0912b32e1a7142e7fccc08de499386dd%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639029095120059176%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4%2BylqxWe1bm5T%2BgGH207tFV9yD8vChQOq8CZ2oTPRfY%3D&reserved=0]

S2 Ep7. Securing Australia Through Space: Art Cotterell on Mainstreaming Space

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 whole-of-government action and highlight the growing importance of intergenerational planning. The conversation also examines the role of the Australian Space Agency in advancing space literacy and building public understanding of how space technologies shape everyday life. Art advocates that public engagement is key to securing long-term political support, and that effective policymaking depends on a government workforce equipped to use and interpret space-based data. Ultimately, they argue that space is far more than rockets and astronauts, and that it is the infrastructure guiding Australia’s economic, environmental and strategic future.Further reading: * Read Art's policy paper: https://acsg.squarespace.com/publications [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Facsg.squarespace.com%2Fpublications&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7Cb61efd1e72f24b0b6ca208de3ac0beb1%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639012796662371360%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=S%2BUJFmkOwFkDPVY7fseZ4YQZgNpXf0RX1s67vroRtu4%3D&reserved=0] * Should humans colonise space? We asked 5 experts: https://theconversation.com/should-humans-colonise-space-we-asked-5-experts-267436 [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheconversation.com%2Fshould-humans-colonise-space-we-asked-5-experts-267436&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7Cb61efd1e72f24b0b6ca208de3ac0beb1%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639012796662387624%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FzPoXkXxEvwbksgNSBgLZ1zZR0QQR%2BJnS3eGbggV8O8%3D&reserved=0] * Space Colonies and Human Futures: The Debate Over Our Next Frontier: https://www.2ser.com/stories/space-colonies-and-human-futures-the-debate-over-our-next-frontier [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.2ser.com%2Fstories%2Fspace-colonies-and-human-futures-the-debate-over-our-next-frontier&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7Cb61efd1e72f24b0b6ca208de3ac0beb1%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C639012796662398473%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9qap5hu45IipiU15vwqmPTugGa%2B00Emyp5jwtxc6s8I%3D&reserved=0]

S2 Ep6. Securing Australia Through Space: Amy Hestermann-Crane on Virtue Ethics In Space

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 reflection is important as Australia expands its role in the global space community. This episode takes a closer look at how ethics play a role at the intersection of sustainability and security in modern space policy. Amy also discusses why Australia needs a dedicated space ethicist within its national framework and how ethics shapes debates concerning the role of multilateral cooperation in advancing global space governance. Listen now to learn how ethics play an important role in global space governance.

S2 Ep5. The Asia-Pacific Turn in Space Law and Policy: A Conversation with Andre Kwok

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 shaping the future of space governance. The conversation touches on the shift from national to regional perspectives, the use of Earth observation data in international law, and the growing role of space diplomacy in fostering cooperation across the region. They also reflect on the Centre’s new identity, Andre’s journey into space law and Asian studies, and the importance of cultural understanding and language in the Asia-Pacific. Other themes include space law’s role in conflict and security, the potential of space diplomacy to build regional ties and how space can help address shared challenges such as strengthen criminal investigations and climate change response. For more reading: * Securing Australia Through Space: Shared Interests in the Indo-Pacific Region: https://www.spacegovcentre.org/_files/ugd/ed2eed_11423f62a20d43eabb6f98a021f4058d.pdf [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacegovcentre.org%2F_files%2Fugd%2Fed2eed_11423f62a20d43eabb6f98a021f4058d.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7Cf9173fb24060464f1dc208de0075aa20%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C638948702517953827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FH0b77NC2kUzTAsyQeUm%2B8gTOEaV48HYwCqfSBZVmcY%3D&reserved=0] * Australia’s Maturing Space Capabilities in a National and Regional Context: https://www.nbr.org/publication/asias-space-ambitions-driving-the-next-chapter-in-global-space-competition/ [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbr.org%2Fpublication%2Fasias-space-ambitions-driving-the-next-chapter-in-global-space-competition%2F&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7Cf9173fb24060464f1dc208de0075aa20%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C638948702517985261%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xxU6z3NBPhiHH4H6I4x0ROA%2FXf3qqd%2B1QwCDYpqoN8o%3D&reserved=0] * Working together in space can enhance worldly ties between Australia and Japan: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/working-together-space-can-enhance-worldly-ties-between-australia-japan [https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lowyinstitute.org%2Fthe-interpreter%2Fworking-together-space-can-enhance-worldly-ties-between-australia-japan&data=05%7C02%7CAmelia.Taylor%40anu.edu.au%7Cf9173fb24060464f1dc208de0075aa20%7Ce37d725cab5c46249ae5f0533e486437%7C0%7C0%7C638948702517997951%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=P1mK12mcJUczmdXstr7wiopWDY4guXmtFA%2F5t3dzTRQ%3D&reserved=0]