ABSTRACT. Space capabilities, products and analytics are growing at incredible rates. Forecasts show the global space economy growing to $1.3 trillion (US) by 2030. These capabilities will dramatically impact our life on Earth and improve our quality of life, connectivity across the globe, understanding of our environment, and ensure our national defence. In addition, space is no longer just the domain for major powers and countries, but the capabilities and benefits are touching every country across the globe. This presentation will highlight the key technologies and programs providing these capabilities, the benefits associated with them, the technologies being developed and the role Australia and our vibrant research community will play in these developments.

ABSTRACT. The Australian Space Agency (ASA) plays a pivotal role in shaping national space capability and positioning Australia as a trusted global partner. This keynote will outline ASA’s recent activities around our five priorities: civil space policy leadership, capability uplift, international partnerships, sector regulation, and STEM workforce development. Highlights from 2025 include multiple satellite launches, pioneering commercial in-space manufacturing returns, Australia’s first orbital launch attempt, and hosting the record-breaking International Astronautical Congress in Sydney.

ABSTRACT. Australia (via CSIRO, Geoscience Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology) will be the Chair of the international Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) for 2026. Established in 1984, CEOS is a best-efforts organisation whose members include 64 agencies from countries that operate or support satellite earth observation infrastructure and data. CEOS Agencies work together on collaborative missions and initiatives, and such cooperative efforts have highly benefited users all around the world, including better access to free and open satellite EO data. CEOS provides an established means of communicating with external organisations, enabling member agencies to collectively understand and act upon external stakeholder needs, including from the United Nations, and in promoting the use of EO data, facilitating international cooperation, and fostering innovation. This important collaboration has helped contribute to addressing key challenges of our time including, but not limited to, data standards, satellite calibration, interactions with the private sector, and key applications in disaster response, climate observation, sustainable development, resource management and food security. This presentation will describe the workings of CEOS, and also highlight Australia’s strategic interests and focal areas during the Chair period.

ABSTRACT. The ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs & Their Applications (CUAVA) was established in December 2017 to help train and create an Australian workforce in sustainable, advanced manufacturing, space and UAV industries of national importance. Its current missions include CUAVA-2, a 6U CubeSat launched in 2024 as a follow-on to CUAVA-1 with hyperspectral imaging, GPS-reflectometry, and radiation sensing, and WaratahSeed-1, a multi-payload rideshare satellite providing rapid flight heritage for Australian partners. The CUAVA-2 6U CubeSat and the parallel WaratahSeed-1 rideshare have given us a rare, end-to-end look at small-sat resilience under real radiation stress, with clear outcomes that changed how we design and operate. Within days on-orbit, CUAVA-2’s primary SD card failed- almost certainly radiation-induced - but an autonomous switchover to the backup image preserved core bus operations. After S-band commissioning, the payload computer showed persistent non-responsiveness and lowered power draw, preventing operation of the hyperspectral imager and GPS-reflectometry payloads; nevertheless, the radiation counter has remained healthy and has returned continuous space-weather data with strong South Atlantic Anomaly signatures and day-to-day variability. WaratahSeed-1, by contrast, has maintained stable multi-payload operations and delivered useful science and engineering datasets, underscoring the value of diversified rideshare missions. From these on-orbit results we draw three practical lessons for robust small-sat programs. Firstly, redundancy matters. COTS SD cards are a common single point of failure, so use radiation-tolerant primary storage and a fully rehearsed, autonomous image-failover path. Secondly, we shall design for isolation and graceful degradation. We recommend that the payload computer shall be designed on independent power/reset planes, tighten FDIR hooks across EPS, communications, and payload control, and automate a “safe-science” mode so at least one low-power instrument continues to deliver mission value. Lastly, we need to assume scarce downlink, especially during Launch and Early Operations (LEOP) and contingencies. Having pre-script recoveries (image swaps, reboot trees, detumble-and-commission), practise them with HWIL and fault injection, and plan for imperfect TLEs and sparse passes will greatly increase the chance to mission success. We will detail these lessons and the verification approaches that prioritise operational realism, enabling missions to sustain value even when primary payloads don’t go to plan.

ABSTRACT. The Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal (SpIRIT) mission represents a major step in Australia’s capability to design and operate sophisticated scientific spacecraft, integrating advanced instrumentation and innovative on-board technologies within a 6U CubeSat. Developed by The University of Melbourne with support from the Australian Space Agency and in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency, SpIRIT was launched into a 510 km Sun-synchronous orbit in late 2023. The primary scientific payload, HERMES, is a gamma and X-ray detector covering the 3 keV–2 MeV range for detection of high-energy astrophysical transients and studies of their variability at millisecond timescales.

After nearly two years of operations, SpIRIT continues to provide valuable data on payload performance, spacecraft health, and system behaviour in orbit. The mission’s active thermal control system—combining a Stirling-cycle cryocooler and deployable radiator—supports the reduction of instrumental background noise on HERMES, while also serving to evaluate the feasibility of cryogenic cooling for infrared focal plane arrays on future CubeSats. The hybrid communications subsystem, designed to complement conventional ground passes with a low-latency satellite-phone link, has the capability to support rapid event reporting and remote commanding. The AI-enabled visible and infrared cameras are operational and are being used for the purpose of testing autonomous feature recognition and onboard image prioritisation, supporting the development of machine-learning-driven processing pipelines for small spacecraft.

This talk will present an overview of SpIRIT’s mission design, current in-orbit status, and early scientific results, along with lessons learned from developing and operating a multi-partner CubeSat with a complex instrument suite. It will conclude by discussing how SpIRIT’s on-board technologies and operational experience are informing the next generation of compact scientific instruments.

ABSTRACT. Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) data underpin almost every aspect of Australia’s modern economy — from aviation, maritime, and road transport to energy networks, defence operations, and digital communications. As reliance on space-based PNT deepens, so too does exposure to interference, spoofing, and signal degradation, making trust and resilience fundamental engineering priorities.

This presentation explores how PNT resilience must be engineered from orbit to operations — ensuring integrity, continuity, and verification across the entire space–ground–user system. It examines how vulnerabilities arise in satellite architectures, timing distribution networks, and user equipment, and how space-based engineering, sensor fusion, and quantum-enabled timing can mitigate these risks.

By treating trust as a measurable, engineered attribute rather than an assumption, this work highlights pathways toward sovereign, resilient, and assured PNT capability that enable Australia’s critical systems to operate confidently, even in contested or degraded space environments.

ABSTRACT. A brief description of the Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture/Habitation (ALEPH) project is presented with focus on the first mission of the “ALEPH-1” payload. With a total mass ~500 g, this small payload comprises of a control module and a separate biological module containing selected biological samples. ALEPH1 is planned to be delivered to the near-equatorial lunar surface fitted to the Intuitive Machines (IM) Nova-C lander in their IM-3 mission scheduled for the second half of 2026. As well as a payload technical overview, this presentation outlines the ALEPH-1 mission objectives and constraints. It provides comments on the technical implementation of the ALEPH-1 payload including unique aspects associated with incorporation of the biological samples.

ABSTRACT. Electrostatic dust-cleaning with low-energy electron beams is a promising countermeasure against regolith contamination expected during sustained Lunar surface operations. Laboratory demonstrations, however, typically neglect the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) component of solar radiation that dominates photoelectric charging on the Lunar dayside. Here we quantify, for the first time, the influence of a sun-like VUV spectrum on electron-beam-driven dust removal from spacesuit fabrics. Beta-cloth samples deliberately contaminated with OPRLJSCN Lunar Mare simulant were exposed to (i) a thermionic electron beam (30 μA cm−2, ≤ 120 eV) and (ii) VUV fluxes generated by a mixed-gas 13.56 MHz RF plasma lamp that reproduces the solar spectrum in the 115 – 160 nm range. Three illumination regimes were tested: no VUV (dark), lunar-equivalent VUV (0.3 mW cm−2), and elevated VUV (5 mW cm−2). The inclusion of VUV photons significantly lowered the threshold beam current density and energy to initiate dust mobilisation, with the filament bias needed to initiate lift-off fell from –93 V (dark) to –52 V (lunar-equivalent VUV) and –37 V (elevated VUV), while the required beam current density dropped by up to two orders of magnitude. Dust removal efficiency improved from 76% after 72 s (dark) to 85% in 48 s (lunar VUV) and 95% in only 9 s under strong illumination. Furthermore, the mean particle size reduced with increasing VUV flux from 29 μm (brushing) to 16 μm (dark). Results indicate that the Solar VUV can be exploited to reduce power requirements and and cleaning time for electron-beam dust mitigation, and motivates inclusion of realistic illumination environments in future mitigation trials.

ABSTRACT. To date, the physical texture and polymorphic structure of frozen volatiles like water-ice in lunar polar cold traps has not yet been properly defined, and neither has its geotechnical nor have its thermophysical properties. Given growing interest in utilising lunar-derived ices on the surface and in cis-lunar space, various methods to simulate icy lunar regolith have been used resulting in materials with strengths ranging from hard concrete to weak snow. This has direct implications for the in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) of ices on the Moon, as hardware tests require high-fidelity simulants to ensure validity. To address this gap, this article summarises experimental and empirical studies which characterised the internal microstructure and geotechnical behaviour of four different simulants using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and cone penetration tests (CPT). The novel outcomes of this work comprised: (i) construction of a dusty thermal vacuum chamber for controlled vapor deposition of ice in regolith simulants, allowing the first measurements of their internal microstructure and mechanical strength; (ii) demonstration that the widely used “ice-cemented” simulants formed by freezing water–regolith mixtures exhibit strengths several orders of magnitude above Apollo in-situ values; (iii) indication that excavation and trafficability of icy regolith within lunar cold traps may be less demanding than previously thought; and (iv) proposal of a conceptual model linking ice polymorphism, morphology, and strength to formation processes governed primarily by temperature and age.

ABSTRACT. Future concepts for crewed Mars missions have included robots in their planning to enhance human exploration or perform construction or logistic assistance. In this work we tested a small analogue rover, in Mars analogue environments situated in Ladakh, India as part of Spaceward Bound 2025. The four-wheeled, solar powered vehicle was built to occupy one cubic foot of payload volume, facilitating inclusion as a secondary payload for surface missions or easily transported to an exploration site by an astronaut. The rover, “BitsnBytes”, was equipped with an imaging camera, as well as a 14 band spectrometer and weather sensor to return scientific data on the geology and rarefied atmosphere of Ladakh. The skid-steered drive system with 14 cm diameter wheels were designed to maximise manoeuvrability on geologic terrains analogous to Mars. Field testing of BitsnBytes was conducted in mountainous regions at Lake Tso Khar and near Leh, Ladakh’s provincial capital, on dry sand, indurated regolith and rocky terrain analogous to surfaces found on Mars. BitsNbytes operated successfully at altitude, able to negotiate slopes of up to 20o in mountainous terrains and 15o in loose sand, despite its small size. These mobility results have demonstrated that BitsNbytes will be capable of undertaking remote site exploration of Martian sites of interest to planetary scientists and mission planners.

ABSTRACT. Impact craters are dominant landforms across the surface of the Moon and Mars with implications for science, exploration, and resources. First-hand familiarity with the geomorphic, geological, geophysical and geomechanical expression and environmental consequences of terrestrial impact craters is essential for those developing exploration and resource extraction technologies. Unlike on the Moon and Mars, impact craters and astroblemes are relatively rare on Earth, and few researchers and students are exposed to them during their education and careers. Here we propose a number of impact features in Australia and India that we consider of particular value for the space science, education, and engineering communities. In Australia these are: Henbury (cluster of 10-180 m craters), Wolfe Creek (800 m), Foelsche (6 km), Lawn Hill (22 km), Gosses Bluff (30 km), Shoemaker (30 km), and the Acraman ejecta layer. In India we propose all four impact features currently known: Luna (1.5-1.8 km), Lonar (1.8 km), Dhala (3 km), and Ramgarh (10 km). Together, these features illustrate differing target materials, crater fills, exposure levels, ejecta preservation, remote signatures, and geomorphic expression for planetary scientists. Preserved crater fills and hydrothermal systems are of astrobiological interest, as is the effect of the craters on local micro and meso-scale environments. Impact features are usually not included in student field trips. Most of the features named here are accessible and would expose students to a wide range of impact features. Potential engineering trials (tools, suits, vehicles) are limited by cultural and conservations status of these features, as well as on site vegetation. Investigations into resource and geotechnical aspects of these features may be restricted to geophysical studies, outcrop documentation, and small-scale sampling for the same reasons. These geological features in Australia and India appear to have significant utility in advancing space competences of both countries, especially through collaboration.

ABSTRACT. Astronauts on long-duration missions face not only physical demands but also psychological stressors such as isolation, confinement, monotony, and sensory deprivation. These challenges can diminish wellbeing, impair cognition, and jeopardise performance. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a potential countermeasure by creating immersive, interactive environments that promote calmness, emotional regulation, and psychological resilience.

This research applies a human-centred, interdisciplinary, and co-design approach grounded in Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) to develop a VR intervention for use in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments, ensuring the system addresses not only content but also usability, accessibility, and inclusivity across diverse contexts. This interdisciplinary foundation enables the VR intervention to be both therapeutically meaningful and operationally adaptable.

Grounded in an interdisciplinary design process, the project combines evidence from psychology, healthcare, design, art and cultural studies, space science, and HCI. A systematic review of the use of VR in healthcare, especially in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, confirms feasibility, safety, and anxiety reduction in these patients. This offers transferable insights into managing isolation under extreme conditions. These findings mirror challenges in space and underscore the need for adaptable, personalised solutions. Complementing this, analogue mission surveys in Poland (Lunar Analog Colony 1) and cross-sectional surveys with ICE/ICC professionals identified key stressors such as sleep disturbance, disorientation, sensory overload, and loneliness. Together, these diverse inputs highlight the importance of interventions that are calming, personalised, and intuitive, while also pointing to the need for solutions adaptable across clinical and spaceflight contexts.

Drawing from clinical and spaceflight insights, we are co-designing a VR prototype with developers, healthcare professionals, and space psychologists, ensuring alignment with user needs, operational constraints, and HCI principles. This staged interdisciplinary methodology ensures the intervention is evidence-based, context-sensitive, and adaptable. By translating lessons from healthcare and analogue studies into astronaut applications, this project advances VR as a scalable psychological countermeasure to sustain wellbeing and morale in long-duration space missions.

ABSTRACT. The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) contributes to advancing microgravity and space-related research in Australia by providing open access to state-of-the-art micro and nanofabrication equipment across its national network. Established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), ANFF supports both academia and industry through expert engineering assistance, training, and tailored fabrication capabilities essential for developing next-generation technologies.

ANFF has enabled a wide range of space research initiatives, ranging from the manufacturing of optical fibres on the international space station, microfluidics devices for monitoring astronaut health to solar panels for satellites. At Swinburne, ANFF also hosts a suite of microgravity reactors. These reactors simulate microgravity on the lab bench using random positioning machines (RPM). These reactors are currently being utilised by users investigating the effects of microgravity on biofilms, T-cells and endometrial cells. This presentation will demonstrate the capabilities, expertise and types of experiments available for space research through ANFF.

ABSTRACT. Rationale: Space travel presents many risks to astronauts including, microgravity as well as launch and re-entry, radiation and extravehicular activities. It is known that gravity strongly influences the structure of the lung as seen in the heterogeneity of ventilation and perfusion which becomes uniform in microgravity. While changes in lung volumes occur in microgravity, efficient gas exchange remains and the lungs perform as they would on Earth; however, little is known about the cellular response to microgravity. In addition to spaceflight and thus real microgravity, recent advances in this field have led to the production of devices such as clinostats and random positioning machines which simulate microgravity on the ground for in vitro experiments. The rotational component of simulated microgravity introduces many challenges to in vitro experiments, including the requirement of a full culture vessels, fluid movement, oxygen delivery, shear stress and cell adherence which all need to be considered in the development of cell models.

Methods: Bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, alveolar epithelial cell line A549 and monocyte cell line THP-1 were cultured in T175 (BEAS-2B, A549) or T75 (THP-1) flasks. At 80% confluency, the media was replaced with quiescent media. After 24 hours, the cells were collected, counted and seeded into 1.75ml tubes at 1.5 x 105 cells/ml in quiescent media. The tubes were completely filled with media to avoid bubble formation and shear stress. Half of the BEAS-2B, A549 and THP-1 cells were attached to a random positioning machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity. The remaining tubes were placed on the base of the RPM to account for any vibrational effects. After 24- and 48-hours supernatant was collected for ELISA and LDH assays. The cells were fixed and stained with DAPI for visualisation.

Results: BEAS-2B and A549 self-assemble into complex multilayered spheroid-like structures under simulated microgravity conditions. The LDH assay revealed that the cell viability of BEAS-2B, A549 and THP-1 cells was maintained throughout simulated microgravity exposure (p<0.05, n=3). Simulated microgravity induced a trend towards decreased constitutive production of IL-8 and IL-6 by BEAS-2B cells, however despite the trend, baseline IL-8 and IL-6 release by BEAS-2B and A549 was comparable to baseline release in adherent monoculture, suggesting the model design does not induce unwanted cellular stress. TNFα was used as a potent inducer of inflammation to determine if the cells were responsive to stimuli in this model. IL-8 and IL-6 release by BEAS-2B and A549 cells and IL-8 release by THP-1 cells was significantly increased following TNFα treatment under gravity and microgravity conditions, indicating cell responsiveness. Following TNFα exposure, A549 cells release less IL-6 while THP-1 cells release less IL-8 in microgravity compared to normal gravity (p<0.05, n=4), indicating that microgravity may be impacting cell signalling pathways.

Conclusion: This optimised and validated non-adherent lung model can be used further to investigate the impacts of microgravity on lung cells at a cellular and molecular level in different contexts including viral infection. Preliminary results show differential response to rhinovirus infection under simulated microgravity compared to normal gravity.

ABSTRACT. Understanding radiation effects across the sub-cellular to human length scale is crucial to enabling space exploration and establishment of human outposts on the Moon and Mars. However, due to the extreme differences between the environmental radiation on Earth with respect to that of the Moon, Mars, and open-space, it is challenging to assess the impact of space radiation on short and longer term time scales in biological systems through experimental methods alone [1]. The Geant4-DNA project (http://geant4-dna.org/) was initiated by the European Space Agency in 2001 with one clear goal: to provide an standardised open access software framework for the simulation of ionising radiation early biological damage in cellular systems from space exploration. Through integration into Geant4 (https://geant4.org/), CERN and KEK Monte Carlo radiation transport modelling tool of choice, Geant4-DNA has made a wide variety of different experimentally bench-marked physics, physico-chemical, and chemical models freely available to researchers across the globe [2-5]. In 2023 the primary goal of the Geant4-DNA project came to fruition with the release of “molecularDNA” [6]: the first open-source user-friendly experimentally validated simulation platform for the modelling of biological radiation effects in space at the DNA and cellular level.

This presentation will provide a brief overview of Geant4-DNA and highlight the functionality of “molecularDNA” to simulate the biological effects of space radiation at the DNA and cellular level. In particular, it will highlight “molecularDNA”'s capability of simulating the early stage direct/indirect DNA damage induction and complexity classification in human cells [6]. Finally, it will close out with a summary of Geant4-DNA collaboration's on-going global effort to experimentally validate "molecularDNA" in a wide variety of different radiation environments.

[1] D. Durante and F. A. Cucinotta. "Physical basis of radiation protection in space travel", Rev. of Mod. Phys. 83(4): 1245 (2011).

[2] S. Incerti et al. "The Geant4-DNA project", Int. J. Model. Simul. Sci. Comput. 1 (2010).

[3] S. Incerti et al. "Comparison of Geant4 very low energy cross section models with experimental data in water", Med. Phys. 37 (2010).

[4] M. A. Bernal et al. "Track structure modeling in liquid water: A review of the Geant4-DNA very low energy extension of the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit", Phys. Med. 31 (2015).

[5] S. Incerti et al. "Geant4-DNA example applications for track structure simulations in liquid water: a report from the Geant4-DNA Project", Med. Phys. 45 (2018).

[6] K. P. Chatzipapas et al. "Simulation of DNA damage using Geant4‐DNA: an overview of the “molecularDNA” example application", Prec. Radiat. Oncol. 7 (2023).

ABSTRACT. Vertical farming (VF) is a sustainable approach for producing fresh food in space and extreme terrestrial conditions on Earth. NASA’s Veggie and Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) systems on the International Space Station (ISS) have shown that crops can be successfully grown in microgravity when environmental factors, such as temperature, humidity, light, and CO₂, are carefully controlled. Digital twins (DT) technology is the key to the digitalisation of agriculture and has emerged as a promising tool for improving Earth and space farming systems. Decision-making is fundamental for the autonomy and effectiveness of DT. A Multi-Agent Generative System (MAGS) is a modern approach for autonomous DT, as proclaimed, e.g., by Amazon. MAGS enhance digital twins by employing multiple humanoid agents, merging human expertise profiles with computer agents. These are responsible for a specific task, such as environment, forecasting, growth quality assurance, intervention strategies, resource optimisation, and compliance. These agents work with each other, based on performance functions defined by artificial intelligence (AI) and a governance workflow. This project has developed a MAGS-based DT, a virtual model for decision-making on lettuce growth in VF for ‘Plants for Space’. AI-generated multiple humanoid agent profiles for lettuce-VF-DT, with five multiple humanoid agents have been developed. A performance function (mathematical equation) has been finalised for the humanoid agents to optimise plant growth with cost efficiency, quality preservation, environmental stewardship and disease prevention. The lettuce-VF-MAGS biomass study defined the performance function as: Maximise: Φ(t) = α₁.Y(t) + α₂.Q(t) + α₃.E(t) + α₄.R(t) + α₅.T(t) Y(t) = Biomass yield performance, Q(t) = Quality consistency score; E(t) = Energy efficiency, R(t) = Resource utilisation efficiency; T(t) = Time efficiency; α₁ = 0.35, α₂ = 0.20, α₃ = 0.20, α₄ = 0.15, α₅ = 0.10.

Five humanoid agents are organised in a governance workflow, involving four layers: data acquisition, data analysis, compliance, and decision-making. By collecting real-time sensor data (e.g., temperature, humidity, CO₂, and light) from the VF, real-time sensing of plant growth will be done. The leaf area visualised by camera images is converted to binarised data (black and white) that is analysed by Python software. The analysed data go to the XMPro platform, where the MAGS-based DT is embedded. The humanoid agents will work on the data following the performance function under the governance flow and then make a decision on plant growth. The study turns the ML outcome into a decision, which the human operator of the vertical farm can accept, revise, or reject. We are underway, engaging the humanoid agents in hybrid dialogue using integrated natural language (NL) and structured agent communication languages (ACL). This facilitates scalable, human-comparable reasoning, coordination, and negotiation. As a net outcome, food production, opportunities for higher resource efficiency and sustainability of vertical farms are identified in climate-controlled environments on Earth and with an outlook for long-term human space exploration.

ABSTRACT. INTRODUCTION: Human factors are critical to mission success; however, the impact of long-duration spaceflight on procedural performance remains poorly understood. Astronauts face physiological, cognitive, and psychological stressors that may impair the safe execution of surgical or anaesthetic interventions, tasks increasingly recognised as mission-critical. Although NASA’s Human Research Roadmap highlights altered sensorimotor and vestibular function as a key risk, no systematic synthesis has mapped how these hazards affect procedural readiness. To address this gap, this study aimed to systematically map the existing evidence and identify countermeasures to enhance surgical performance in space. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted between November 2024 and June 2025 by the International Space Surgery Research Consortium, using PRISMA guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and grey literature sources, e.g., NASA repositories, Google Scholar, with pre-defined keywords. In total, 2264 studies were screened, of which 368 met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted on physiological, cognitive, and psychological changes relevant to procedural performance, as well as proposed countermeasures. RESULTS: Spaceflight was found to induce sensorimotor dysfunction, impaired tactile feedback, and visual changes, including Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome and radiation-induced cataracts. In parallel, cognitive deficits, such as reduced attention, executive dysfunction, and impaired working memory, were consistently reported. These were further compounded by psychological stressors, including isolation, circadian rhythm disruption, and fatigue. Such stressors also impair team dynamics and interpersonal relationships, further compromising collaboration in high-stakes settings. Together, these factors collectively threaten dexterity, decision-making, and teamwork during critical interventions. To mitigate these risks, a range of countermeasures has been identified, including haptic feedback tools, closed surgical systems, cognitive load management, stress inoculation, and team-based crisis resource management. DISCUSSION: The review findings highlight that, beyond individual skill, procedural safety in space also relies on teamwork, communication, and resource management. Therefore, resilience can only be achieved through integrated countermeasures that combine haptic tools, closed surgical systems, cognitive load management, stress inoculation, and team-based crisis resource management. Moreover, to ensure these strategies are effective, autonomous procedural capability must be validated not only in simulation but also through high-fidelity analogs and in-flight testing, thereby addressing the critical knowledge gaps identified by NASA’s Human Research Roadmap.

ABSTRACT. Australia has a new and expanding space sector following government directives to reach 20,000 new jobs in the sector by 2030. The 2021-2030 Decadal Plan for Australian Space Science identified that we currently lack the scientific, engineering and technical skills capacity to support our space needs. So, how can we upskill our workforce and develop our own sovereign capabilities? In this talk, I will identify lessons in past space mission management and how scientists and technologists can work together to build capacity for a new era in Australian space exploration. I will draw on examples from the Lunar and Mars Exploration Programs, and identify areas of potential growth and leadership for Australia as we emerge in a new and growing sector.

ABSTRACT. This paper presents a conceptual and strategic framework—envisioned as a UX/UI-centric digital platform—designed to support a broad spectrum of stakeholders in developing space-related business cases in Australia. The framework caters to individuals, academia, startups, SMEs, local/state/federal government agencies, multinational corporations, and international organizations seeking to engage in space activities. It encompasses all major domains of space endeavor – from satellite services, space technology and Earth observations to exploration, human spaceflight, space medicine, navigation, communication, and sensing – aligning with the diverse themes of ASRC 2025.

Key features include streamlined navigation of Australia’s complex regulatory landscape, providing guidance on licensing, permits, approvals and compliance processes across agencies and jurisdictions. The framework demystifies requirements involving the Australian Space Agency (for launch and return licensing) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (for spectrum allocation), as well as international coordination through bodies like the ITU and UNOOSA, alongside local planning and environmental regulators. It also maps existing resources, grant programs, collaborative networks, incentives, and national databases, enabling space actors to easily identify support mechanisms and partnership opportunities.

Furthermore, the platform outlines pathways for education and workforce development by aggregating information on training, mentorship, industry events, job boards, and professional associations. The framework analyzes key enablers (e.g. government initiatives, international partnerships) and constraints (e.g. regulatory hurdles, funding gaps) facing Australian and international stakeholders in space projects. Informed by the author’s research on LEO–GEO satellite network integration and space-based telecommunications infrastructure, the framework adopts an integrated, multi-layered approach that bridges technical and administrative domains. By consolidating fragmented and bureaucratic processes into a single accessible platform, this initiative aims to demystify Australia’s space innovation ecosystem and foster easier, more equitable participation.

ABSTRACT. This paper will use comparative data from the 2017 IAC in Adelaide and the 2025 IAC in Sydney to make comment about the growth and health of the Australian space sector in the past eight years. The numbers and types of exhibitor will be compared as will the areas of display space. To this quantitative analysis will be added qualitative comment about the impact of particular locations in the exhibition. Finally, account will be taken of ministerial and other announcements made in Sydney especially those that focus on new investments in the Australian space sector. Tentative conclusions will be drawn on the basis of the evidence presented together with suggestions for future emphasis in terms of policy and developments in capability.

ABSTRACT. The Australian Space Industry Capability Database (ASICD), maintained by the Space of Australia, provides the most comprehensive directory of national organisational yet been analytically leveraged for comparative sector insights. Previous work, some of presented at IAC 2025 in Sydney, demonstrates the potential of transforming ASICD into intelligence. Building on that foundation, this paper presents new findings with a capability comparisons. The methodology follows the CRISP-DM framework, including structured data ingestion and schema control, normalisation, de-duplication, binary encoding of declared capabilities, exploratory analysis, and validation through clustering indices and sensitivity checks. Application of this approach highlights how capabilities vary across states. Preliminary results suggest distinct concentrations of competencies, with some states showing relative strengths in upstream activities such as manufacturing and mission integration, others in downstream applications including analytics and Earth observation, and others in niche areas such as launch or space situational awareness. Organisations with cross-cutting capabilities are also observed, underscoring their role in linking regional ecosystems. By focusing on cross-state capability comparisons, this study provides new insights into regional differentiations, convergences, and potential gaps across Australia’s space sector. The methodology is generalisable to other organisational datasets and offers a foundation for targeted investment, collaboration strategies, and coordinated national growth.

ABSTRACT. Australia is still finding its footing as an emerging space economy, and building a sustainable space workforce is critical to earning trust in a rapidly maturing global space industry. This paper explores how targeted skill development programs by the Australian Youth Aerospace Association can bridge the so-called “valley of death” between fresh graduates and mid-career professionals in the Australian space sector. By focusing on the development of all-rounder graduates through industry engagement and targeted learning opportunities, the Astra Program and the Australian Universities Rocketry Competition help prepare youth for the evolving needs of the industry by offering rare and valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange between students and their prospective employers. For young Australians, recognising that they are both valued and actively supported by the industry is crucial; this sense of belonging fosters confidence and resilience as they prepare to confront complex, high-stakes challenges, many of which are new to Australia and require innovative approaches. In this environment, industry-supported initiatives not only accelerate capability building but also encourage commitment and collaboration, ensuring that emerging talent is ready to tackle unprecedented tasks and drive national progress in the space sector.

ABSTRACT. Space radiation poses a critical hazard for long-duration human spaceflight, with few effective countermeasures beyond physical shielding. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying radiation resistance may inform the development of new protective strategies for astronauts and improve radiation-based therapies on Earth. Trichoplax adhaerens, one of the simplest and most ancient multicellular animals, exhibits remarkable resilience to extreme environmental stress, possesses conserved DNA damage response pathways including the key regulator p53, and shows apparent resistance to cancer.

This project investigates how T.adhaerens responds to ionizing radiation relevant to space environments, with three key aims: (1) characterise stress and DNA damage responses following exposure; (2) determine the role of p53 in mediating radiation tolerance and repair, including through experimental enhancement and inhibition of its activity; and (3) explore p53’s involvement in radiation-induced bystander effects, where unexposed neighbouring cells exhibit stress responses mediated by intercellular signaling.

We combine controlled X-ray irradiation at La Trobe University, high-energy, high-LET radiation at ANSTO’s ANTARES beamline, genetic manipulation of p53, and high-resolution immunofluorescence and confocal imaging to assess molecular and cellular responses. Preliminary findings reveal dose-dependent activation of p53 and early insights into DNA repair coordination, offering promising leads for understanding how extreme radiation tolerance is achieved.

By linking conserved genetic pathways to remarkable radioresistance in an ancient model organism, this work seeks to uncover evolutionary strategies of radiation survival, informing both the design of protective measures for human spaceflight and innovative approaches to radiotherapy on Earth.

ABSTRACT. Astronauts experience several adverse health consequences that must be overcome in order for long-duration space missions to be possible in the future. These advancements in space medicine require a better understanding of how mammalian cells sense and respond to gravitational changes. This study investigated the role of mechanosensors in mediating cellular responses in different gravitational conditions using a Random Positioning Machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity. To allow for cell culture gas exchange and prevent leakage while attached to the rotating RPM stage, a re-usable custom insert was developed to be used as a lid on the well plate. HEK-293 cells were separately transfected with recombinant plasmids containing the gene encoding the non-selective cation channel Piezo1 and the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) reporter gene. Along with an untransfected control, the transfected HEK-293 cells were cultured under simulated microgravity and normal gravity conditions for 48 hours. Cell morphology and expression of fluorescence were assessed. While statistically significant results could not be obtained, qualitative observations highlighted several aspects of the experimental approach that may have placed additional stress on the cells. The transfection process appeared to introduce additional cellular stress for the Piezo1-expressing cells, indicated respectively by their reduced confluence and abnormal fluorescence when compared to the untransfected and GFP-expressing cells. Technical challenges associated with the custom lid inserts, including their insertion into the well plate, contamination issues, and the formation of air bubbles, likely contributed additional mechanical stressors. Collectively, these stressors may have impacted normal cellular functions and thus prevented microgravity specific responses from being observed.

ABSTRACT. The rapid expansion of low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations and inter-satellite links (ISLs) has transformed space communications, enabling high-throughput, low-latency networks that support critical civilian and military operations. However, the distributed architecture, physical inaccessibility, and long operational lifetimes of these systems expose them to novel cybersecurity threats. Existing countermeasures, encryption, anomaly detection, anti-jamming, and redundancy, are often deployed in isolation, leaving systems vulnerable to multi-vector and cascading attacks. This paper addresses this gap by proposing a Hybrid Cybersecurity Threat Model (HCTM) that integrates cryptographic, behavioural, architectural, and physical defences into a unified, adaptive framework tailored to ISLs. The study employs a hybrid simulation environment using NS-3 and OMNeT++ to model a constellation of 200 satellites with mixed RF and optical ISLs. The HCTM incorporates post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for scalable key exchange, quantum key distribution (QKD) for high-value backbone links, federated anomaly detection coordinated with zero-trust enforcement, and physical-layer hardening via adaptive beamforming and optical filtering. Three representative attack scenarios were simulated: RF jamming, over-the-air (OTA) firmware tampering, and routing manipulation. Results show that the HCTM substantially outperforms baseline systems and prior approaches. Packet loss under jamming was reduced to 12%, compared with more than 90% in baseline conditions. OTA firmware tampering, a widely reported vulnerability in small satellite projects, was prevented in 100% of attempted attacks. Routing manipulation detection improved to 94% accuracy with a 4% false positive rate, significantly outperforming baseline anomaly detection. These improvements highlight the operational feasibility of cross-layer integration and the scalability–resilience balance offered by the PQC–QKD hybrid. The HCTM contributes three key advances: (i) cross-layer adaptive feedback loops to prevent cascading vulnerabilities, (ii) a hybrid cryptographic architecture resolving the PQC–QKD trade-off, and (iii) operationalisation of federated anomaly detection in ISLs. Limitations include computational overhead, bandwidth costs, QKD precision, and adversarial ML risks. Nevertheless, the findings provide empirical justification for updating satellite security standards to incorporate integrated frameworks. The HCTM offers a pragmatic, resilient pathway toward securing next-generation satellite constellations in an increasingly contested space domain.

ABSTRACT. The atmosphere of Venus is composed of over 95% CO2 [1]. When CO2 absorbs UV photons it splits into CO and O. Production of CO2 from CO and O to balance the photolysis is believed to be catalysed by chlorine chemistry [2,3]. This chlorine chemistry is thought to originate from photolysis of the HCl present in the atmosphere; however, observations of HCl and ClO do not agree with model simulations [4,5]. This suggests our understanding of chlorine chemistry in Venus' atmosphere remains incomplete. Our objective in this study is to investigate HCl and ClO in Venus’ atmosphere through model simulations [e.g., 6] exploring the impact of varying model parameters, such as the HCl photolysis rate and CO2 extinction cross section, to gain deeper insights into the chlorine chemistry that may be occurring in Venus' middle atmosphere.

References [1] U. von Zahn, et al., in Venus, D. Hunten et al. (Eds.), U Arizona Press (1983). [2] V.A. Krasnopolsky, et al., Nature, 292 610 (1981). [3] Y.L. Yung and W.B. DeMore, Icarus, 51 199 (1982). [4] B.J. Sandor and R.T. Clancy, Icarus, 220 618 (2012). [5] B.J. Sandor and R.T. Clancy, Icarus, 313 15 (2018). [6] X. Zhang, et al., Icarus, 217 714 (2012).

ABSTRACT. Astronauts face considerable health challenges during long-duration space missions, including disruptions to the gut microbiome, leading to downstream effects on immunity and mental wellbeing. This research considers yoghurt as a probiotic-rich solution to improve gut health. Using a passive experimental design, we aim to determine if yoghurt could be fermented in space as a continuous, fresh probiotic source. Our program - the Swinburne Haileybury in Space Experiment (SHINE) - sent 36 vials of inoculated milk to the International Space Station (ISS). The vials were prepared by Rhodium Scientific at the Kennedy Space center, as part of the Rhodium Australia Probiotic Challenge, launched via SpaceX-24 on December 24, 2021. Each vial contained 3mL of either full cream or soy milk, and were inoculated with 1 capsule (~0.4g) of either the probiotic ‘Nature’s Plus Acidophilus’ (containing Lactobacillus acidophilus) or ‘Natural Nutra Probiotic Quattro’ (with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus). All vials contained food grade propylene glycol as an antifreeze. This passive experiment involved four controls which were kept frozen throughout the space mission, and experimental vials that were thawed once in orbit and incubated at ambient temperature for 48-72 hours then frozen.

Preliminary tests were performed on controls for Earth gravity and simulated microgravity using a Random Positioning Machine (RPM), to refine experimental setup and analysis on replaceable samples, and to ensure future tests on space yoghurt optimize the limited volume available. To estimate the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), pH and colony counts were conducted, and a DNA extraction method was successfully developed to directly isolate bacteria from yoghurt for sequencing. Following funding from the Space Technology and Industry Institute Seed Funding grant, we plan to commence research with Metabolomics Australia on the space samples to analyse their metabolite profile. We will continue DNA extraction work, using qPCR to precisely quantify each of the four strains in space, earth and simulated microgravity control yoghurt. RNA-seq will be performed for each condition to understand the effect of microgravity on gene expression.

ABSTRACT. The Planetary Radio Interferometric and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) is one of the eleven experiments contributing to the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission. The JUICE spacecraft is a European Space Agency mission to study Jupiter’s icy moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Currently undergoing an eight-year cruise phase, the University of Tasmania is conducting radio science experiments of the spacecraft using ground-based radio telescopes as part of PRIDE. These include measurements of interplanetary plasma scintillation for the study of space weather, and VLBI imaging experiments for refining the spacecraft’s ephemerides.

In this presentation, we discuss the contribution of the University of Tasmania to conducting PRIDE VLBI imaging experiments of the JUICE spacecraft. We detail the correlation process using the Distributed FX (DiFX) software correlator, and the imaging process using the Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA). Images produced from this processing pipeline and the spacecraft ephemerides determined from this analysis will be shown. The potential application of these images to refining orbital modelling of the JUICE spacecraft using the TU Delft Astrodynamics Toolbox (Tudat) will be discussed.

ABSTRACT. The rotation rate of small Near-Earth Asteroids (NEA) can provide important information about their internal composition. For example, there is potential to distinguish between ‘rubble pile’ and monolithic rock where fast rotators require sufficient tensile strength to not break apart. Such information can contribute to improved characterisation of the NEA population in addition to potential Earth impact consequence assessment. Asteroid rotation rates are typically estimated from multiple light curves sequences measured by optical telescopes. Earth-based radar can contribute very accurate measurement of the Doppler spread of rotating asteroids but translating this to a rotation rate requires an estimate of object size and shape. This is sometimes available if radar transmits a coded waveform to measure delay-Doppler images. This work explores an alternative approach of estimating asteroid rotation rates through similarity of the Doppler or delay information at different times. The primary method employs a time-Doppler image of the varying Doppler signature, and a similar time-delay image can be used, if available. The former data is applicable to estimate asteroid rotation rates from data collected by the Southern Hemisphere Asteroid Radar Program (SHARP) [1] that uses the facilities of the NASA Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC), the CSIRO Narrabri radio astronomy Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the University of Tasmania VLBI antennas at Hobart, Katherine and Ceduna (UTAS). These form a bistatic radar system transmitting a single radio tone at CDSCC and receiving at the other sites for measurements that include asteroid Doppler spread. The distribution of the University of Tasmania VLBI antennas, measuring the Doppler spread at small relative delays, may enable fine rotation information in high signal to noise observations that could provide also estimates of the asteroid spin vector. The study reported here is focused on the 2024 MK asteroid observations in June 2024 that passed within 0.77 Lunar distances and has a diameter estimated between 120 - 260 m. Optical data suggests it is a non-principal axis rotator with rotation periods of 0.50 hr and 0.37 hr or possibly 0.37 hr and 1.34 hr. Radar observations were conducted with CDSCC transmitting and the Australian antennas receiving in addition to CDSCC receiving a coded waveform transmitted by the Goldstone Solar System Radar (part of the Deep Space Network). The later data set provides high signal to noise data for understanding and potentially verifying the time-Doppler technique prior to applying it to the other collections[2]. Initial results will be presented.

1. C. Benson, J. Reynolds, N. J. Stacy, L. A. Benner, P. G. Edwards, G. Baines, R. Boyce, J. D. Giorgini, J. S. Jao, G. Martinez, M. A. Slade, L. P. Teitelbaum, A. Anabtawi, D. Kahan, K. Oudrhiri, C. J. Philips, J. B. Stevens, E. Kruzins and T. J. W. Lazio, "First Detection of Two Near-Earth Asteroids with a Southern Hemisphere Planetary Radar System," Radio Science, vol. 52, pp. 1344-1351, 2017.

2. N. Stacy, S. Horiuchi, G. Molera Calves, E. Kruzins, E. Peters, P. Edwards, C. Phillips, J. Stevens, L. Benner, J. Giorgini, J. Lazio, “Towards a SHARP Imaging Radar Capability: Initial Investigations”, Australian Space Research Conference, UNSW Sydney, Dec-2024.

ABSTRACT. Australia’s space trajectory is marked by strategic tension. As a signatory to both the Moon Agreement, which emphasises equitable benefit-sharing of space resources, and the Artemis Accords, which endorse national rights to resource utilisation alongside transparency and interoperability, it carries commitments that diverge most clearly on the question of lunar resource rights. At the same time, China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) is expanding. Is engagement with the ILRS inherently detrimental? This poster argues it need not be, if approached through guiding principles such as transparency and sustainability applied consistently across partnerships. Much of Australia’s recent momentum has come not from government programs but from independent champions: Mars Society Australia with analog research and international collaborations, the National Space Society of Australia sustaining dialogue and outreach, and private actors such as Gilmore Space developing sovereign launch capacity. These initiatives demonstrate that progress is being made, but without policy acting as a compass, they risk remaining fragmented. Policy can amplify their impact by offering funding pathways, formal recognition, and integration into national strategy. Policy, therefore, is not a restraint but a compass. It is essential for turning diverse activity into coherence, for recognising the grassroots actors that helped establish the Australian Space Agency, and for positioning Australia to engage flexibly across Artemis, ILRS, ESA, and ISRO while projecting a consistent national identity. This poster proposes guiding principles, inclusivity, sustainability, benefit-sharing, and trustworthiness, as the foundation for such a compass. Positioning: This poster situates Australia’s space activities within the field of space policy and governance. By clarifying treaty contradictions, exploring principles-based engagement with ILRS, and connecting grassroots initiatives to national strategy, it offers a framework of guiding principles as a contribution to ongoing policy discourse on how Australia can chart a coherent path forward in a fragmented global environment.

ABSTRACT. MHAB, the Monash University balloon-lifted telescope, is a student-led initiative developed in collaboration with partners in Sheffield (UK) and Flinders (Australia) as part of the Monash Space Initiative. Building on the experience of the UK Sunbyte missions, MHAB aims to design and fly a low-cost, automated imaging telescope capable of precise Sun-tracking and high-resolution observations from the stratosphere. The engineering challenges span CAD-based structural design, thermal resilience, harmonic-drive pointing systems, and PID-controlled electronics for autonomous pointing and focusing. Beyond training undergraduate volunteers in space physics, robotics and space systems engineering, data science, the project seeks to deliver unique solar science data, including spectroscopic observations. Previous Sunbyte missions (https://sheffield.ac.uk/sunbyte/about-project-sunbyte) have flown on European HEMERA and NASA HASP platforms, and a new application has been submitted for the 2026 HEMERA/CNES balloon program. With seed funding secured, MHAB marks the beginning of a broader Monash university program in stratospheric solar astronomy, offering students hands-on experience while contributing novel insights into solar magnetic activity.

https://www.monashhab.com/

ABSTRACT. Radio occultation (RO) became widely available in the early 2000s with the deployment of the COSMIC satellite constellation that established itself as a reliable and resilient method of large-scale atmospheric observation and has since been increasingly used for numerical weather prediction (NWP), climate analysis and space weather. NWP depends on diverse data sources, with radiosondes considered to be of the highest standard for atmospheric profile observation. This work investigates the underlying causes of bias between radiosonde and RO observations. A comparison was conducted using post-processed COSMIC RO and radiosonde datasets obtained from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) COSMIC Data Analysis and Archive Center. Observations were matched within a 2-hour temporal and 300-km spatial window, with RO profiles vertically averaged to radiosonde standard pressure levels. The analysis was focussed on jet stream regions where atmospheric dynamics are particularly complex. Results show a consistent positive global temperature bias between 150-300 hPa (equivalent to approximately 9-14 km altitude), increasing over a five-year period 2009-2013. One hypothesis explored is that radiosondes drift far from their launch location in strong jet stream winds, contributing to this discrepancy for this dataset. Temperature bias trends also indicate the presence of higher order ionospheric effects influencing RO measurements. This work highlights the importance of understanding nuanced differences between datasets, especially when accuracy is critical for applications like NWP.

ABSTRACT. The Australian Space Agency (The Agency) joined the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) as an associate member in 2025. The IADC is an international technical body that coordinates research across its members to develop tangible approaches to manage humanities impact on the space environment. IADC’s primary goals include facilitating the exchange of research and data among member space agencies, coordinating joint efforts to monitor and mitigate debris, and developing technical guidelines to minimise the creation of debris during space missions. As an IADC associate member the Agency and our research partners will have access to non-public IADC documents including the latest information on the initiation and completion of new action items and internal tasks.

The Agency is committed to ensuring our involvement with IADC is representative of the Australian Space Debris Research Community. As such, in collaboration with UNSW Canberra, we are setting up a recurring forum at the annual UNSW SSA/SDA conference in Canberra. This forum will serve as a focal point for capturing the Australian space debris research community’s work, ideas, and perspectives, with contributions informing Australia’s updates at IADC meetings to ensure the breadth of Australian research is included. This will enable the Agency to deliver comprehensive updates on national space debris research and present a unified and representative front internationally.

Australia’s participation as an associate member of the IADC will reflect the full spectrum of national expertise in space debris research. As this is our inaugural year of membership, our intention to consult broadly across the research community may not yet be widely recognised. The ASRC attracts a distinctive group of researchers who can also contribute to Australia’s IADC objectives, many of whom may not attend the UNSW SSA/SDA conference. This makes ASRC an ideal forum for reaching out to these researchers and sharing our plans for IADC engagement. By presenting at ASRC, the Agency can extend an open invitation for dialogue, ensure the community is well-informed about its approach to future collaboration, and invite interested parties to participate in the Agency’s representation at the IADC.

ABSTRACT. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the advantages, disadvantages, and ethical considerations of prophylactic appendicectomy for personnel in remote and austere environments. The research findings may have significant translational potential for mainstream healthcare by informing broader decisions on avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted based on preferred reporting items in compliance with the PRISMA standards on relevant literature published between January 1st, 2016 and August 22nd, 2025, and combined with a previous search performed in 2016. A defined keyword search strategy was utilized for Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. A narrative synthesis was performed to critically assess the merits of prophylactic appendicectomy in expeditionary medicine by analysing its associated risks, benefits, and alternative management strategies. RESULTS: A total of 125 studies were included with 15 findings on the function of the appendix, 15 papers on diagnosis of appendicitis, 42 papers on management strategies, 27 on complications of appendicitis and appendicectomy, 17 on prophylactic surgery, and 9 papers on papers written on surgery in remote environments. DISCUSSION: Emerging research on the role of the appendix in gut immune function and as a microbial reservoir challenges the historical characterization as a vestigial organ, highlighting that its removal may not be without long-term consequences, and should therefore be approached with caution. The diagnosis of appendicitis is evolving, moving from traditional clinical examination to increased reliance on advanced imaging like CT scans to reduce negative appendicectomy rates. While surgical removal remains the standard treatment, a trend toward conservative antibiotic management is growing. Recent advancements also explore alternative management options such as endoscopes, mini-incisions, and spinal anaesthesia. Additionally, findings indicate that, while surgical complications are often short-term, such as wound infections and surgical delays, long-term consequences including small bowel obstruction and potential associations with auto-immune diseases and certain cancers have also been identified. In specific high-risk populations, such as military and expeditionary personnel, prophylactic appendicectomy has sometimes been a strategy for preventing surgical emergencies. However, the potential for complications and ethical concerns underscore the need to further explore alternative strategies such as remote diagnosis and treatment, now increasingly feasible through telemedicine and even robotic technology. CONCLUSION: While prophylactic appendicectomy may be beneficial in some high-risk scenarios, it is not recommended in general practice. Given the potential for short and long-term complications, the future of appendicitis management in austere environments likely lies in the advancement of non-operative treatments and remote surgical technologies.

ABSTRACT. The USA is the only country that offers several structured and accredited aerospace medicine (AsM) post-graduate training programs, including access to space health training and experience. New post-specialist space medicine fellowships have recently been established. However, demand exceeds supply.

All around the world, people aspire to a career in AsM and/or space health. However, the vast majority do not have access to either education or training opportunities to support this goal.

This includes countries without a space agency or one that participates in human spaceflight activities, or there is no local structured access to AsM education and training (including some European Space Agency member countries/associates).

Significant regulatory barriers exist for ‘foreigners’ in terms of accessing AsM education and training in the US. Additional barriers relating to gender, ethnicity, skin colour, etc. can be superimposed on this. For ‘internationals’ who dream of a space career, it can take a great deal of determination and resilience to overcome barriers and progress.

Thus, there is a strong imperative to develop an integrated AsM and space health education and training program that will: (a) Be accessible and affordable for AsM aspirants regardless of geographical location or citizenship; (b) Provide a combination of formal academic education and practical training opportunities in AsM and space health that is based around recognised core competencies; (c) Result in transferable credentials that can be recognised both industry-wide and internationally; (d) Provide an acceptable level of credentialling for international health professionals to participate in support teams for human spaceflight activities being conducted in their home country, or to participate professionally in AsM activities more generally; and (e) Provide foundational credentials that can be accepted as a basis for further workplace-based training and experience to advance to recognised ‘specialist’ or ‘expert’ status.

As a result, any future strategies for international education and training in AsM and space health should ideally embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion, and break down barriers to participation rather than putting them in place. Aspirational goals would be to “leave no-one behind”, and for AsM education and training to be universally accessible and affordable. Significant potential exists for international collaboration on such a project.

For instance, this might begin with an open-access online course sequentially offering a Graduate Certificate, Diploma, and Master’s degree in Aerospace Medicine based around recognised core competencies and published standards. The innovative “Human health in the space environment” subject developed for the University of Melbourne Medical School provides an example of an introductory stepping-stone.

ABSTRACT. The space domain is growing in user base with more organisations launching satellites now more than ever. If we desire to continue using the space environment we must be able to maintain a robust orbital tracking capability to ensure that an uncontrollable cascade of collisions does not become inevitable that makes Earth orbit unusable. This problem has motivated actions across Government, Industry and Academia to undertake research and development to keep the global tracking capabilities up to meet this increasing demand. As part of these activities, RMIT’s ROO telescope was deployed and is capable of tracking and collecting optical imagery of satellites that can be used to track their positions in orbit. ROO has the specific capability of scanning the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) belt where crucial communications and weather satellites reside. To further enable and accelerate ROO’s data processing capabilities, a YOLOv11 deep learning computer vision model has been trained to detect streak-like objects in ROO’s data. The model was trained on a dataset of 3252 images where 80% was devoted to training, 10% for model validation and 10% for testing. The performance metrics will be evaluated and compared to similar models in the literature. With further development and refinement, the goal is to have this model deployed into the ROO image processing pipeline as part of its GEO-scanning operations.

ABSTRACT. 3I/ATLAS, also known by its comet designation C/2025 N1, is the third observed interstellar object to pass through our solar system, after 2I/Borisov in 2019 and ‘Oumuamua in 2017. It is travelling on an unbound, highly hyperbolic orbit past the Sun at an excess velocity of 58 km/s and an eccentricity of 6.14. The comet’s exact origin and current composition remain uncertain, spiking significant interest in the astrophysics community. It hypothesised that it formed in the cold outer regions of a distant star’s protoplanetary disk, possibly in the Milky Way’s thick disk, before the solar system existed. Observations of 3I/ATLAS took place on August 24 at the Robotic Optical Observatory (ROO) at RMIT University’s Bundoora campus, in Melbourne. Image analysis software was used to extract observations of the right ascension, declination, width, and signal-to-noise ratio of the comet across the few hours of images captured. In addition to measuring fluctuations in the light emitted by 3I/ATLAS, an Initial Orbit Determination is performed using the angular positions and their time values, by first computing the comet’s position and velocity vectors relative to the Sun. The resulting orbit, with elements such as eccentricity, semi-minor axis, inclination, perihelion distance and excess velocity, will be compared to the comet’s ephemeris generated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Minor Planet Centre to assess the ability of such telescope facilities to conduct insightful research on small, dim interplanetary objects that pass through the solar system. Sources of error, including stellar aberration, hardware delays, and atmospheric refraction will also be considered to refine the orbital element values. This research supports the broader goal of increasing community engagement with RMIT’s ROO facility.

ABSTRACT. Space situational awareness (SSA) includes knowledge, and the ongoing monitoring, of space weather and object tracking, and is an important part of threat analysis when safely operating in space. As the number of satellites and debris grow, so too does the demand for reliable SSA. While the United States two-line element (TLE) database stands as the longest and most reliable open source of SSA data in the world, the availability and continuity of this database have at times been inconsistent, with TLE update frequency ranging more than once per day down to once every few days for the entire catalogue. Such drawbacks have led to the deployment of independently operated SSA sensors around the world. As part of these efforts, RMIT has been developing its Robotic Optical Observatory (ROO), consisting of a 0.4m telescope housed within an electronic 3m dome based at its Bundoora campus north of Melbourne. It has been programmed to scan the sky searching and reporting the angles of geosynchronous Earth orbiting (GEO) objects; a capability that has been demonstrated in numerous Sprint Advanced Concept Training exercises. The current project takes ROO’s capability forwards towards automatically identifying the objects it detects as part of these scans, using the TLE database. This will be achieved by propagating the TLEs for GEO objects to the observation times recorded by ROO, and then identifying where in the images the objects from the database should be located. Using data from ROO’s GEO search operations, the accuracy of the TLE database will be compared to the measurements collected by ROO. The outcome of this research will be an advancement towards creating an entire GEO catalogue purely using ROO data, which will prove valuable to the Australian and international SSA community.

ABSTRACT. The reentry of spacecraft and debris is integral in both the launch and end-of-life phases of most space missions. During reentry, the primary force on the vehicle is due to atmospheric drag, which heavily influences the landing location of the object. However, the atmospheric density gradient from near vacuum to ground is highly variable and is not well characterised. This leads to large uncertainties in the flight path and landing locations of reentering objects. As the Australian Space sector continues to develop and grow, its global reputation hinges on its ability to conduct controlled re-entry missions, thereby minimising environmental impacts of launch activities. Towards achieving this objective, the accurate characterisation and modelling of re-entering objects within a predicted range is required.

This work explores the variations in reentry trajectories due to middle and upper atmospheric density variations, using a parametric whole-of-atmosphere model. Each region of the atmosphere is considered independently, and characterised for uncertainties by accounting for seasonal, tropospheric and space weather variations. With this detailed density profile of Earth’s atmosphere, the effects of perturbations in atmospheric density across relevant altitudes during the re-entry flight path are characterised using detailed vehicle simulations with parametric atmospheric models. These parametrised simulations will be randomly sampled over large populations and analysed with statistical methods. Estimation error is also explored in the context of satellite re-entry modelling, examining ranges of common to extreme atmospheric conditions. The results from these numerical experiments reveal the significance of uncertainty in reentry predictions and are discussed in the context of improving Australia’s sovereign space capability.

ABSTRACT. The design of spacecraft propulsion is complex, requiring the consideration of numerous input variables and multiple, frequently conflicting objectives. Conventional trade studies typically concentrate on a restricted number of candidate designs, which can obscure critical trade-offs and result in suboptimal solutions. This problem is particularly acute in electric propulsion systems, as their efficacy depends on parameters that are tightly interconnected. This study applies tradespace exploration to propulsion system design by systematically examining three key inputs i.e. voltage, mass flow rate, and total power, and their effects on output performance metrics such as thrust-to-power ratio, specific impulse, and thrust efficiency. By treating these attributes as dimensions of a multidimensional design space, we identify performance frontiers, visualize trade-offs, and uncover trends that are not apparent in conventional analyses. To assess optimality, Pareto optimization is incorporated within the tradespace exploration framework, producing frontiers that emphasize propulsion configurations which maximize one performance objective without compromising others. This enables straightforward comparisons between optimal solutions and “near-optimal” regions. The findings highlight the importance of integrating tradespace exploration and Pareto optimization in the early stages of propulsion development. This methodology provides decision-makers with a more comprehensive understanding of available options and supports the selection of propulsion architectures that enhance mission resilience and stakeholder value.

ABSTRACT. Space exploration is essential in deepening our understanding of the universe while also contributing to advancements that improve human life on Earth. Mars has been considered the key target of space research, development, and the most potentially habitable site. To sustain the potential human activities and habitation on this planet, building the infrastructure is essential, where iron would be an essential component.

Previous studies have suggested that the Martian regolith could be used as the source for iron. Considering the accessibility of CO2 in the atmosphere as a potential solid carbon source, it has been suggested that carbothermic reduction is a feasible method to extract iron from the regolith.

This work presents a study of the carbothermic reduction of simulated Mars regolith (MGS-1), starting from the characterization of the simulant, thermodynamic assessment, selected carbothermic experimental work, and assessment of the slag utilization. The dominant minerals contained in the regolith included plagioclase (41.54 wt.%), pyroxene (26.37 wt.%), olivine (24.43 wt.%), quartz (2.60 wt.%), and hematite (1.23 wt.%).

The thermodynamic assessment predicted the conversion of all Fe from 100 g regolith into a liquid Fe (alloy) when reacted with 6 g carbon at 1150 ℃ under the pressure of 7 mbar. The system was also predicted to be transformed into a fully molten (slag and liquid alloy) system starting at 1400 ℃. Experimental work at 1400 ℃ and under controlled pressures of 4 to 10 mbar, the typical Mars ambient pressure showed agreement with the simulation results where the sample reached the smelting stage, producing liquid metal and slag.

ABSTRACT. GNSS signal integrity assessment is crucial for reliable positioning of low-cost platforms such as CubeSats and UAVs. In single-receiver scenarios lacking external calibration, simplified diagnostic techniques need development. This study constructs a pseudorange-phase rate residual (RRR) metric to evaluate code-carrier tracking loop consistency through single-receiver single-frequency observations. By integrating carrier phase resynchronization detection with GRS residual analysis, it reveals variations in satellite tracking stability: some PRNs exhibit significant signal quality degradation during specific periods, while others maintain high stability. The proposed RRR metric provides a practical framework for single-receiver signal quality evaluation, supporting further research on multi-receiver differential positioning systems as outlined in Thesis B. Core innovation: The pseudo-range-phase rate residual (RRR) index is proposed for the first time to realize single receiver signal integrity diagnosis without external correction conditions, and provide reliable evaluation tools for low-cost platforms.