FROM THE LEAD SCIENTIST

AUSTRALIA WAS ONCE a leader in space.

In 1967, we put WRESAT into orbit, becoming just the third nation in history – after the US and the then USSR – to launch a satellite from its own soil.

Two years later, as Apollo 11 made history, it was our technicians, at Honeysuckle Creek and the Parkes Radio Telescope, who recorded Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon for the world to see.

It’s time to take a leadership role again.

We find ourselves in a new era, and investing in new technologies such as cubesats or 3D printing in orbit will allow us to play a key role in what I think of as Space 2.0.

We at The Royal Institution of Australia believe there is a lot to get excited about. We have explored the science of space in Cosmos, inspired students about careers in spacerelated fields on Australia’s Science Channel, and provided relevant teaching materials via our education portal.

The Apollo program saw a generation around the world consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths – the STEM subjects – and NASA’s new mission, Artemis, will too. Just as inspirationally, it will allow us to witness the first woman walking on the Moon.

Australia will be a key partner in NASA’s Return to the Moon, but the Australian Space Agency is looking even further ahead. It has plans for autonomous or remotely operated extraction facilities on the Moon; this time we won’t just walk on the Moon, we will work on it.

With a commitment to STEM, not even the sky’s the limit.