From South Australia to Space: what's it like to work in the space industry?

South Australian Universities Alumni in Europe and the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies presents

From Australia to Space: what's it like to work in the space industry? Three Australians share their experiences of working in the space industry.

Andrea is the voice linking astronauts with people on the ground, Thomas has a particular interest in aviation and space medicine while Emile tests the software used to communicate and send data between the spacecraft and ground station.

Whether you’ve got an interest in space or are just curious about what’s going on ‘out there’ this event is sure to be of interest. You’ll get to hear first hand from each of our speakers about what it’s like to be at the forefront of the space industry, as well as pose questions to them directly in a panel Q&A session.

Light refreshments and networking drinks will follow the presentations and Q&A (from approximately 8pm)

RSVP essential: Thursday 13 July 2017

More about our speakers:

Andrea Boyd
ISS Flight Operations Engineer, European Astronaut Centre
Andrea is an ISS Flight Controller at the European Astronaut Centre. She is the voice linking astronauts with people on the ground. A Mechatronic Engineer from the University of Adelaide, she specialised in robotics in South Korea, worked as an Automation Engineer then worked underground, turning ore into refined products, as a Mining Control Systems Specialist in the remote desert. She is on the Australian of the Year Honour Roll for her volunteer work at schools, universities and NGOs, inspiring young people to pursue ambitious careers.

Dr Thomas Smith MBBS DPhil FRCA FAsMA
Aerospace Medicine Research Group, University of Oxford
Dr Smith graduated from medicine at the University of Adelaide in 2000. He subsequently undertook training as a Churchill Fellow in aerospace medicine at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, before moving to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar to undertake a doctorate in physiology. His research is focused on heart and lung physiology, with a particular interest in aviation and space medicine, including studies on NASA's parabolic 'zero-gravity' flights. Clinically, he has broad experience in aeromedical critical care, and is a consultant anaesthetist at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Emile Victor
On-board Software Engineer, Airbus Defence and Space
Emile is an On-board Software Engineer working for Airbus Defence and Space just north of London. His work involves writing and testing Telemetry, Telecommand and Operating software for the European Space Agency’s 2021 ExoMars Rover and 2018 Solar Orbiter missions. He attended the University of Queensland where he attained a Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Systems & Aerospace) with honours.

The Menzies Centre for Australian Studies is the lead Australian studies centre in Europe, promoting an understanding of Australian history, society and culture throughout Britain and beyond.

The Centre's object is to promote Australian studies in British and European universities, helping to cement intellectual links between the two regions. Our staff are closely involved with the International Australian Studies Association (InASA) and the European Association of Studies on Australia.

The Centre's public activities include lectures, conferences, seminars and literary readings and attract a diverse audience, helping to produce a more comprehensive, detailed and balanced perception of Australian politics, economics, life and culture than is popularly available. The Centre also administers scholarships and fellowships, offers undergraduate courses in Australian history, film and literature, MA modules in Australian Studies (history, politics, film and literature) and supervises MPhil and PhD research.