Great leap in space race

A new generation of ADF space personnel has graduated from Defence’s first space operations IET course.

Sixteen ADF personnel from Air Force, Army and Navy marked the completion of their training at the Defence School of Space and Cyber, celebrating the start of their space careers with a graduation parade in Canberra.

Chief of Space and Cyber LTGEN Susan Coyle said the graduation marked a significant milestone for the ADF’s space capability.

“Our space domain depends on skilled people who demonstrate the adaptability, technical expertise and integrated mindset to operate in a complex, rapidly evolving environment,” she said.

“These space operations officers and specialists are the future of our space workforce and will play a key role in strengthening Australia’s security and prosperity.”

During the five-month course, graduates studied a range of space operations mission sets, including space domain awareness, satellite communications, missile warning and satellite operations.

Commander Space Command MAJGEN Gregory Novak congratulated graduates on their achievement.

“These space operations officers and specialists will take up roles across Space Command, ready to contribute to our mission of generating and delivering ADF space power,” MAJGEN Novak said.

Defence continues to expand its space workforce, with new roles emerging across operations, intelligence, engineering and cyber, offering opportunities to build specialist skills and contribute to Australia’s growing space capability.