How is Australia building a specialised space workforce while balancing sovereign capability, allied integration and the operational demands of a contested domain?

In this episode of the Space Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Commander of Australian Space Command, Major General Gregory Novak AM, to discuss the rapid evolution of the space domain and its growing importance to national security.

MAJGEN Novak outlines the role of Space Command as a force generation organisation responsible for raising, training and sustaining Australia's space capability.

The discussion explores direct entry pathways and creation of dedicated space workforce streams, including space operations officers and specialists as well as how these roles will build deep technical mastery while maintaining integration across land, sea, air and cyber domains.

The episode also examines how Australia is prioritising key mission areas such as satellite communications, space domain awareness and missile warning while balancing sovereign capability development with allied and commercial partnerships.

The podcast conversation includes the following topics:

• Introduction of direct entry recruitment pathways for space operations roles.
• Development of a specialised Australian Defence Force space workforce and career progression model.
• Key priority mission sets, including satellite communications, space domain awareness and missile warning.
• Balancing sovereign capability with allied, partner and commercial integration.
• The role of space in enabling joint force operations and national resilience.
• Growth of Australia's domestic space industry and opportunities in launch capability.
• Challenges of operating in a contested and congested space environment.
• The importance of public awareness and understanding of space's role in everyday life.

Finally, the discussion reflects on the future of the space domain, the need for speed in capability development, and the importance of nurturing the next generation of space professionals.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Space Connect team

Franco-American space transportation company Hstar Space is building a heavy-class rocket to blast off global infrastructure into orbit. Its upcoming launch vehicle is designed to carry up to 60 tonnes of payload.

Once complete, they hope to blast it off from spaceports around the world, including locally at the upcoming Space Centre Australia in far north Queensland.

In this special episode, the CEO of Hstar, Nick Orenstein, and the founder of Space Centre Australia, James Palmer, discuss their upcoming plans.

This week, the Space Connect Podcast features a returning guest: Paul Hawkins, the founder of Crazy Might Work.

His company is a leadership and innovation academy that brings lessons from frontiers like space to the workplace.

More simply put, Hawkins and his team work with leaders and their teams to create and mobilise high-performing teams.

Their re-imagination of NASA's successful 4-D program won the Australian Space Awards 2025 for Workplace Initiative of the Year.

Host Adam Thorn and Hawkins discuss this and what exactly makes great leadership and high-performing teams.