A University of Tasmania PhD candidate will continue to immerse himself in deep space studies after winning the Andy Thomas Space Foundation EOS Space Systems 2022 Jupiter Award.
The $10,000 award is given to a researcher or doctoral candidate studying in the field of space domain awareness and space control.
David Smith (pictured), is completing his PhD in commensal space domain awareness with large parabolic antennas, using the radio antennas from the University of Tasmania to track satellites and space debris, thanks to an industry-funded PhD scholarship from HENSOLDT Australia.
He said he was honoured to receive the award from the Foundation, named after Australia’s first astronaut, which will allow him to pursue more opportunities in his study field.
“Most people don’t have an awareness of how space debris can impact on their lives, but for many nations and corporations the issue of where space junk is vitally important,” Mr Smith said.
“If you like being able to make a call, or like being able to get a weather report, or any number of other things on your internet connected device, then assets in space need to be safeguarded. This means we need to be able to track orbital debris.
“A bolt that was once attached to a satellite can do a lot of damage when it’s travelling at 10 times the speed of a bullet. Imagine an object like that colliding with something like the International Space Station.
“Astronauts and cosmonauts up on the ISS also need to hunker down if their orbit takes them into the path of debris. It’s a real risk.”
David’s passion for all thing space started when he was primary school, before he eventually completed a Masters Degree in Physics.
“I’ve always been really interested in this area of science. I’d say growing up my two areas of interest were probably going to space and particle physics.”
Each year the Andy Thomas Foundation offers award programs to enable students and researchers to engage with Australian and international space industry experts, promoting the growth and capability of Australia’s future workforce.
Dr Andrew Thomas has been a leading advocate for the development of the Australian space sector after a distinguished career with NASA from 1993-2014.
