KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
DR SARAH CANNARD
Systems Engineer and Project Manager, Nova Systems
Dr Sarah Cannard is a Systems Engineer and Project Manager at Nova Systems. For almost two decades she has worked in the Australian Defence and Space industry and is now the Lead Systems Engineer for Australia’s first ever Lunar Rover to support the ASA Moon to Mars program with NASA. She is also at the forefront of deep-tech space research in Australia and is the Project Manager for the SA Government and SmartSat CRC Kanyini Earth Observation satellite.
Sarah has been involved with many complex Defence and Space programs including the Japanese Space Agency’s Hayabusa 1 Spacecraft re-entry into in central Australia, hypersonic sub-orbital rocket launches, weapons testing, Moon Rover research, and autonomous vehicle tests and trials.
Sarah has a deep passion for space and growing a sovereign Australian industry, promoting space-STEM careers, and creating opportunities to enable change through space technology.
ARAVIND RAVICHANDRA
Founder, TerraWatch Space Advisory and Insights
Aravind Ravichandran is the founder of TerraWatch Space, a strategic advisory and market intelligence firm specialising in Earth observation (EO), satellite data and its applications. Aravind works on strategic assignments with space agencies, satellite companies and investors around the world, including advising enterprises across multiple sectors on strategies of adopting satellite data for solving climate, environmental and business challenges. He is also the author of the TerraWatch Space newsletter that provides insights and analysis on the EO sector and use cases of satellite data.
ALISON ROSE
Chief of Division,
Space, Geoscience Australia
Alison Rose is Chief of Geoscience Australia’s Space Division. Prior to her appointment, Alison led the Border Intelligence Support to Operations branch at the Department of Home Affairs providing integrated intelligence support to the Australian Border Force on migration systems, trade enforcement and border protection priorities.
Previously, Alison held senior executive positions within both the private and public sector, including Director of National Government Industry Solutions with Esri – a US-based GIS technology company; delivery of the Department of Defence’s corporate and geospatial ICT programs and projects and enterprise information management implementation; and, leadership of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation’s foundation mapping, advanced analytics, training and tradecraft, data and collection management, and customer services.
Deputy Director, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)
Dr Samantha Burgess is Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), working at the science-policy interface to improve understanding of climate related risks. Within C3S, Burgess leads the climate intelligence and observations parts of the programme, working with partners to inform better decisions for society and government. Throughout her career, Burgess has focused on understanding climate impacts, environmental resilience, ocean governance and sustainable development in roles including chief scientific advisor, research director and head of policy in government, the private sector, NGOs and academia.