Southern Hemisphere Space Program to tackle the final frontier

It will be the sixth time since 2011 the University of South Australia has hosted the International Space University’s Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SH-SSP).

The 43 participants from 12 countries including China, India, Mexico, France, Austria, Oman, Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Nigeria and Australia will this year focus on the implications of the satellite revolution – for technology, business, industry, law, and for space itself.

NASA Chief Innovation Officer Dr Omar Hatamleh has taken on the role of Space Studies Director on a two-year assignment.

He said the participants in the January 9 – February 10 course were from a variety of space sector backgrounds and would be exposed to a broad range of industry issues during the program from systems engineering to technical aspects, societal impacts, legal implications.

“They’re coming from all over the world and the good thing about this space studies program is what we call the three I’s:international, interdisciplinary and intercultural. So it gives participants an overview about all aspects of space,” Dr Hatamleh said.

This year’s practical project will involve participants building two small cube satellites fitted with cameras, sensors and GPS that they will then launch into the stratosphere...