The New Battlefield: Space defence and the future of military operations

17 JUNE 2024 | 3:00 PM, Alpha Conference Room

Dr Ben Greene joins esteemed guest speakers from Defence, Academia, and Industry for a roundtable discussion.

This panel explores emerging technologies and strategies in space defence, covering laser technology, satellite systems, space-based surveillance and anti-satellite capabilities. Our diverse panel of experts will provide fresh, multi-dimensional insights into the integration and impact of space technology in military operations. This is an unmissable opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of space defence's future and its strategic significance in modern warfare.

Moderator

Tereza Pultarova - Science and Technology Journalist, Shephard Media
Tereza is a science and technology communication professional with over 15 years of experience across broadcast, print, and online media. She has worked in multiple European countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Czechia. Tereza’s specialities are journalism, content development, storytelling, international communication campaign management, TV presenting and moderation, and communication project management.

Speakers

Dr Ben Greene developed and deployed laser space tracking capabilities and infrastructure across Australia. He was also the principal designer of the initial remote weapon systems programs for the US Army. Dr Greene is the founder of EOS and the company's Head of Innovation having previously served as the company’s Group CEO until August 2022. He is widely published in science and technology, has authored numerous patents, and his work has been recognised by NASA and USAF awards. Dr Greene is a past member of Australia’s Prime Ministers Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC), Director of the CRC for Space Environment Management and Deputy Chair of the Western Pacific Laser Tracking Network (WPLTN).

Juliana Suess is the Research Analyst and Policy Lead on Space Security as part of the Military Sciences team at RUSI and is the host of the podcast War in Space. She was previously Project Officer and Research Analyst at RUSI International. Her research interests include global space governance, sustainability, counterspace capabilities and space warfare. Juliana holds an MA in Conflict, Security and Development from King’s College London and a BA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading. Prior to joining RUSI, she was an intern for the Development, Concept and Doctrine Centre, the independent think tank of the Ministry of Defence. There she researched varied topic areas, including geo-strategic, security and stabilisation topics, as well as future and contemporary trends in warfare.

Pierre-Emmanuel Haensler, head of S2AD at ONERA, specialises in Space Surveillance and Tracking, spacecraft Guidance Navigation and Control. With over seven years at ONERA, he has managed significant aerospace projects and engaged in research engineering. His prior roles include work at Safran Electronics & Defense and CNES, focusing on control system design and launcher trajectory optimisation. Educated at Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Penn State University, and Pierre and Marie Curie University, his expertise covers aeronautics, aerospace engineering, and astronomy.

Rory Welch is the Vice President of Global Government & Satellite Services at Intelsat. He leads all business development, sales, and product management for Intelsat’s international government, space services, and hosted payload business. Rory is responsible for providing satellite communications solutions for defense, intelligence, and civil space customers around the world. He also guides development and delivery of spacecraft design, early orbit support, and operations services for a variety of satellite network operators and manufacturers. Mr. Welch joined Intelsat in 2014, starting at Intelsat General as the Director of Space Services. Since then, he served as the Vice President of Operations and Support Services, leading the space & ground network engineering, customer service delivery, IT operations, security, and facilities functions for Intelsat’s Government business unit. Welch assumed his current role in 2023. Before joining the Intelsat team, Mr. Welch served as a senior space operations officer in the US Air Force. He has over 30 years of experience in satellite operations, national ISR systems, space launch, strategic planning, and program management. Mr. Welch has a M.A. from Air University, a M.A. from George Washington University, and a B.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.