The problems with small satellites – and what Australia’s Space Agency can do to help

Australia is part of the global explosion in space industries – including the design and engineering of satellites smaller than a loaf of bread – and Australia’s new space agency can help tackle some of the problems associated with this expansion.

The art of avoiding technological traps

The Federal Government should create an Office of Technology Assessment to provide timely and targeted advice to Ministers, officials and public agencies to ensure they understand the risks, rewards and implications of new technology.

Australia takes a new lead in astronomy research

Australian scientists will lead the design phase of a multi-million-dollar project to help one of the world’s most powerful optical telescopes produce images up to three times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope.

How AI is changing scientific experimentation

There’s plenty of speculation about what artificial intelligence will look like in the future, but ANU researchers are already harnessing its power to investigate quantum interactions.

The encryption deal done, but more work is needed

Australia has a strong history of bipartisanship on national security issues and is much stronger for it. This tradition has held, just about, through the debate on data encryption, but much still remains to be done.

Can we make plastic fantastic?

There’ll be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050 if we don’t change our ways, but simple ways to turn plastic trash into functional products could help stem the tide.

Are tech companies using data in more ethical ways?

Technology firms generate their huge profits from the vast amounts of data they harvest from their users, so have they really changed their ways to protect user data from abuse in the light of recent scandals? New research suggests that while their rhetoric has changed, the reality has not.

In sight of the red planet

The latest spacecraft to complete the journey to Mars, NASA’s Insight lander, continues mankind’s long held fascination with the red planet.

Lifting the lid on quantum computing

Newly developed software for learning quantum computer programming allows students to see inside the ‘black box’ and start using the ‘weird’ physics to solve problems

What to make of ‘Oumuamua

We will never see ‘Oumuamua again, and we may never know exactly what it is, but its passing will have changed the world if it makes more children contemplate a career in science.

How can we stop AI discriminating?

Combating bias and creating more inclusive AI is unlikely to succeed unless developers include those people who have been historically excluded or ignored.

Where to next on the final frontier?

A critical mass of participants, initiatives and developments are riding a wave of government enthusiasm and private-sector support for Australia’s space industry. It’s a good time to be involved in the sector, but what should its priorities be from here?