Meet our Executive team

Located around Australia, our Executive team is responsible for coordinating civil space matters across government and supporting the growth and transformation of Australia’s space industry.

Enrico Palermo headshot

Enrico Palermo - Head of the Australian Space Agency

Enrico is responsible for governance and performance, management, policy leadership and strategic direction of the Agency.

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Dara Williams Headshot

Dara Williams - Deputy head of the Australian Space Agency

Dara ensures the Agency delivers on its purpose to transform and grow a globally respected Australian space industry that contributes to the economy.

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Aude Vignelles headshot

Aude Vignelles, Acting General Manager National Space Capability, Technology and Programs | Chief Technology Officer

​​​​​​​The National Space Capability, Technology and Programs branch provides whole-of-government strategic guidance on national space capability and needs through scoping activities, expert advice and technical due diligence on space matters. It supports the growth and uptake of space applications and delivery of the Australian Space Agency's programs in alignment with critical technology priorities, to grow a trusted and respected Australian space sector.

Chris De Luis Headshot

Christopher De Luis - General Manager, Office of the Space Regulator

The Office of the Space Regulator is responsible for the regulation of Australian space activities and high-power rockets. Its purpose is to provide an internationally recognised regulatory framework that enables entrepreneurship and sector growth, while assuring risks to safety and other national interests are managed appropriately. This includes the implementation of Australia’s obligations under the United Nations space treaties.

Chris Hewett Headshot

Chris Hewett, General Manager Space Policy

The Space Policy branch provides policy advice and analysis on the space sector. The branch works across government policy domains, programs and capability development to facilitate decision making and outcomes in the national interest.

Meet our Advisory Board

The Australian Space Advisory Board is non-statutory, independent and skills based. 

The Board:

  • advises the Head of the Agency
  • reviews and advises on the Agency’s strategic direction and performance
  • supports the Agency to achieve its purpose
  • is not a decision-making body and has no governing legislation.

Dr Megan Clark AC

Location

Victoria

Current positions

Director, Rio Tinto

Director, CSL Limited

Expertise

Inaugural Head of the Australian Space Agency 2018 to 2020

Former positions: Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Director at NM Rothschild and Sons (Australia), Vice President Technology and subsequently Vice President Health, Safety and Environment at BHP Billiton.

Qualifications 

BSc Geology from the University of Western Australia

PhD Economic Geology from Queen’s University, Canada

Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2014 for eminent service to scientific research and development.

Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts AM CSC

Location

Australian Capital Territory

Current position

Defence Space Commander

Expertise

Former positions: Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research

Organisation (CSIRO), Director at NM Rothschild and Sons (Australia), Vice President Technology and subsequently Vice President Health, Safety and Environment at BHP Billiton

Former positions: Head Aerospace Systems Division, Director General Aerospace Combat Systems Department of Defence, Director General New Air Combat Capability, Defence Materiel Organisation.

Qualifications 

BEng Aeronautical Engineering, RMIT University

Masters, Management and Defence Studies, University of Canberra

International Relations, Royal College of Defence Studies London

Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for exceptional service in the fields of aerospace acquisition and sustainment.

Read Cath's full biography

Alfred ‘Al’ Wassel

Location

Florida, USA

Current position

Freelance space operations consultant

Expertise

19802001, member of US Air Force

20142020, Vice-President at Millennium Engineering and Integration. Responsible for executing contracts in space operations, including working with NASA and the U.S. Dept. of Defence

13 years as a senior Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representative, executing Commercial Space Launch Act legislative responsibilities on US Federal launch sites

Represented the FAA on the U.S. National Aerospace Technician Advisory Council.

Qualification

Masters in Business Management, Cambridge University.

 

Frank Robert

Location

Victoria 

Current position

Associated Vice President, AT Kearney

Expertise

Has contributed to NASA planetary missions and leading-edge commercial spacecraft

Leads space practice for Australia, specialising in telecommunications, satellites and technology strategy

Has conducted research and authored a white paper on optimising the economic impact of the Australian Space Agency.

Qualifications 

Master of Business Administration, Cornell University

Graduate work in Radio Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics and Minor in Astronomy, Amherst College.

Read Frank's full biography

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith

Locations

Tasmania and New South Wales 

Current position

Australian Government Women in STEM Ambassador and Professor of Practice at UNSW

Expertise

Astrophysicist with more than 50 research publications on topics including star formation, supernova remnants, cosmic magnetism, planetary nebulae, and black holes.

Global experience in radio astronomy research, facility operations and management.

Former research group leader at CSIRO and project scientist for both the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescopes.

Expert on designing evidence-based equity and inclusion policies and programs to grow the STEM workforce.

Award-winning science communicator, television presenter and author on the topic of astronomy.

Qualifications 

PhD in Radio Astronomy, University of Manchester

Master (Hons) of Physics in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Read Lisa's full biography

Professor Peter Klinken AC

Location

Western Australia 

Current position

Chief Scientist of Western Australia

Expertise

Leading medical research scientist advancing the understanding of genes in leukaemia, cancer and anaemia

Research achievements include discovery of a gene that supresses the growth of tumours

Worked as a researcher at the US National Institutes of Health in Washington and Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne.

Qualification

PhD in Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia.

Read Peter's full biography

Professor Steven Freeland

Location

New South Wales 

Current position

Emeritus Professor, Western Sydney University and Professorial Fellow, Bond University

Expertise

Extensive national and international experience in space law, representing the Australian Government at the UN and advising the Australian and New Zealand governments on space regulation.

Editorial board member of several space-related journals, author of over 300 publications on international and space law

Former positions: Director of the International Institute of Space Law in Paris, faculty member of the London Institute of Space Policy and Law, member of the International Law Association’s Space Law Committee.

Qualifications 

PhD in International Law, Maastricht University

Master of Laws, University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Bachelor of Law and Commerce, Bachelor of Industrial Relations, UNSW

Marie Curie Fellow in 2013.

Read Steven's full biography

Terms of Reference

Our department recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.

We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.