Human progress is in space exploration
‘Quod Invenias Explorans Spatium Progressus Est Humanitatis’
The Andy Thomas
Space Foundation
About
Mission
Our mission is to promote social well-being and overcome disadvantage in Australia and to advocate in favour of space as a domain for international cooperation and peaceful co-existence. We will achieve our mission by supporting the outreach and education goals of the Australian Space Agency and by acting as an interface between the space community and the public. This will involve building a culture of entrepreneurship and igniting a curiosity for space and related scientific activities among young Australians.
Purpose
Our purpose is to achieve our mission through the following three interconnected goals:
- Advancing Space Education – Making STEM literacy for all students an educational priority.
- Raising Space Awareness – Making connections between space science and technologies and our everyday lives.
- Contributing to the national space community – Through events and other education initiatives
Dr Andrew Thomas AO – Founding Patron
Andrew Thomas received a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering, with First Class Honours, from the University of Adelaide, South Australia, in 1973, and a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Adelaide, South Australia, in 1978.
After a career as a Research Scientist in the United States with Lockheed Martin he was selected by NASA and following one year of training, he was appointed a member of the NASA astronaut corps in 1993.
In June 1995, he was appointed payload commander for the shuttle mission STS-77 and flew his first flight in space on Endeavour in May 1996. He next trained at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Russia in preparation for a long-duration flight. In 1998, he served as Board Engineer 2 aboard the Russian Space Station Mir for 130 days.
His third mission was in March, 2001 in shuttle mission STS-102 on board Discovery. From August 2001 to November 2003, he served as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA Johnson in Houston.
His fourth space flight was on Discovery STS-114 from 26 July to August 9, 2005. He has logged more than 177 days in space. He retired from NASA in February 2014.
He has been a leading advocate for the development of the Australian space sector and his contributions in Australia have been recognised with awards which include Officer of the Order of Australia and Life Membership of the Space Industry Association of Australia.
Messages for Dr Thomas can be sent by clicking here.
Dr Megan Clark AC – Co-Patron
Dr Megan Clark is the former Head of the Australian Space Agency. Prior to her appointment, she chaired the Expert Working Group into the Review of Australia’s Space Industry Capability. Through that role she became the leading player in the establishment of the Australian Space Agency in 2018 and was the primary architect of the renewed national commitment to the growth of the Australian space sector.
She is also a director of Rio Tinto and CSL Limited and she is a member of the Australian advisory board of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
She was Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) from 2009 to 2014.
Prior to the CSIRO, she was a Director at NM Rothschild and Sons (Australia) and was Vice President Technology and subsequently Vice President Health, Safety and Environment at BHP Billiton from 2003 to 2008.
Dr Clark holds a B.Sc. from the University of Western Australia and a PhD from Queen’s University, Canada and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, a Fellow of the AusIMM and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
In 2014, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Announcements
19 April 2024
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation welcomes two new Directors to the Foundation Board
Catherine Roberts AO CSC
Ms Roberts recently retired as an Air Vice Marshal after a career in the Royal Australian Air Force spanning 41 years. Her most recent role was as inaugural Defence Space Commander. She commenced her long and distinguished career as a specialist in aerospace engineering and progressed through to senior leadership roles in the Australian Defence Force in Australia and overseas. She has dedicated her career to advancing Air and Space Power and has a passion for diversity and assisting women to enter aerospace and STEM fields.
Julia Dreosti
Ms Dreosti holds the position of Counsel with Clifford Chance, one of the world’s largest law firms with 33 offices in 22 countries. She is actively involved in the space sector in her role as one of the firm’s global space sector leads. As a lawyer she specialises in project management and risk minimisation across various industry sectors, and all forms of dispute resolution. She is a former State President of the French-Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She holds a Masters in French Law and European Community Law from the Sorbonne in Paris.
Catherine and Julia bring unique skillsets and perspectives to the expanded Board (consisting of Michael Davis AO, Chair, Professor Andy Koronios, Peter Nikoloff and the two new directors) as we continue to grow our programs and expand our presence across the nation.
19 March 2024
NSW Primary Schools Are Invited To Apply for the NSW Space Discovery Program.
In the lead-up to the 76th International Astronautical Congress: IAC-2025 Sydney, The Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Australian-owned EdTech company, Makers Empire, are joining forces to deliver an engaging education program for 32 NSW schools. This program is supported by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Investment, Enterprise and Trade.
For the full announcement, click HERE
5 December 2023
Award of scholarships for Research on Australia’s Eucalypt Forests and Archaeological Landscapes
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation and the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat) named two Australian PhD students as the inaugural recipients of the Dr Peter Woodgate Scholarships for Earth Observation at the 16th Australian Space Forum in Sydney on 5th December 2023.
Donna Fitzgerald, from the University of South Australia, and Oliver Hatswell, from Flinders University, will each receive scholarships valued at $35,000 per year for their respective research projects, funded jointly by Smartsat and the Andy Thomas Space Foundation.
Donna’s project involves quantifying the dieback of eucalypt forests and vegetation health changes over time using comparative remote sensing techniques to monitor forest health. The findings will be used to develop a remote sensing and scenario-based framework for dieback analytics in other forests.
Oliver’s project involves the innovative mapping of archaeological landscapes in the Australian Arid Zone using satellite remote sensing. It will undertake an extensive trial of high-resolution remote sensing and machine learning methods to map key geomorphic features and inform understanding of archaeological potential, chronology, and depositional history.
The scholarships honour the significant contribution, passion, vision and tireless commitment of the late Dr Peter Woodgate to the advancement of the space and geospatial industries for over 30 years in Australia, including the establishment of SmartSat CRC’s structure and governance framework and his work as Smartsat’s inaugural Chair.
For more information about other Foundation scholarships and prizes, click HERE .
28 October 2022
Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Australian Space Agency launch their National ‘Kids in Space’ Program for 2023
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation is proud to be partnering with the Australian Space Agency to fund the national Kids in Space program as delivered by Makers Empire. This program will be rolled out to over 65 schools across each state and territory around Australia – bringing Space into the classrooms of over 3000 students and 400 teachers.
For the full announcement, click HERE
For more information about other Foundation scholarships and prizes, click HERE .
13 September 2022
Andy Thomas Space Foundation and cosine have selected a winner of the 2022 Pluto Program
cosine and The Andy Thomas Space Foundation have proudly selected a winner of the 2022 Pluto Program. We congratulate Kathiravan Thangavel of RMIT for his project titled, ‘Hyperspectral data processing in wildfire detection and rescue operations using Artificial Intelligence’
For the full announcement, click HERE
For more information about other Foundation scholarships and prizes, click HERE .
8 August 2022
Andy Thomas Space Foundation and EOS have selected winners of the 2022 Jupiter Program
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and The Andy Thomas Space Foundation have proudly selected three winners of the 2022 Jupiter Program, each having presented outstanding research proposals in the fields of space science and engineering. We congratulate Sofia McLeod of the University of Adelaide, David Smith of the University of Tasmania and Julian Guinane of the University of Sydney.
For the full announcement, click HERE
For more information about other Foundation scholarships and prizes, click HERE .
18 July 2022
Andy Thomas Space Foundation Launches first Inclusion Initiative – 2022 Aurora Mission (Pilot Program)
Following the generous contributions of the Maras Foundation and support from other organisations, including the Australian Space Agency and SmartSat CRC, the Andy Thomas Space Foundation has developed an innovative fund offering engaging and accessible education opportunities designed specifically for students and young people living with a disability.
For the full announcement, click HERE
For more information about other Foundation scholarships and prizes, click HERE .
16 June 2022
2022 Andy Thomas Space Foundation’s Mars and Mercury Programs launch in South Australian schools
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation has kick-started two programs for South Australian primary and high schools, introducing students to the excitement of space science and technology in the classroom.
For the full announcement, click HERE
For more information about the scholarships and prizes, click HERE .
2 March 2022
2022 Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Fund Announced
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation today launched its 2022 Space Education Fund, with an expanded set of scholarship and prize programs, to a value of more than $300,000, creating high-quality space education opportunities for students and researchers across Australia.
For the full announcement, click HERE
12 January 2022
First Italo-Australian Space Applications Workshop on Earth Observation Opportunities for Space Start-ups
– Monday 31 January 2022 at 5.25 pm Australian Central Summer Time
Space-based applications are helping the world to be more sustainable in many areas of life as well as improving economic competitiveness and efficiency.
Earth observation and remote sensing are enhancing scientific understanding of water cycles, air quality, forests and other aspects of the natural environment. These ‘new’ applications involve private companies, universities and research organisations. Start-up businesses are also being established in this sector in order to develop and commercialise exciting and innovative products and services.
This bilateral workshop will provide an update on space applications start-up projects in Italy and Australia and will explore new opportunities for international collaboration in activities such as environmental monitoring and action and sustainable resource management and conservation.
Registation is free.
9 July 2021
Andy Thomas Space Foundation partners with Playford Trust in New Space Engineering Scholarships
The Playford Trust and the Andy Thomas Space Foundation will partner to provide four $5000 scholarships that will encourage high-achieving school leavers to study aerospace engineering at the University of Adelaide in 2022.
Click here to read the joint announcement.
1 July 2021
Andy Thomas Space Foundation Receives DGR Status
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation is pleased to announce that the Australian Parliament has passed legislation that bestows DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status on the Foundation. The newly-acquired status, which is retrospective to July 1, 2020, means donations of more than $2 to the Foundation are tax deductible.
Click here to read the Foundation’s announcement.
20 November 2020
The Foundation was launched today. We received the following messages of congratulations.
Dr Andrew Thomas AO
Australian Astronaut
Hon. Steven Marshall MP
Premier of South Australia
Dr Megan Clark AC
Head, Australian Space Agency
2 March 2022
2022 Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Fund Announced
The Andy Thomas Space Foundation today launched its 2022 Space Education Fund, with an expanded set of scholarship and prize programs, to a value of more than $300,000, creating high-quality space education opportunities for students and researchers across Australia.
For the full announcement, click HERE
19 March 2024
NSW Primary Schools Are Invited To Apply for the NSW Space Discovery Program.
In the lead-up to the 76th International Astronautical Congress: IAC-2025 Sydney, The Andy Thomas Space Foundation and Australian-owned EdTech company, Makers Empire, are joining forces to deliver an engaging education program for 32 NSW schools. This program is supported by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Investment, Enterprise and Trade.
For the full announcement, click HERE
Mr Peter Nikoloff – Executive Director (Acting)
email: p.nikoloff@andythomas.foundation
Ms Darcey Watson – Executive Officer
email: d.watson@andythomas.foundation
Inspiring the next generation of space leaders
The Andy Thomas
Space Foundation
Major institutions, corporations, SME’s, other philanthropic foundations and private individuals can all contribute to and assist our mission.
Your support can take the form of:
- Scholarships
- Annual Sponsorships
- Collaborative internship programs at secondary and tertiary level
- Funding for in-school space education programs
- In-kind and volunteer support
For more information please contact us by email
contactus@andythomas.foundation
The Foundation is committed to promoting and supporting the highest quality space activities in Australia to drive progress in education, research and innovation to ensure that the space sector is a key contributor to Australia’s economic transformation.
Partners
Government Supporters
Corporate Sponsors
Professional Partners
