PROGRAM

Boost Your Connections: Networking for Australia’s Rocket Systems Future

Date:

Thursday 12 September

Time:

1500 – 1600

Registration:

Land Forces 2024 Registration is now closed.

If you are already registered, you can Amend Your Registration to include this session.

This event is open to all Land Forces trade visitors, exhibitors and conference delegates.

NOTE: While attendance to this session is free for all participants, entry is not guaranteed. Seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, and once the venue reaches its maximum capacity, access will be closed.

Location:

Meeting Room 213, Convention Level 2, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Dive into the future of Australia's defence and space capabilities at our exclusive networking event. Meet industry innovators, defence strategists, academic experts and government leaders, all united by the mission to develop a world-class workforce in rocket systems for defence and space. Discover how the Australian Rocket Systems Training Network (ARSTN) is creating opportunities and fostering collaboration to meet the critical needs of our nation. Whether you’re looking to connect, collaborate, or contribute, this event is your launchpad. Join us and be part of the effort to build Australia’s future rocket systems workforce!

SPEAKERS

Dr Roger Lough AM

Chair
Australian Rocket Systems Training Network

Roger M Lough (Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Adelaide University) retired as a member of the Australian Senior Executive Service in 2008 after 44 years in Government service directly associated with Defence. He finished his public service career as Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist (CDS) and CEO of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), the R&D arm of the Department of Defence. He is a Fellow of the Australian Association of Technological Sciences and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In late 2008, he was awarded a US National Intelligence Community medallion, and in 2009 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to national security. As CDS/CEODSTO, he was responsible for managing the Australian defence R&D program supporting emerging technologies, future acquisition decisions and improvements to existing equipments and their methods of employment. He was a member of the Defence Executive, and principal adviser to the Minister for Defence, the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force on science and technology. During his career in DSTO, he led the laboratory specializing in aeronautical and maritime technologies, and, previously, several operating divisions covering weapons systems and operational research. Prior to this he was a weapons engineer specializing in solid propellant rocket design and test.

In the mid 1970’s he was posted on exchange to the US Army and the US Navy, and in the mid 1980’s was a Defence attaché at the Embassy in Washington. Since 2008, he has advised state governments, industry and academia of emerging Defence needs and the technology strategies to meet them., including as a past member of the Victorian Defence Council, past Chair of the Victorian Defence Science Institute Advisory Board and past Deputy Chair of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC). He currently consults to the RAND Corporation, a major US based think tank, and has been involved in the development of the Australian Naval Shipbuilding Plan and the proposed acquisition of the AUKUS submarine. He is married to Diana and they have three adult children and 5 grandchildren. He lives in Glen Waverley, Victoria and is an active member of Rotary.

Professor Matthew Cleary

Director
Australian Rocket Systems Training Network

Matthew Cleary is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering within the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at The University of Sydney. He is an internationally recognised research leader in computational models for turbulent combustion and multiphase fluid flows. Fundamentally, his research aims to address the competing issues of improving the performance and efficiency of combustion engines whilst also lowering the fuel consumption and reducing emission of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere.

Matthew is working with partners in industry, defence, and at other universities to develop novel propulsion systems, including rotating detonation engine, solid rocket motor and hybrid motor cycles. Matthew is the Director of the Australian Rocket Systems Training Network and supervisor of the USYD Rocketry Team. Matthew has a PhD in combustion from the University of Sydney and Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture undergraduate degrees from the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales.

Hosted by The University of Sydney

For any conference enquires, please contact the Conferences Team at conferences@amda.com.au