Dr Space Junk presents 5 questions.

Dr Space Junk presents 5 questions.

Dr Alice Gorman, Space Archaeologist at Flinders University

By Kelly Yeoh

Alice Gorman is a space archaeologist at Flinders University, Adelaide, and a member of the Advisory Council oft he Space Industry Association of Australia. Every issue she will showcase up-and-coming talent, thought leaders, and companies in the Australian space sector.

In this issue, her guest is Kelly Yeoh. Kelly is a lawyer and former computer programmer with a lifelong love of space, and a far more recent realisation that she could forge a career within the sector. Kelly is one third of the team behind Blue Dwarf Space, with big plans to revolutionise regulatory processes to make space more accessible, while still ensuring security considerations and ethical integrity are maintained.

1. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?

I think, as a parent, I might be obliged to say“ my 13yo” ;)

Blue Dwarf is at such an early stage, I really can’t speak to that as an accomplishment. I would have to say all the work I have put into getting to this point. The re-education from technology to law, positioning myself to enter the space sector and with enough passion and enthusiasm to not only be granted a scholarship to attend the International Space University Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP), but now also the ICC Venture Catalyst Space programme (based on our proposal for Blue Dwarf).

2. What was the most useful subject you studied at school or university for your current career?

Oh gosh, this is a tough one. Having recently completed the SHSSP, I wouldn’t know where to begin! Our start-up plans are a mixture of my former life as a computer programmer, usability specialist, and teacher, intermingled with my legal studies, and I couldn’t really say which component is the more predominant one. This SHSSP, however, has left my mind spinning with excitement and possibility, and with afar better understanding of a broad range of considerations when providing a service dealing with compliance requirements in the space industry.

3. What are you currently reading and how does it relate to your space work?

Book: Beyond Entrepreneurship by Jim Collins and Bill Lazier, because I am very new to this start-up business and want to learn everything I can, without reinventing the wheel.

Podcasts: we often listen to unsolved crime whilst taking road trips, which I’m expecting to never have to apply to my career in the space sector! We also often listen to Space Nuts, and always love Annie Handmer’s Space Junk podcast.

If you’re looking for something to read, might I recommend our (SHSSP) paper: “Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Optimizing Space Mission Strategies. Test Case: Optimize Lunar Outpost Specifications”

4. If you went on a one-way trip to Mars tomorrow, what is the one item you couldn’t leave without and why?

My 13yo (because they are watching me answer this question). A gaming device with a card full of Earth-based entertainment so that I wouldn’t miss home quite so much, and because we wouldn’t be able to rely on the Earth-rise effect for entertainment and connection. Or a guitar.

I am excited about what we can accomplish .Australians have a long history of incredible innovation and achievement, with so much of our efforts moving to international shores where there is a ready and willing market. I would love to see us really celebrating and owning our own successes, encouraging new and forward thinking, without losing who we are, and what we owe to each other and our environment.