On an upward trajectory in space
Space used to be considered the final frontier of realistic career goals. But as 40 Under 40 alumnus Dr Catherine Grace proves, in South Australia it’s actually a reality.
Watching Star Trek as a child with her brother, Catherine Grace always imagined herself in the role of the chief medical officer of the USS Enterprise.
Now the director of space at the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC), she parlayed a career in medicine and clinical research into one delivering the state a thriving and enduring space system.
“When we think about good medicine, what comes to mind is good science, good communication, risk management, the value of life, the value of innovative research and what technology can do for humanity,” said Grace, who is a 2024 alumnus of the InDaily 40 Under 40 Awards and will be the keynote speaker at the 2025 awards in June. Nominations close Monday, 17 March 2025.
“The same rings true for space. In order to understand the sector and the benefits it brings to earth, one should know about science, about the earth, about our people and most importantly about how to communicate about the value of space.”
That value can be quantified and is significant, she said.
“We don’t invest in space with taxpayers’ dollars for the sake of space – space itself has a huge return on investment for every dollar spent.
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“SASIC has funded programs that have received a 17 to one ROI investing in our businesses playing on the global scale.
She said “space absolutely matters to our everyday lives” and pointed to examples like the ubiquitous use of GPS, a satellite-based navigation system, which facilitates everything from credit card payments to soil monitoring for crop yields; the use of satellite imagery to track water levels and water health; and the use of satellite-enabled technology for Australia’s national security.
“Space isn’t about what’s up there, it’s actually about what it does for us down here, and that’s exactly why we have fantastic support from the government, bipartisan, to make this innovative technology, this innovative ecosystem,” Grace said.
“That’s really how you make economies more complex. So, instead of just focusing on what we can provide in terms of natural resources and exporting that, we can export our intelligence, capabilities, businesses and innovation ecosystem.”
Among the recent projects SASIC has facilitated is the first locally-designed and built satellite, Kanyini, a partnership between companies Inovor Technologies and Myriota and the Australian Government-funded SmartSat CRC, which is based at Lot Fourteen.
The state-owned satellite launched into Low Earth orbit aboard SpaceX Transporter 11 in August last year.
Supporting the growth of the local space industry, the $6.5 million Kanyini Mission is also allowing the government and South Australians to “use space data in their everyday lives”, said Grace.
Last week, the first images taken from Kanyini were released to the public.
One of the state’s goals for the space industry is to have a full launch and returns ecosystem, and in November the state’s planning minister Nick Champion granted the final government approval for the rocket launching complex at Whalers Way, Eyre Peninsula.
It is anticipated the first launches will take place at the end of this year.
“What SASIC has achieved is really to bring space home to South Australians,” said Grace.
“Space isn’t something far away or distant beyond imagination.
“It is happening in our city and in our regions, ideas developed here are headed to the Moon and being used to leverage on the leading capabilities that SA already has.”
Grace herself is also on an upward trajectory.
“I can’t give away too much, but being a 40 Under 40 really has helped skyrocket my career,” she said.
“Not only have I been able to connect with some brilliant South Australians who are doing things everyday to make SA a fantastic place to live, learn and grow, but through those connections we have been able to conspire on some outcomes which will be out-of-this-world.
“Watch this space!”
The 40 Under 40 Awards program helps to bring attention to a new, younger generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders in the state.
Applications for the 2025 awards close on Monday, 17 March.
