Monash University and SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre have appointed Lieutenant General Larry James, former Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a retired lieutenant general with the US Air Force, to boost their respective space research strategies.
Lt Gen James will act as Strategic Advisor to SmartSat, working alongside the world class research team to further facilitate opportunities for international collaboration, and is set to join Monash University as Professor of Space Innovation.
Prior to his retirement from active duty in 2013, Lt Gen James was the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at the Pentagon. He was responsible to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the US Air Force for policy formulation, planning, evaluation, oversight, and leadership of Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and led more than 20,000 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance officers, both enlisted and civilians, across the US Air Force ISR Enterprise.
Lt Gen James served as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 11 years, during which time he was responsible for managing the Laboratory's $2.6 billion in annual revenues and over 6,000 strong staff working in solar system exploration, Mars, astronomy, physics, Earth science, interplanetary network programs, and all business operations.
“The opportunities for Australia’s space sector are huge, and I hope to share my experience and knowledge with the talented teams at both institutions," Lt Gen James said.
"I am also keen to strengthen my connections and share expertise with Defence Space Command and the Australian Space Agency."