How can Australia strengthen its space capabilities through AI, international partnerships and closer integration between commercial and defence systems?

In this special Australian Space Summit & Exhibition 2026 edition of the Space Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Mel French, director of operations, and David Blair, director of space missile defence and advanced concepts at L3Harris Technologies.

The trio discuss the evolving Australian space industry, the growing importance of collaboration between commercial and defence sectors, and how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are transforming space and missile defence capabilities.

The podcast conversation includes the following topics:

• The outlook for Australia's space industry, including the growing maturity of local companies and the importance of international partnerships.
• The emergence of a new "golden age" of space exploration driven by rapid technological innovation and renewed human spaceflight ambitions.
• The role of Australia in space surveillance, missile warning and weather monitoring.
• The growing role of AI in processing large volumes of sensor data and accelerating decision making.
• The importance of dual-use technology and the increasingly blurred line between commercial and military space capabilities.

Finally, the discussion looks ahead to future L3Harris programs, including missile tracking, Golden Dome networks, sovereign SATCOM and positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, while considering how Australia and the United States can continue to deepen their space partnership.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Space Connect team