Lt Gen Larry James joins SmartSat & Monash University

Monash University and SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat) have announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Larry James, a distinguished former leader at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and retired lieutenant general with the US Air Force. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the space research capabilities of both Monash University and SmartSat.

Based in Sydney, Lieutenant General James will take on the role of Strategic Advisor at SmartSat, where he will be instrumental in facilitating international collaborations. Furthermore, he will join Monash University as a Professor of Space Innovation, contributing his extensive experience to the institution's research endeavours.

Lieutenant General James brings an impressive resume. He served as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer at NASA's JPL for 11 years. During his tenure, he managed annual revenues of USD $2.6 billion and oversaw a workforce of more than 6,000 employees engaged in various fields, including solar system exploration, Mars missions, astronomy, physics, Earth science, and interplanetary network programs, alongside managing all business operations.

Prior to his tenure at NASA, Lt Gen James was the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance at the Pentagon. His responsibilities included policy formulation, planning, evaluation, oversight, and leadership of the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. He led a considerable cohort comprising over 20,000 officers and civilians within the US Air Force ISR Enterprise.

SmartSat Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Koronios, expressed great enthusiasm regarding the new appointment. "Lt Gen James brings an unprecedented depth of space technology, innovation, program management, and strategy development experience. His knowledge and expertise will be instrumental in developing future strategies, fostering partnerships with key stakeholders, and enhancing our international space sector relationships," he remarked. Koronios emphasised the potential impact of this expertise on addressing various Australian challenges through the adoption of space technologies.

At Monash University, Lt Gen James is expected to work closely with the faculties of Engineering, Information Technology, and Science. Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Mike Ryan, underscored the significance of this collaboration. "We are thrilled to welcome Lt Gen James to the University. His strong links with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will be invaluable, particularly to initiatives such as the National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), which supports First Nations students to intern at NASA." Professor Ryan highlighted the valuable contributions Lt Gen James is expected to make in boosting Monash University's space research capabilities and supporting Indigenous Australians' careers in the space sector.

Lieutenant General James, in a statement, expressed eagerness to relocate to Australia and contribute to the nation's burgeoning space industry. "The opportunities for Australia's space sector are immense. I hope to share my experience and knowledge with the talented teams at both SmartSat and Monash University. Additionally, I look forward to strengthening my connections and sharing expertise with Defence Space Command and the Australian Space Agency." He is particularly enthusiastic about advancing the US-Australia partnership in the space sector.

Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, welcomed Lt Gen James' appointment, noting the symbolic importance of this move for Australia's role in the international space sector. "Space is built on international cooperation, and this appointment underscores Australia's long-standing space partnership with the United States and NASA," he stated. Palermo hailed Lt Gen James' extensive experience and anticipated positive impact on the growth and investment within Australia's space industry.

Lieutenant General James holds a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the US Air Force Academy and a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was also a Draper Fellow at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory in Cambridge.