Space Careers: From Mining the Earth to Mining the Moon
Michelle Keegan, 2023 Australian Space Professional of the Year, explains how mining engineering and remote operations are creating new opportunities for Australia in space.
[00:00:10] Michelle Keegan never initially planned on a space career. While she loved math and science in school, she pursued mining engineering. During her degree, she remembers a lecturer talking about mining asteroids and thinking, “Surely I’m not going to see that in my lifetime”—yet today, asteroid and lunar mining are active areas of research.
The Link Between Mining and Space
[00:01:48] Mining engineering is a four-year degree that covers physics, chemistry, and mine design. It involves learning how to understand rocks, extract materials, and keep people safe underground. These same principles apply to creating a sustainable presence on the Moon.
[00:02:53] Australia is a global leader in remote operations. At Rio Tinto, Michelle worked on the “Miner of the Future” concept, where 17 different mines in Western Australia are operated from a center 1,700 kilometers away. This capability to manage heavy equipment and move a billion tons of material from a distance is exactly what is needed for operations on the lunar surface.
Technologies Shared by Both Worlds
[00:03:34] The “Next Generation Mine” uses several technologies that are also critical for space exploration:
- Renewable Energy & Battery Electric Vehicles: Essential for reducing the footprint and emissions of mines on Earth and sustaining habitats on the Moon.
- Automation: Using robots to perform tasks in dangerous or distant environments.
- Optical Communications: High-speed data transmission used underground, undersea, and in the vacuum of space.
Advice for Students
[00:05:09] Michelle encourages students to look past the old “dark and dirty” image of mining and see it as a creative and technical field. Whether through TAFE or university, there are many paths into the industry.
[00:05:54] “Do what you really love,” Michelle advises. The space industry needs more than just astronauts; it needs electrical experts, project managers, and technology specialists. By following emerging technologies and staying curious, students can align their journey toward a bright future in STEM.
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