Former NASA JPL leader Larry James welcomed to Monash University ranks in game-changing strategic appointment
Monash University and SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat), 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 commence at Monash on 3 June as distinguished Professor of Space Innovation and will act as Strategic Advisor to SmartSat, working alongside leading multidisciplinary researchers to spur innovation and collaboration.
Working closely with the Monash faculties of Engineering, Information Technology and Science, the Professor of Space Innovation is expected to make significant international leadership contributions and foster excellence in the teaching, research, industry engagement of aerospace and related fields.
Lt Gen James will be instrumental in establishing linkages across international aerospace agencies, institutions and industry, strengthening Monash’s impact, capability in the field. He recently visited the Monash Clayton campus to hear from the inaugural interns of the National Indigenous Space Agency which gave five Indigenous Australian university students a once in a lifetime internship with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US, and to learn more about Monash’s existing space-related research and students teams like Monash Nova Rover and Monash High Powered Rocketry.
Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Senior Vice-President at Monash, Professor Mike Ryan said he was pleased to officially welcome Lt Gen James to the University.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lt Gen James to the University. Monash is home to the world’s first Indigenous space academy – National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) – which supports First Nations students to intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory where Lt Gen James has strong links,” Professor Ryan said.
“We look forward to Lt Gen James’ valuable contributions to boost our space research capabilities, and to support Indigenous Australians’ careers in space.”
Lt Gen James said he was excited to relocate to Australia at such a pivotal time for the nation’s space industry.
“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. I am also keen to strengthen my connections and share expertise with defence space command and the Australian Space Agency,” Lt Gen James said.
“At such a critical time for our sector, I am looking forward to contributing to the growth of Australia’s space capabilities and advancing the US-Australia partnership.”
SmartSat Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Koronios, said Lt Gen James’ breadth of knowledge and experience would be a critical asset to the multi-institutional teams at Australia’s leading space research centre.
“Australia is currently grappling with many challenges, be it environmental, geopolitical or societal, the answer to which lies in space technologies. We’re delighted to have Lt Gen James on board to impart his experience and knowledge as we seek to address these challenges for the benefit of our nation,” Professor Koronios said.
Enrico Palermo, Head of Australian Space Agency, welcomed Lt Gen James’ appointment as an indication of the important role Australia plays in the international space sector.
“Space is built on international cooperation, and this appointment builds on Australia’s long-standing space partnership with the United States and NASA ,” Mr Palermo said.
“Lieutenant General James brings a wealth of experience in daring mighty things at JPL, which will help steer and elevate the work of SmartSat CRC and Monash University – driving further growth and investment across Australia’s space industry.”
Lt Gen 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was also a Draper Fellow at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory in Cambridge.