The Australian Space Agency is getting a new boss, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing Enrico Palermo will begin his tenure in the new year.
Palermo will join the agency from Virgin Galactic, where he is currently the company's chief operating officer and president of its aerospace-system manufacturing organisation, The Spaceship Company.
See also: Virgin Galactic announces preparations for its first spaceflight, investors unconvinced[1]
"In its first two years, the Australian Space Agency has made significant progress and achieved many firsts. I look forward to working with the Agency team to continue the mission of growing and transforming Australia's space industry," Palermo said.
The University of Western Australia graduate will return home to fill the role when inaugural head Dr Megan Clark finishes up in late December. Clark will commence as the chair of the Australian Space Agency Advisory Board in the New Year.
Clarke joined the agency in July 2018[2]. She was previously the head of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
"Mr Palermo's leadership will rocket Australia toward our goal of becoming a major player in the international space industry, while providing benefits across our economy," Morrison said.
"I extend my deepest thanks to Dr Clark who has led the Agency from its infancy in 2018 and set a clear path forward."
The Australian government cemented plans to return to space[3] during the 2018-19 Budget when it committed AU$41 million[4] to create the Australian Space Agency.
The agency was given the mandate to triple the size of Australia's domestic space industry up to AU$12 billion by 2030, generating 20,000 new Australian jobs, and getting more kids to take up STEM-focused careers.
As detailed in a roadmap released in early April 2019[5], the space agency plans to transform