Session 2.3b: Update - Space Operations & Technology update from Optus 40 years' experience in Space.
Tracks
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| Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Bradman Theatre |
Details
Optus is the only geosynchronous satellite owner and operator in Australia. This year marks our 40th year of space operations after launching AUSSAT A1 back in 1985.
Over the last 40 years we have invested over $3b into space infrastructure, assets, ground stations and workforce - having launched 11 satellites over this time - two for the Department of Defence and now managing 10 satellites today from our Satellite Control Centre, including NBN Skymusters.
And we remain on the leading edge, delivering our multi-orbit strategy through partnerships with all key LEOSat operators (existing and new), evolving our C2 systems, developing and helping innovate the future of direct to device, and launching our own dual-use LEO program.
We have a number of exciting programs to update including:
1. Celebrating 40 years in Space providing services to Australians and Defence Forces - including ADFTV;
2. the world's only third ever Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) docking of MEV-1 to our satellite D3 and associated Space Domain Awareness;
3. the evolution of our SATCOM Operational Management Command and Control System (SOMS) (operational in Defence today); and
4. announcement of a 3rd LEOSat provider partnership
5. a unique pathfinder LEO collaboration program, partially funded by Navy and DSTG - that is open for new collaborations to launch payloads into Space.
Speaker
Mr Nick Miller
Senior Director, Solutions & Strategy
Optus Satellite & Space
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Biography
Nick Miller leads Solutions, Innovation and Strategy within the Optus Satellite & Space business.
Nick began his career as a Telecommunications Engineer at Optus in 1996, pursuing many areas of opportunity, experience and growth across Operations, Engineering, Marketing and Sales. In 2008 he completed an MBA at MGSM.
In 2011, Nick left Optus to lead SpeedCast expansion into major regional projects in Papua New Guinea, focused on Australian Dept of Home Affairs and Border Protection (Manus Island), and Mining and Energy customers such as ExxonMobil, eventually becoming the VP, Sales for Asia Pacific managing three sales teams from Hong Kong (North Asia), Singapore (Southeast Asia) and Australia Pacific.
He returned to Optus in 2017 as Director Sales & Marketing with the strategy to diversify the business from traditional broadcasting into Government and Defence. Nick enabled a strategic solution for Government successfully launched in late 2024 after handing off to the team, while from 2020 he led the AUSDEFCON Strategic tender response for Defence JP9102, collaborating with Melco, Thales & Raytheon.
He is now in charge of the development and evolution of Commercial and Defence Space products & solutions leading Solutions, Product, Marketing, Innovation and Strategy.
