The second day of the Conference was Chaired by Mr Philip Young, (left) President of the Sydney Chapter of the National Space Society of Australia (NSSA).

To open the day's proceedings, Mr Roger Franzen of Auspace Ltd spoke on the opportunities available in 'Commercial Remote Sensing Applications', in particular referring to the ARIES satellite project.

ARIES (Australian Resource Information and Environment Satellite) aims to design, build and launch a low Earth orbiting satellite carrying a hyperspectral sensor capable of identifying materials over the entire surface of the planet using reflected visible and infrared light. This will provide new data not able to be seen by any currently operating satellite system.

The ARIES consortium coordinated by CSIRO's Division of Exploration and Mining and including Auspace Limited and the Australian Centre for Remote Sensing (ACRES), will deliver a commercially oriented end-to-end information system designed to acquire, process and deliver data and value-added products to a worldwide market.

The session was rounded off with presentations by Mr Robert Tack from Radarsat (Canada) and a dual talk by Professor Zhang Qingpu and Mr Wei Chun representing the China Academy of Surveying and Mapping. As with most conferences, the coffee breaks usually turn out to be some of the most interesting places for business discussions to take place.

The relaxed atmosphere generated at the ASDC has always been one of the most commented on aspects by delegates. "I feel comfortable doing business like this," said one of the international delegates. "People are far more willing to put their cards on the table when you're speaking with them. You know who you're dealing with in an open and personal atmosphere." The first of the conference sessions on 'Australasian Activities' began with Dr Bruce Middleton of APAC (Asia-Pacific Aerospace Consultants) thanking the National Space Society of Australia, for helping to redefine the language.

"The Society, by holding a session on Australasian activities, is defining the word to mean Australian and Asian, not just the western Pacific." said Dr Middleton (left).

Dr Middleton's space consultancy business, APAC also markets the satellite systems analysis software called STK (Satellite Tool Kit) which enables users to design and display complex orbital parameters and satellite missions directly from their desktop computers. The Australian launch market is about to be redefined the industry through the introduction of new government legislation.

The Space Activities Bill will be considered by the Australian parliament in the next few months, and Mr Elio Grohovaz (below left) from the Department of Industry Science & Tourism spoke on its content.

The Space Activities Bill will provide for Australia's obligations under the United Nations treaties on space launches/payloads, and the international conventions on liability.

The Department of Industry Science & Tourism, through the Space Policy Unit are working with the ASICC (Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce) to develop a regulatory regime that will foster the commercial launch business in Australia. After a highly entertaining luncheon with guest speaker, Mr Jim Benson from SpaceDev, the conference settled down to listen to further activities happening in Australia.

The presentation given by Dr Brian Embleton (right), Executive Director of the FEDSat project, raised a lot of questions from the audience.

FEDSat is a government supported project to deliver an Australian-built satellite into LEO to mark the centenary of Federation in the year 2001.

Debate centred around the final configuration of the platform, and discussion of future FEDSat-like projects.

The afternoon session was devoted to talks on geostationary satellite systems, with presentations from Optus Communications, Pan Am Sat and Space Systems/Loral.

The final event of the day was a Gala Conference Dinner hosted by Mr Kirby Ikin representing GIO Australia.

During the evening attended by Conference delegates, staff and guests, was the presentation to Dr Gordon Pike (left) from Optus Communications, of the National Space Society of Australia’s "1997 Space Pioneer Award".

Dr Pike was given the award for his tireless effort in helping to create a greater awareness for the benefits of space in the wider community and for his long service in developing Australia’s satellite communications systems.