From armoured vehicles on land to operations in space, Corporal Dion Caskey and Trooper Jake Lenehan were among the 16 graduates of the Australian Defence Force’s inaugural Space Initial Employment Training course, held from January 28 to May 14.

Training included exposure to operational space scenarios, including space operations, recon processes, satellite usage and the impact of space capabilities in conflict.

Corporal Caskey transferred to the space operations specialist category after about 12 years as a tank crewman, with the decision influenced by his partner who is already part of the space workforce.

“I didn’t realise there was a whole domain that was going to emerge all of a sudden,” Corporal Caskey said.

“Seeing that role gave me a different insight into options for my career and meant I wanted to move into it.”

During the course, participants learnt about orbital mechanics, including Newton’s and Kepler’s laws, and how they affect satellite movement and operations.

“Understanding how spacecraft move, rather than just watching it, was really cool,” Corporal Caskey said.

“I didn’t realise how significant space was to Defence, Australia and globally, it’s one of the first things affected during conflict.”

'Seeing how fast things move in space, trying to visualise that is just phenomenal.'

Trooper Lenehan moved into the role after 11 years as a cavalryman, including service as an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) gunner, and having gained exposure to space operations through time in the joint commercial operations team in Adelaide.

His move into space operations was prompted by a change in personal circumstances, the opportunity to remain in Defence but change category.

“I never saw myself doing this, it wasn’t really a thing when I was first in the cavalry,” Trooper Lenehan said.

He said the transition marked a shift for him from traditional land operations to a technical and rapidly evolving domain.

“On the course we started with the basics, understanding how objects move in space, then built into capabilities and how we integrate with the other domains,” Trooper Lenehan said.

A final capstone exercise required members to plan how space capabilities operations are conducted as an operational domain, as well as support the other four domains.

Posted to 1 Space Surveillance Unit, his role will involve remote system operation, contributing to tracking and monitoring objects in space, known as Space Domain Awareness, using Australian and allied capabilities. 

“We’ll be operating telescopes and radar to track space objects and build space situational awareness,” Trooper Lenehan said.

“Seeing how fast things move in space, trying to visualise that is just phenomenal.”

To learn more about a career in space, visit ADF Careers.