Associate Professor Matthew Richardson

Chief Technology Officer and Director of Space Education Programs, iLAuNCH Trailblazer

Matt has spent the last decade working in aerospace and defence industries, both in Australia and Japan.

His experience across academia, government and the international aerospace sector has positioned him well to serve as iLAuNCH’s Chief Technology Officer. In this role, he provides strategic technical leadership across the Trailblazer’s portfolio of projects, working closely with researchers, industry partners and government to guide innovation, strengthen collaboration and ensure the program delivers technologies that will advance Australia’s sovereign space capability.

Matt also leads the development and implementation of innovative space engineering and science programs in collaboration with iLAuNCH partners – the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of South Australia (UniSA). As an Associate Professor at UniSQ, Matt will contribute to the University’s mission of advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of space exploration. 

Before iLAuNCH, Matt was Space Technology Assistant Director at Australian Space Agency and prior to that, working internationally at the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) as an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Engineering. Matt’s research focused on space transportation, propulsion and energy systems. Matt also taught at the Institute for Innovation in International Engineering Education, where he facilitated joint satellite design student projects between UTokyo and Australian universities.