As the Director of Technology Uplift, Arvind Ramana leads the Agency’s programs focussed on space technologies from early phase studies to operational readiness. Arvind’s portfolio of programs includes the Moon to Mars Program, ISI India, National Student Space Challenge and AusVenture EO. Prior to this role Arvind as Assistant Manager Space Technology, Earth Observation and Advanced Communications in the CTO Team of the Australian Space Agency, supported the Agency’s roadmap development and implementation particularly on Earth Observation and Advanced Communications, which will guide the advancement of the country’s space capability over the next decade. He is also a point of technical expertise supporting technical engagements with Australian industry and international stakeholders. Arvind has represented the CTO team in various assessment panels including the Agency grant programs and DSTG NGTF SAR evaluation panel.

Arvind is an experienced space systems engineer, business developer and project manager with skillsets across the board of space missions lifecycle with specific focus on space systems engineering, Avionics and Flight Software Engineering, Mission design Studies, Integration and System Level Testing, Flight Qualification, Launch integration, Launch and Early Operations.  Prior to this, Arvind worked on a number of 500kg + class space missions in Singapore – developing and qualifying mission critical avionics and payloads at ST Electronics - Satellite Systems - Singapore.  Arvind worked at UNSW Canberra Space as the Flight Software and Embedded Systems lead – leading the development of 5+ cubesat class technology development missions for Defence customers. He also developed 10+ Phase A/B studies in collaboration with various partner organisations on several space mission types ranging from scientific exploration, earth observation, advanced communications and space robotics. Arvind was responsible for recruiting, mentoring and leading the Flight Software systems team. Arvind also has close working relationships and awareness of advanced manufacturing for space particularly in Australia, Singapore and India. Arvind holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communications from India, a Masters in Embedded Systems from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore with Space Systems engineering training with Satrec Initiative (South Korea).       

Arvind is passionate about Space Technology and its profound positive impacts on the quality of life on earth and off earth in the future. His professional experience spans across nationally critical operational missions to technology demonstration nanosats.  Arvind loves transferring the knowledge and learnings to achieve balance between the different schools of space systems engineering.

His hobbies include philately, numismatics, vintage electronics collection, cricket, badminton and taking long walks with his wife and two young boys. For event and media enquiries, contact media@space.gov.au or go to space.gov.au.