Space nerds need plain talk: Industry boss

Space scientists must learn to explain their work in plain English, lose their image as "nerds" and "nutters", and match projects to the nation's demands, an industry leader says.

Brett Biddington, chair of the Space Industry Association of Australia, also told a gathering of space scientists in Canberra on Monday that public officials must be able to understand how money is being invested.

"Politicians view space as expensive and run by a very odd mix of people: nerds, carpetbaggers, enthusiasts and nutters," Biddington said.

He said almost all space groups approach the government for funding but typically they were unable to explain how the government or the wider community would benefit.

"These sorts of approaches are also typically long on assertion and exceptionally thin on evidence."

They also involve more "technology push" than "user pull".

"Instead of the user community saying we need something, it's the technologists saying have we got something for you," Biddington said.

"And they're trying to push it into the system without having developed a market, before identifying a clear need."

Biddington said it was vital that scientists communicated to members of parliament in language that ordinary people could understand.

"In order to achieve coherence and consistency in the narrative, clarity and precision in the language at the top level, technical terms and jargon have to give way to plain, compelling English."

Biddington said Australia's space sector must continue a dialogue with the federal government, but there also needed to be a recognised champion of space in Australia.

While investment in human space flight is not on Australia's agenda, astronomy is very much so, he said.

"Astronomy is ... an integral part of the Australian space story as far as government is concerned. It's part of our space narrative," Biddington said.

Space will remain a cornerstone of Australia's alliance with the US and is expected to remain so for the forseeable future.

"That has fundamental implications for where we make our investments in space technology, and we will continue to do so into the future," he said.

Biddington also recommended scientists congratulate science minister, Kim Carr, for recognising the importance of space and for supporting Australia's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Australia has been shortlisted to host the SKA, the world's most powerful radio telescope. The only other proposed location is South Africa.

If Australia's bid is successful, the facility will be constructed at Murchison in the mid-north of WA. An announcement is expected in February 2012.

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