Invitation

Australia is a strong and prosperous nation that, given its location in the Southern Hemisphere, bridging the Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans, relies heavily on air-breathing propulsion to remain an integral part of the world. As a consequence, Australia is strongly dependent upon the gas turbine for air transport to service our tourist industry and maintain international trade via our own airlines and those that service our shores. The Australian Defence Force are also heavy users of gas turbines in their aircraft, ships and even tanks. In addition, Australia has a preeminent position as a world leader in hypersonic research, particularly in the flight-testing of scramjet propulsion systems.

Australia has a longstanding tradition in ISABE and has been a strong supporter since the beginning. UNSW Canberra and its academic, industrial, defence and government partners would like to welcome the ISABE conference back to Australia in 2019. It will have been almost a quarter of a century since the ISABE conference last graced our shores and it is only fitting that we now hold the 2019 conference in Canberra, the nation’s capital.

Canberra is a dynamic city, often known as the “Bush Capital”. It combines the nation’s grand institutions and a vibrant restaurant and café culture in the idyllic setting of open spaces and countryside, bringing together lakes, rolling plains, forest and mountains. It is populated by all manner of native flora and fauna most especially our kangaroos. Furthermore, Canberra is best experienced during the September Spring time when we will host ISABE2019, which will also coincide with the start of Canberra’s famous Floriade festival.

Canberra is home to two of the nation’s leading universities, as well as the headquarters of the Australia Defence Force, AirServices Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau and the newly established Australian Space Agency. Hidden in the hinterland of the Australian Capital Territory, within half an hour’s drive of the city, the tracking station at Tidbinbilla forms a vital part of NASA’s Deep Space Communications Network, one of three such ground stations spread around the globe. Tidbinbilla is now part of Canberra’s rapidly growing role as the space hub of Australia.

We would be honoured to welcome you all back to Australia in 2019 for the 24 th ISABE Conference, where you can experience the best of what Canberra has to offer.

Professor Andrew Neely

ISABE Vice President and ISABE2019 Conference Chair