UQ Aerospace Grad's 'giant Leap' Towards Stellar Career

Liam Heffernan has been a self-confessed 'space nerd' for as long as he can remember.

His fascination was fostered early by his grandfather as the pair pored over books about rockets, satellites and far-flung galaxies during family visits.

"It was a shared passion and as a little kid I was always curious and wanting to know more," Mr Heffernan said.

"I later got into science fiction depictions of space, which is still an interest of mine."

While completing years 11 and 12 at Ferny Grove State High School, where he was Dux in 2021, Mr Heffernan even embarked on extra space-related study about the political history of NASA's Apollo program.

"I guess I was always drawn to a career in aerospace," Mr Heffernan said.

"For me it represents the last frontier of human endeavour."

Family inspiration

Space was also far more than an interest or hobby for Mr Heffernan's grandfather, Richard Tonkin.

"He was part of the team that produced the first satellite built in Australia," Mr Heffernan said.

"During his law degree in the mid-1960s, he met some engineering and physics students and joined the University of Melbourne's Astronautical Society."

Their satellite was the product of ingenuity and backyard DIY, with the initial design sketched on the back of an envelope and mattress springs and a builder's tape measure used in its construction.

Liam Heffernan's grandfather Richard Tonkin, back row in glasses, with the Australis Oscar 5 team and their satellite.

(Image credit: Australis Oscar 5 team.)

Australis Oscar 5 was successfully launched into orbit by NASA on a Delta 76 rocket in 1970.

"At that time there was no space industry in Australia, so they reached out to an amateur radio satellite group in California to get it launched," Mr Heffernan said.

"Building those connections in countries with space programs remains incredibly important.

"The Australis group pioneered Australia's presence in space, and I think their boldness and tenacity are a great example of how we can grow our industry.

"My grandfather's been a huge inspiration to me and he's particularly thrilled that I have the opportunity to follow my passion."

Satellites for climate resilience

Mr Heffernan's research focus is also satellites, specifically using machine learning to accelerate and expand their onboard data processing.

"Better and faster acquisition and delivery of data can vastly improve satellite functionality," he said.

"In terms of Earth observation satellites, this could mean real-time imagery getting to first responders and policy makers during emergency events like bushfires.

"I'm a volunteer rural fire fighter, so this is something I particularly care about.

"Accurate information about fuel loads can help with prescribed burns, while imagery from a fire front can facilitate a faster emergency response.

"Climate resilience is just one of many ways satellites can be invaluable."

Upward trajectory

Mr Heffernan, a UQ Liveris Academy Scholar , graduated from UQ's Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and Aerospace) program in 2025.

"As an undergraduate I studied overseas, at Purdue University in the US," he said.

"I also interned on my holidays at Rocket Lab in New Zealand on their mechanical development team, and I'm headed back to work there for the first half of this year.

"That kind of industry experience and relationship building is invaluable."

Mr Heffernan is embarking on the next stage of his academic career.

Later this year he will travel to Europe to begin his Masters in Mechanical Engineering, after being named a John Monash Scholar.

"I'm excited to immerse myself in that ecosystem overseas, but my end goal is to bring my expertise home," he said.

"I want to contribute and help grow Australia's space industry."