Dr Mark Harwood

Dr Mark Harwood completed his tertiary education at the University of Sydney where his postgraduate studies focused on radiotelescopes and computer techniques for antenna design and measurement.

Mark has played a key role in the development of the Australia’s national satellite system since its inception in 1980. Mark’s initial responsibilities were the design of the antenna and communications payload systems on board Australia’s first generation satellites. From 1982 to 1984, he worked in the USA on the design and construction of the spacecraft which were launched in 1985 and 1987.

The second-generation satellites pioneered domestic mobile satellite services, with Australia being the first country in the world to introduce such services. Mark was again responsible for the design of the communications system on board the spacecraft. His innovative antenna designs for the satellites, launched in 1992 and 1994, made possible the transmission via satellite of digital television direct to homes in Australia.

In 1998, Mark was responsible for the design and business case for Optus C1, the world’s largest hybrid commercial/military satellite, constructed and launched in 2003 in conjunction with the Australian Defence Force. Most recently, Mark led a team to design and prepare the business cases for the three Optus D series satellites, the first two of which were launched in 2006 and 2007 and the third is due for launch in 2009. Mark is currently employed by Optus where he is General Manager, Planning and Strategy for the satellite business.

During his university years, Mark was something of a ‘closet Christian’ because he could not understand the basis of his faith. He assumed that God must have created through the processes of evolution (theistic evolution) but that provided no meaningful basis for Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Then he was confronted on the historical truth of Genesis and realised that the early chapters of Genesis were fundamental to the Christian faith. His subsequent journey of investigation convinced him of the theological and scientific basis of the Genesis account of creation.

Mark has been an active supporter of creation ministry in Australia for many years through the Sydney Support Group, of which he serves as leader. He now speaks passionately about the relevance and the scientific integrity of the Genesis creation account on behalf of Creation Ministries International.

Education

• B.Sc. in Physics and Mathematics
• B.Eng. (Hons) in Electrical Engineering
• Ph.D. on "Computer Techniques for Antenna Design and Measurement"

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