Francis Bennet is an Associate Professor at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Francis is an expert in adaptive optics for astronomical instrumentation, space situational awareness, and laser communications. He takes quantum communications experiments from the lab to space, enabling a global quantum encrypted communications network. This includes working on the development of a satellite to test quantum communications between space and the ground and creating a prototype to demonstrate high-speed optical communications between Earth and Lunar spacecraft equipped for optical communication. Francis also leads the ACT Node of the Australasian Optical Ground Station Network and is a member of the Australian Space Agency’s Technical Advisory Group on Advanced Communications.