http://www.skyandtelescope.com.au 13to government (some even initiated by
government) outlining the benefits to
the nation of the establishment of such
an agency.
The Space Industry Association of
Australia (SIAA) is one body that has
welcomed the announcement.
“The benefits of a national space
agency... have been the subject of
detailed research and lobbying by
the SIAA and other key players in the
Australian space sector over the last
18 months,” said the SIAA’s chair,
Michael Davis.The European Space Agency’s deep space
tracking station at New Norcia, Western
Australia. The government has allocated $
million in the latest budget for local enterprises
to partner with international agencies.
S The only satellite
launched from Australian soil,
WRESAT, lifted off in November 1967.“It is vitally important that the
commendations of the Expert
eference Group be accepted and
plemented,” said Davis. “This
ill ensure that the new agency
as the necessary support from
oth government and industry
o achieve the long term goals
f industry engagement and
conomic development by
promoting collaboration and
investment nationally and
internationally.”
According to the SIAA,
Australia has the chance to
increase its share of the global
space market from 0.8% to 4%
within 20 years, reaching a dollar
value of more than $3.5 trillion
within the next three decades.
“We can’t afford to get stuck
on Earth when everyone else is
going to the stars. Australia can finally
step up and participate as an equal
with other nations,” added Flinders
University space specialist,
Dr Alice Gorman.
“The European Space Agency has
9 centres and NASA runs 11 which
support spaceflight programs. Large
chunks of the private sector rely on
them but our model has to be different.”
“This is an investment which allows
us to compete in the global space race,”
she said.
“We are talking about an industry
that will need engineers, scientists,
researchers, archaeologists, and even
writers and artists,” she added. “Some
skin in the game also gives our voice
credibility on issues like space junk and
space treaties.”Great opportunities
Professor Brian Schmidt, Vice-
Chancellor of The Australian National
University (ANU) and a Nobel Prize
winner, said that the move will
invigorate Australia’s space industry.
“The Government’s new investment
in a space agency is a solid down
payment in the development of
Australia’s space story. We look forward
to bringing our extensive cross-AUSTRALIA’S
SPACE FUNDING
AT A GLANCE
The new national space agency
will start work on July 1, 2018, led
by Dr Megan Clark, former head
of the CSIRO.
$26.0 MILLION over four years
to establish the Agency and
coordinate domestic space
activities.
$15.0 MILLION over three years
20 to establish an International
Space Investment project.
$260 MILLION for research into
better GPS-like location systems
and satellite imagery.
More details at industry.gov.au/
Spacedisciplinary capability to support the
agency, its initiatives and activities,”
Professor Schmidt said.
“ANU is home to key national space
resources and has vast capacity and
capability to support a new space agency
with broad expertise from science
through to law and policy.
“Our staff at the Research School of
Astronomy and Astrophysics are deeply
engaged with industry, government and
academia along with other national
space agencies around the world.
“Through our national facilities,
which include the Advanced
Instrumental Technology Centre
(AITC) at Mount Stromlo and the
Siding Spring Observatory, ANU already
plays a leading role in the national
space industry.“
So, more than 50 years after the
launch of WRESAT — the only satellite
ever launched from Australian soil —
the nation’s government has finally
decided to offer serious guidance and
encouragement to Australia’s space
sector. Overdue, but not too late. As
the saying goes, per ardua ad astra —
‘through struggle to the stars’.