The Australian Space Agency has been tasked with developing what the federal government refers to as a unified national space strategy to shape the sector over the next two decades and beyond.
Science and Technology Minister Melissa Price said the development of the Space Strategy Update came with the support of industry feedback that Australia needs a better integrated effort in the space sector.
“Through the Space Strategy Update, we will maximize our investment and efforts to benefit all Australians,” she said.
The Australian Space Agency is expected to work with industry and government over the next 18 months to deliver the Space Strategy Update.
When completed, the update is expected to provide a timetable for space programs and investment opportunities for the government, as well as plans for other areas of coordination.
Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo said: “We will strengthen the coordination of investments and strategies, whether it is between states and territories, between governments or between operations. our science, civil and defense”.
“Similarly, we must ensure we have international competition regulation that supports industry growth and entrepreneurship while ensuring public safety.”
Just last week, Australian National University vice-chancellor and Nobel laureate Brain Schmidt said that Greater collaboration between local universities will be needed to help Australia builds its sovereign space capabilities.
“Each of us needs to work as part of the ‘Team Australia’ ecosystem. [A] The distributed approach, which I fear is the natural state of the university, is both inefficient and doesn’t scale,” he said.
In addition to the Space Strategy Update, Price announced that it no longer plans to introduce space launch application fees, which would be levied on businesses conducting domestic launch operations. The production of partial cost recovery model has been deferred twice since it was first proposed as part of the 2019-20 Mid-Fiscal Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
“Rather than allowing cost recovery to take effect or defer — we will be eliminating launch license registration fees altogether,” said Price.
“We made this decision to give you the certainty you need to invest and to help our SME space businesses continue to grow.”
In addition, South Australia’s dedicated space production center was awarded an additional AU$20 million by the federal government to help kickstart the project.
A $20 million donation in addition to 20 million Australian dollars The South Australian government has committed to the project worth A$66 million.
The center is being developed by the South Australian government in partnership with a consortium of spaceflight companies – Fleet Space Technologies, Q-CTRL, ATSpace and Alauda Aeronautics.
All four companies will work together on the facility to co-operate and manufacture small satellites, rockets, electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, and support engineering components and systems. The Australian Space Park will be located at Adelaide Airport.
“This is a huge opportunity for Australia. Our space businesses are globally recognized but these investments are intended to drive their potential to scale and create more jobs. higher value for Australians,” said Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor.
“This investment in South Australia will not only help grow our space sector, but will also power the next generation of space manufacturers and researchers.”
This latest investment by the federal government in addition to 65 million Australian dollars was announced last week to help “fast track” Australia’s space sector.
The federal government has so far committed more than A$850 million into building Australia’s space capabilities since 2018 as part of its “mission to triple the size of the region and create up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030”. This goal is set according to Australian Civil Space Strategy.
Also on Thursday, Optus announced that it will use SpaceLogistics’ robotic mission vehicle (MRV) and mission expansion pod (MEP) to extend the life of the D3 satellite in orbit by up to six years.
The MRV, a robotic-capable spacecraft that serves multiple satellites in orbit, including MEP installations, will be launched by SpaceX in 2024.
“MRV’s sophisticated robotics technology will give Optus the ability to mount the MEP to the D3, which is a fuel tank that effectively extends geostationary life. Once fitted, the MEP will enhance the propulsion system.” of Optus’ D3 satellite, providing an additional six years Optus said.
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