Australia will create its own space agency in an attempt to cash in on a $420 billion aeronautical industry and create thousands of new jobs.
The Federal Government will detail the long-term plans at the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, where the Opposition will also reveal its own plan.
Labor said Australia and Iceland were the only countries in the 35-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that do not have a space agency.
The newly-formed Australian Space Agency launches its first spacecraft
The scientist who will head the country's first dedicated space agency believes Australia's relatively small industry could soon treble in size, producing up to 20,000 new jobs in just over a decade.Former CSIRO boss Megan Clark will today be formally named as the head of the Australian Space Agency for its first year of operations.
Thought this was a joke from the Australian show utopia.
All those involved, or who would like to be involved in space industry activities are welcome to attend. This includes downstream users of space data like the resources and agriculture sectors, or those who have an interest in contributing to the space industry such as those involved in manufacturing, design or research. The Agency will provide an update on current space activities, and will facilitate a discussion of the opportunities and challenges for the sector.
I'll be going to the Adelaide one on 17 August.
The NSW government has announced funding for seven NSW space start-up companies to attend the AusTrade Landing Pad in the US for an intense ‘boot camp’ learning experience.Start-ups heading to the US include Arlula, Azimuth Advisory, The Blueprint Lab, High Earth Orbit Robotics, Saber Astronautics, Seaskip and Space Ops Australia..........Australia’s first astronaut, Dr Paul Scully-Power AM, appointed in May as the NSW Space Industry Ambassador, is leading the bid to host the new Australian Space Agency in NSW. Dr Scully-Power said the start-ups were selected for their innovative technology development, including next generation mission control software, reusable launch vehicles, and on-demand satellite inspection."NSW is in a strong position to build its space industry. We are home to Australia’s first space incubator and are working with 26 space education and research departments across eight universities," he said.
The Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Bill 2018 has been introduced into the Australian Parliament and will:•include licensing arrangements for launches from aircraft in flight•streamline the approvals process for launches and returns•balance safety and risk of potential damage with the national interest in a changing environment•adjust insurance requirements to appropriate risk levels and international norms•reduce barriers to participation for small Australian space industry companies•increase non-compliance penalties to reflect the seriousness of damage to people and property•introduces safeguards for high power rocket activities