EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Australia has the potential to build on its niche strengths in the space industry and substantially boost its turnover in the sector, says a new government policy document. To boost space activity, the government has established a space forum to exchange and disseminate information, identify issues requiring a collaborative approach, and be a source of expertise.
Although Australia has no desire for self-sufficiency in space, the government wants to ensure access to space services, support space-related science and research, grow the country's industry and safeguard national security, the document says.
The space sector provides opportunities for Australian industry, says the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (DITR), and its strengths include satellite operations and services, signal and data processing, space instrumentation, ground stations, space debris tracking, use of Earth observation data and GPS applications.
Australia's geospatial informational industry employs 11,000 people and has a turnover of A$1.2 billion ($870 million) and "relatively modest" exports of about A$50 million, the DTIR says. A target for this year is to conclude bilateral agreements with the Russian Federation to allow commercial use of Russian launch technologies in Australia.
The space forum, which will meet twice a year, will be chaired by the DITR. It is to include representatives from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Research Council, and the government departments of defence, communications, transport, foreign affairs and trade, agriculture and the environment.
Source: Flight International