The Australian government is injecting more than Au$ 65 million to get Australian technologies into space sooner and to make the country a leading destination for launch. In another major boost for the Australian space sector that will drive jobs and technology investment, the government has also instructed the Australian Space Agency to embark on a mission to put an Australian astronaut back into space.
The nation’s Prime Minister stated that the new $65 million funding was part of the government’s ongoing mission to expand the sector, invest in cutting edge technologies and create new jobs. He noted that Australia is ready to launch and they are backing Australian companies and workers to look up and aim high. The journey to sending an Australian into space means serious investment in local jobs, local technologies and local businesses.
Since 2018, the government has invested more than $800 million as part of our mission to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and create up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030. The government will co-invest more than $32 million into the development of up to three new or existing spaceports or launch sites across Australia.
The Australian Space Agency will also receive more than $32 million to procure and provide spaceflights and services for the Australian space sector. This will help the sector gain an important ‘flight qualification’ – a common barrier to transitioning space technology from the laboratory to space. The Au$ 32 million+ includes an Au$ 3.5 million national student space challenge that would see student payloads sent into orbit. The Agency has also been tasked with international partners to put an Australian astronaut back into space.
The South Australia Premier stated that the investment was a major boost for South Australia’s space sector. He noted that South Australia is ‘unequivocally the Space State’ – they have already created nearly 1600 space jobs in the State and today’s announcement is going to see that number take off.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Science and Technology stated that this latest investment would provide Australian industry with further opportunities to grow their capability and access global supply chains – and support more launches taking off on home soil.
The Head of the Australian Space Agency noted that the Fast-Tracking Access to Space package would help address gaps in the local sector. He noted that this co-investment in the development of spaceports makes Australia’s intentions clear – to become a launch nation of choice to attract further private sector investment. “We are already a desirable launch location thanks to a range of factors, including our unique geographic perspective and political stability – this investment will cement that reputation.”
The space sector provides essential data and services for daily activities, from banking and internet access to knowing where one is. Space also provides critical data that supports emergency management, planning, and weather forecasting, and inspires young people to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) domains.
