Canberra has released a ‘Statement on Space’ that is big on buzzwords but short on details and specifics.

By Jonathan Nally

For anyone who has been observing the Australian space sector for a while, it seems to me that it’s a little hard to avoid becoming a bit of a cynic… at least, when it comes to government sincerity about supporting and boosting the sector.

The federal government’s latest ‘Statement on Space’ just reinforces that cynicism, in my opinion.

Over the past four decades, we’ve all seen so many reports, studies and statements come and go and achieve nothing much in the process.

How many times have we seen government support for space programs run hot and cold, programs announced and then cancelled, funding approved and then removed?

And that has been true of governments of all stripes over the years, not just the current one. And yes, I’m sure other industry sectors could say exactly the same thing, no doubt.

But thank goodness for the advent of ‘new space,’ the development of cost-effective smaller satellites and launchers, and the rise of innovative new space businesses.

The new generation of space companies are succeeding mainly through their own initiative and efforts, not through governmental patronage or support.

True, there has been some government support and encouragement here and there along the way, but you wouldn’t want to rely upon it.

And of course, that’s the way it should be. Let business do what it does best. But some consistency from government would go a long way toward helping. Particularly when governments talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

What’s in the new Statement on Space?

So, what’s in this new Statement, released just a few days ago? Not a lot, it seems to me. Mostly, it outlines a lot of ‘feel good’ ambitions and pontificates on obviosities, all dressed up in a pretty brochure.

For instance, quoting from the document, “The Statement on Space… identifies five areas where Australia’s space industry is well placed to engage, contribute and grow across the global space economy”.

Those five areas are:

• Trusted space services
• Spaceflight ecosystem
• Space platforms
• Microgravity ecosystem
• Exploration technologies

Really? Is this news to anyone? Does the federal government think those in the space sector don’t already know this?

Quoting once more from the Statement, “This focus is intended to support industry, government and partners to better understand where Australian space industry can contribute to a more competitive, productive and resilient economy.”

Again, is there anyone out there in the private space sector who doesn’t already understand this? No-one needs a glossy brochure to tell them what they already know.

What the statement has to say about geospatial

Geospatial primarily comes into the picture in the first of the focus areas, trusted space services, which the Statement says are “the space-enabled functions, data and operational capabilities that support everyday life, economic activity, and national resilience”.

“This includes Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT), communications, Earth Observation (EO) and space monitoring, underpinned by the mission operations, data systems and ground segment capabilities needed to deliver those services reliably.”

The Statement says that building domestic capability in trusted space services “could expand opportunities” in things such as resilient communications, ground stations, calibration/validation, analytics, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring and so on.

Great. But what’s with the word “could”? How about “we’re going to do whatever it takes to ensure that it will expand opportunities” instead?

What’s comes next, according to the Statement?

The Statement outlines five “action themes” that sound more like action ambitions:

• Promote Australia’s strengths in space
• Coordinate demand signals
• Shape capability development
• Deepen and harness international partnerships
• Advance regulation and international governance

This section of the Statement contains a wonderful, Humphrey Appleby-esque paragraph. How many buzzwords can you spot? “These Action Themes are a framework focused on existing levers to build visibility, strengthen market pathways, improve settings for adoption and growth, and further capability development in areas of comparative advantage. This approach is consistent with the targeted, industry-facing nature of the Statement, a Future Made in Australia, and with broader government efforts to encourage private investment, build national capability, and support a more resilient economy.”

Wow.

But as the late Peter Russell-Clarke might have said, “where’s the cheese?” That is, where’s the actual plan?

The plan is outlined on the Statement’s closing page. Are you ready? Here it is:

“We will work with industry, academia, government stakeholders, and the community on the actions outlined in this statement.

“These consultations will include Ministerial and industry-led roundtables, alongside targeted engagement undertaken directly by the Australian Space Agency with key stakeholders across the Australian space sector.

“Following these consultations, the Government will provide further information on the actions to be taken to support our vision.”

Fantastic. More consultations. More roundtables. More discussion. Further information to come. Watch this space.

How about more action, right now?