An icon of Australian science, the Parkes radio telescope has been in operation since 1961 and continues to be at the forefront of astronomical discovery thanks to regular upgrades. Image source: ATNF.
You could be forgiven if you’re left wondering how a space agency will change the already multi-billion dollar industry in Australia. An industry which is currently managed in a piecemeal fashion, with the CSIRO, ANU and the likes all acting relatively independently from one another.
All of this is very inefficient and clumsy, and the implementation of an agency to manage Australia’s space activities is hoped to address these issues.
“A national space agency will ensure we have a strategic long-term plan that supports the development and application of space technologies and grows our domestic space industry,” acting Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said.
Australia’s space agency will mean a big need for local STEM talent, and the ACT, SA and NT have all thrown their respective resources behind the program. Canberra, home to GA, ANU and the CRC for Space Environment Research wants to see the new agency headquartered at the nation’s capital. South Australia is gunning for the industrial and operational base, given the presence of the Defence Department and more than 60 space-related organisations, and the NT believes it is best positioned for a launch site.
With a freshly coordinated effort within Australia’s borders, the presence of a space agency is also believed to help with the brain drain in the industry. Dr Alan Duffy, Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne said, “I have spoken to countless students who want to know how they can work in the exciting space sector without having to go abroad. With a national space agency, our best and brightest can now create a future economy right here.”
Associate Prof. David Ottaway from the Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, and Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing, at the University of Adelaide concurred, saying “Advances in the space industry push the state of the art in engineering, sciences and technology. Many of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates frequently need to move overseas to chase such opportunities. It will be amazing if the opportunities that the space industry offers are available locally.”
Feedback from the extensive consultation process has overwhelmingly shown the need for the establishment of a national space agency. Former CSIRO Chief Dr Megan Clark is chairing the Reference Group, and its review is well advanced.
The Reference Group has sought views from across the country from industry, government and society, including almost 200 written submissions in response to its issues paper, and more than 400 people have been consulted through roundtables in each state and territory.
For now the details on who, where, and how are slim. The review, title Space Industry Capability Review, is expected to conclude in March 2018.
