What will Australia's space agency look like? Two experts agree it needs deliberate investment from government, and that it should facilitate participation across states and territories.
Right now there are more than 20,000 objects in space.
NASA
Weather forecasting, bushfire management, power and water supply: Australia relies on earth observations to the tune of A$5 billion a year. But we have very little control over the data we get.
Space isn’t just about rockets and missions to Mars: Australia must invest in space-based infrastructure to manage our resources.
David Moir/AAP
There are local, practical implications linked to failed advancement of infrastructure projects that rely on expertise in space. Protecting Australia's water is just one example.
Professor of Geography, Director - Remote Sensing Research Centre, Chair - Australian Earth Observation Community Coordination Group, The University of Queensland