tag:theconversation.com,2011:/global/topics/australias-place-in-space-43438/articlesAustralia's place in space – The Conversation2017-09-21T19:43:24Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/833102017-09-21T19:43:24Z2017-09-21T19:43:24ZLost in space: Australia dwindled from space leader to also-ran in 50 years<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186935/original/file-20170921-16579-1pl0413.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Australia worked closely with the UK, Europe and USA in developing space capability in the 1950s and 1960s. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/australia-seen-space-earth-daytime-series-174128336">from www.shutterstock.com </a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The eyes of the world’s space expertise will be on Australia this month, as Adelaide hosts the <a href="http://www.iac2017.org/">world’s largest space conference</a>. </p>
<p>The meeting occurs in the 50th anniversary year of the launch of Australia’s first satellite, <a href="https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/innovation/wresat-%E2%80%94-weapons-research-establishment-satellite">WRESAT</a>. This project occurred as the culmination of a decade in which Australia was seen as a significant player in the space arena.</p>
<p>But now, Australia is perceived to be underperforming in the space sector. It remains <a href="https://theconversation.com/lets-talk-about-the-space-industry-in-australias-election-campaign-61567">one of only two OECD countries</a> not to have a space agency (the other nation is Iceland). </p>
<p>So what happened in the past half century to slow us down? My doctoral thesis is attempting to find the answer.</p>
<h2>The International Geophysical Year</h2>
<p>Australian involvement in space activities commenced with participation in the International Geophysical Year (<a href="https://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/magazine/igy/welcome.html">IGY</a>), a global scientific research program focused on understanding the Earth’s relationship to its surrounding space environment. Longer than a calendar year, the IGY ran from July 1, 1957 to December 31, 1958, and was a significant catalyst for space-related activities in many nations.</p>
<p>In mid-1955, the USA and the USSR had both announced their intention to launch a satellite <a href="https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/siddiqi.html">during the IGY</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186704/original/file-20170920-19998-1d3qjrw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">1955 American announcement of plans for the building and launching of the world’s first man-made satellite, under President Eisenhower. The then Presidential press secretary James Hagerty is shown with five scientists.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/gallerysput.html">NASA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In that same year, Britain and Australia’s Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) announced their <a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4452/578ffd4a5ff6110e81d7179f24d0c523d4c5.pdf">IGY plans to launch sounding rockets</a> for upper atmosphere research from the WRE-managed Woomera Rocket Range. Located in outback South Australia, the range had been established in 1947 under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAAF_Woomera_Range_Complex">Anglo-Australian Joint Project</a> as a guided weapons development and test facility.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1047&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1047&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186708/original/file-20170920-20014-18a77uz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1047&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A mockup of the world’s first satellite, Sputnik.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/gallerysput.html">NASA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The decision to launch “sounding” (sub-orbital measurement-taking) rockets there for the IGY, coupled with US plans to launch the world’s first satellite, would lead to Woomera becoming the hub of early space activities in Australia. </p>
<p>The “space age” truly dawned in October 1957, with the surprise launch of the USSR’s Sputnik 1 satellite <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_924.html">beating the US into orbit</a>. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Race">space race</a> between the two Cold War superpowers commenced, with Australia poised to participate in the openly scientific and covertly military adventure of space exploration.</p>
<h2>Rockets, satellites, citizen scientists</h2>
<p>Britain’s <a href="http://www.sat-net.com/serra/skylar_e.htm">Skylark sounding rocket program</a> (1957-1979) would become the longest-operating space project at Woomera, launching British, Australian, European and American scientific instrument packages. <a href="https://csiropedia.csiro.au/mccracken-kenneth-gordon/">Australian</a> and <a href="http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/physics/research/xroa/astronomical-facilities-1/rocket-science-at-leicester/the-skylark-rocket">British</a> researchers made substantial contributions to X-ray, infra-red and <a href="https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/history/interviews-australian-scientists/professor-john-carver-1926-2004">ultra-violet</a> astronomy using Skylark rockets.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=782&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=782&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=782&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=983&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=983&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186922/original/file-20170921-28770-kk92rv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=983&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">8.2m in length, Long Tom was the first Australian sounding rocket.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Defence Science and Technology Group</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Although the WRE’s first sounding rocket program was unsuccessful, the development of the <a href="http://homepage.powerup.com.au/%7Ewoomera/ltom.htm">Long Tom rocket</a> in 1958 paved the way for a succession of Australian <a href="https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/393477">sounding rockets</a> operating until 1975. This program, conducted in conjunction with the University of Adelaide, carried out upper atmosphere research that made important contributions to understanding the factors governing <a href="https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4452/578ffd4a5ff6110e81d7179f24d0c523d4c5.pdf">Australia’s meteorology</a>.</p>
<p>Australia was also ideally located, geographically and politically, to host facilities for the two networks planned to track America’s proposed satellite, Vanguard. These were: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minitrack">Minitrack</a> (a radio-interferometry system), and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s <a href="http://bollerandchivens.com/?p=561">Baker-Nunn</a> optical tracking telescope cameras.</p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Moonwatch">Project Moonwatch</a> volunteers, mostly amateur astronomers, supported the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s work by spotting faint satellites and establishing their orbital co-ordinates so that the observatory’s high precision camera could be then be focused on the satellite. Australia boasted five initial Moonwatch groups (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Woomera and Perth) – the first citizen scientists of the Space Age. </p>
<h2>NASA takes over</h2>
<p>When NASA was formed in July 1958, it assumed control of these original tracking stations. By 1970, Australia was home to the <a href="https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/people/sar049/papers/JMS_50.pdf">largest number of NASA stations</a> outside the USA, hosting facilities for its orbital satellite, “manned” space flight and deep space tracking networks.</p>
<p>These facilities, managed and staffed by Australians, made significant contributions to the early exploration and utilisation of space, particularly the Apollo lunar program. Television coverage of Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon came to the world through the NASA Honeysuckle Creek tracking station in the ACT (with the rest of the television during the Apollo 11 mission relayed via the CSIRO’s Parkes Radio Telescope).</p>
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<p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://theconversation.com/mission-over-the-final-countdown-to-cassinis-fatal-plunge-into-saturn-83873">The final countdown to Cassini’s fatal plunge into Saturn</a></em> </p>
<hr>
<p>Although advances in technology eventually rendered most of the Australian tracking stations obsolete, the NASA Deep Space Communications Complex at Tidbinbilla, near Canberra, continues to play a major role in the exploration of the Solar System. It was the station responsible for monitoring the <a href="https://theconversation.com/mission-over-the-final-countdown-to-cassinis-fatal-plunge-into-saturn-83873">final hours of the Cassini mission</a> to Saturn, which concluded with the spacecraft’s death-dive into the planet’s atmosphere on September 15.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186717/original/file-20170920-900-1u1wwb7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/dsn20101222-i.html">NASA/JPL-Caltech</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Defence focus, and WRESAT</h2>
<p>Defence-related space research commenced at Woomera in 1958 with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Knight_(rocket)">Black Knight</a> and <a href="http://fuseurop.univ-perp.fr/jaguar_e.htm">Jabiru</a> programs.</p>
<p>Investigating nuclear missile warhead design, materials and re-entry phenomena, defence research programs continued until just before the termination of the Joint Project in 1980. </p>
<p>Particularly important to the Australian space story was the US-led <a href="http://www.drewexmachina.com/2016/04/26/redstone-the-missile-that-launched-america-into-space/">SPARTA Project</a> (1966-67): the generous donation of a spare launch vehicle from this program enabled the launch of <a href="http://homepage.powerup.com.au/%7Ewoomera/wresat.htm">WRESAT</a> (Weapons Research Establishment Satellite), Australia’s first satellite.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=482&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=482&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=482&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=605&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=605&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186778/original/file-20170920-965-1nmer91.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=605&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The WRESAT satellite under construction in a WRE laboratory.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Defence Science and Technology Group</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With a launch vehicle available, WRESAT was designed, constructed and launched in only eleven months: a significant achievement in itself. A collaboration between the WRE and the University of Adelaide, WRESAT’s scientific instrument package was derived from the Australian upper atmosphere sounding rocket programs and helped to corroborate their findings.</p>
<p>Launched on November 27, 1967, WRESAT gave Australia entry into the exclusive “space club” of countries that had orbited a national satellite.</p>
<figure class="align-left ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=947&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=947&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186924/original/file-20170921-5113-1ufg1cz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=947&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">WRESAT was launched from Woomera in 1967.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Defence Science and Technology Group</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At the end of its first decade of space activity, Australia had launched its own satellite, while a Melbourne University student-built <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-06/how-uni-students-got-nasa-to-launch-australias-first-satellite/8421480">amateur radio satellite</a> awaited launch in the USA. </p>
<p>The WRE had an active scientific sounding rocket program, participated in defence space projects and was supporting the European Launcher Development Organisation’s (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Launcher_Development_Organisation">ELDO</a>) satellite launcher test program at Woomera. </p>
<p>The country was a crucial participant in NASA space programs, through the tracking stations in the country, and an Australian (<a href="http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/martyn-david-forbes-11076">Dr David Forbes Martyn</a>) chaired the UN Committee on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Committee_on_the_Peaceful_Uses_of_Outer_Space">Peaceful Use of Outer Space’s Scientific and Technical Subcommittee</a>.</p>
<h2>Space program proposed, and rejected</h2>
<p>To build on these achievements, in 1968 the <a href="http://www.eoas.info/biogs/A000993b.htm">WRE proposed</a> a modest national civil and defence space program, which could have harnessed WRE and civil space capabilities towards the development of an Australian space industry. The proposal was rejected by the Gorton government on the basis of cost.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=748&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=748&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=748&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=939&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=939&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186788/original/file-20170920-900-1lyvpjw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=939&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">An ELDO Europa rocket launched from Woomera.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Defence Science and Technology Group</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This marked the beginning of a cyclical process that has, at least in the civil sector, hindered Australia’s ability to maintain its original level of space capability, or redevelop it over recent decades.</p>
<p>Political parties of both persuasions have shown shortlived, underfunded, bursts of support for developing an Australian space industry, only to withdraw that support just as these programs were achieving results.</p>
<p>Potentially beneficial membership of the European Space Agency (the European Launcher Development Organisation’s successor), to which Australia has been repeatedly invited, has been constantly rejected, also (ostensibly) on the basis of cost.</p>
<h3>Timeline of key events in Australia’s space activities: click on arrows at right and left to go back and forth.</h3>
<iframe src="https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1ICUy6gvxLqMtOIZoUrePT7ry7h0yeBLbYyKuGxqvfFk&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&height=650" width="100%" height="650" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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<h2>No clear answer</h2>
<p>The reluctance of successive Australian governments to support national space activities and a national space industry has been something of a puzzle, especially given the country’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-relies-on-data-from-earth-observation-satellites-but-our-access-is-high-risk-82985">reliance on space-based services</a>. </p>
<p>My PhD research has sought to find the answer to this question within the first two “boom and bust” decades of Australian space activity. So far, no clear answer has emerged, apart from claims that “it’s too expensive”. </p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/ten-reasons-why-australia-urgently-needs-a-space-agency-16386">Ten reasons why Australia urgently needs a space agency</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>While an economic case could perhaps be made for rejecting a 1959 Australian National Committee on Space Research proposal for a national science program – given that Australia was then in recession – the 1968 WRE and 1970 Australian Space Research Agency space program proposals were both put forward during periods of economic prosperity. Their proposed costs represented very small fractions of GDP, and could have been affordable.</p>
<p>These early space program proposals had modest proposed costs, and reflected modest goals of developing a national capability in an important emerging technology. </p>
<p>However, there seems to have been a perception in government that committing to a space program, and/or a space agency, meant committing to high-cost ventures such as human spaceflight (which were admittedly beyond Australia’s economic means at the time). </p>
<p>This unnecessary assumption, which was overtly expressed in the activities that were specifically ruled out of the <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Documents/Australias-satellite-utilisation-policy.pdf">2013 Australia’s Satellite Utilisation Policy</a>, has continued to bedevil proposals for the development of national space capability.</p>
<h2>Pragmatism, or something else?</h2>
<p>I find it hard to accept that, as one previous article in The Conversation has suggested, the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-will-soon-have-a-national-space-policy-no-giggling-please-9917">intense pragmatism</a>” of Australian governments has left them content to allow other nations to control Australia’s access to space.</p>
<p>As early as 1960, the government clearly recognised the value of space applications to the management and economic development of the vast continent of Australia, and to its national security. </p>
<p>Australia became an <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Documents/Australias-satellite-utilisation-policy.pdf">early adopter of satellite technologies</a> and is well recognised today as a sophisticated and extensive user of <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-relies-on-data-from-earth-observation-satellites-but-our-access-is-high-risk-82985">space-based services and space-derived data</a>.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-relies-on-data-from-earth-observation-satellites-but-our-access-is-high-risk-82985">Australia relies on data from Earth observation satellites, but our access is high risk</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Until the economic rationalism of the 1990s, the development and management of national infrastructure was seen as the responsibility of government. </p>
<p>Why, then, was the “orbital infrastructure” of satellite networks on which the country came to rely, not also considered a responsibility of government in earlier decades? </p>
<p>Is it pragmatic to allow other nations, even if they are allies, the ability to control Australia’s access to vital space-based services? </p>
<p>Engagement in overseas military actions since 1990 has already taught the Australian Defence Force the importance of having control of its own <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Documents/Australias-satellite-utilisation-policy.pdf">satellite communication assets</a>.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"902856567133016065"}"></div></p>
<p>In late 2015, the government commenced a <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Pages/Review-of-the-Space-Activities-Act-1998.aspx">review of the Space Activities Act</a>, which has been seen as hindering the growth of the New Space sector in Australia.</p>
<p>Growing calls from the space national space community for a space program and space agency have also this year prompted the <a href="try/IndustrySectors/space/Pages/Review-of-Australian">2017 review of Australia’s space industry capability</a>. </p>
<p>Will the outcome of these two reviews be the revival of Australian space activities, at a level to equal or surpass our space engagement of half a century ago. Or will the nation continue to remain “lost in space”? </p>
<p>Perhaps an announcement during the <a href="http://www.iac2017.org/">2017 International Astronautical Congress</a> will tell.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/83310/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kerrie Dougherty is the author of Australia in Space (ATF Press, 2017) and received funding from the Space Industry Association of Australia to write the book. She is also a member of the National Space Society of Australia</span></em></p>Australia was a significant global space player during the 1950s and 1960s. Now we’re one of only two OECD countries not to have a space agency. What happened?Kerrie Dougherty, PhD candidate, UNSW SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/829852017-09-20T20:33:49Z2017-09-20T20:33:49ZAustralia relies on data from Earth observation satellites, but our access is high risk<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186693/original/file-20170920-22691-bkgy2p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The NASA satellite Landsat-8 collects frequent global multispectral imagery of the Earth’s surface. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/services/missions/earth/LDCM.html">NASA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>This article is part of a series <strong>Australia’s place in space</strong>, where we’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses, along with the past, present and the future of Australia’s space presence and activities.</em></p>
<hr>
<p>Rockets, astronomy and humans on Mars: there’s a lot of <a href="http://www.iac2017.org/">excited talk</a> about space and what new discoveries might come if Australia’s federal government commits to <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Pages/Review-of-Australian-Space-Industry-Capability.aspx">expanding Australia’s space industry</a>. </p>
<p>But one space industry is often left out of the conversation: Earth observation (EO). </p>
<hr>
<p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-its-time-for-australia-to-launch-its-own-space-agency-72735">Why it’s time for Australia to launch its own space agency</a></em> </p>
<hr>
<p>EO refers to the collection of information about Earth, and delivery of useful data for human activities. For Australia, the minimum economic impact of EO from space-borne sensors alone is approximately <a href="http://www.aeoccg.org.au/aeocp-the-plan/">A$5.3 billion each year</a>. </p>
<p>And yet <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Publications/Pages/Australias-Satellite-Utilisation-Policy.aspx">the default position of our government</a> seems to be that the provision of EO resources will come from other countries’ investments, or commercial partners. </p>
<p>This means the extensive Commonwealth-state-local <a href="http://www.crcsi.com.au/assets/Program-2/The-Value-of-Earth-Observations-from-Space-to-Australia-ACIL-Allen-FINAL-20151207.pdf">government and industry reliance</a> on access to EO services remains <a href="https://theconversation.com/security-and-space-australias-free-ride-is-coming-to-an-end-9918">a high-risk</a>.</p>
<h2>What is EO (Earth observation)?</h2>
<p>You’ve almost certainly relied on EO at some point already today.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=427&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=427&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=427&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=537&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=537&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186702/original/file-20170920-20014-7kjl8t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=537&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The wide range of government, industry and societal uses of Earth observation in Australia.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Australian Earth Observation Community Coordination Plan 2026</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>EO describes the activities used to gather data about the Earth from satellites, aircraft, remotely piloted systems and other platforms. It delivers information for our daily weather and oceanographic forecasts, disaster management systems, water and power supply, infrastructure monitoring, mining, agricultural production, environmental monitoring and more.</p>
<p>Global positioning and navigation, communications and information derived from satellites looking at, and away from Earth are referred to as “<a href="http://www.crcsi.com.au/assets/Resources/CRCSI-The-Value-of-Earth-Observations-from-Space-to-Australia-Final-web.pdf">downstream</a>” space activities. </p>
<p>“Upstream” activities are the industries building infrastructure (satellites, sensors), launch vehicles and ground facilities for operating space-based equipment. <a href="http://www.spaceindustry.com.au/Documents/Paper%20FINAL-5.pdf">In this arena</a>, countries such as Russia focus on building, launching and operating satellites and space craft. Others (such as Canada, Italy, UK) target developing industries and government activities that use these services. The US and China maintain a balance. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=128&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=128&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=128&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=160&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=160&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/186703/original/file-20170920-20018-1a7akv2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=160&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Components of Australia’s Earth-observation space capabilities (click to zoom for a clearer view)</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.aeoccg.org.au/">Australian Earth Observation Community Coordination Plan 2026</a>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Australia spends very little on space</h2>
<p>Although we rely so heavily on downstream space activities in our economic and other operations, Australia invests very little in space: only 0.003% of GDP, according to 2014 figures. </p>
<p><iframe id="7fXSG" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7fXSG/2/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Other countries have taken very proactive roles in enabling these industries to develop. Most government space agencies around the world invest 11% to 51% of their funds for developing EO capacity. These investments allow industries and government to build downstream applications and services from secure 24/7 satellite data streams.</p>
<p><iframe id="P3Fis" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/P3Fis/5/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Historically, Australia has invested heavily in research and research infrastructure to produce world leading capabilities in the science of <a href="http://www.ska.gov.au">astronomy</a>, <a href="http://www.serc.org.au">space-debris</a> <a href="http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov">tracking and space exploration communications</a>. </p>
<p>In EO there are no comparable national programs or infrastructure, nor have we contributed to international capability at the same levels as these areas. This seems strange given:</p>
<ul>
<li>our world leading status in applied research and extensive government use of these data as fully operational essential and critical information streams</li>
<li>all of the reports requesting increases in <a href="http://www.spaceindustry.com.au/Documents/SIAA%20White%20Paper%20-%20Advancing%20Australia%20in%20Space.pdf">government support and enabling for “space” industry</a> cite our reliance on EO as essential, but then don’t present paths forward for it</li>
<li>there are now a number of well established and growing small companies focused on delivering essential environmental, agricultural, grazing, energy supply and infrastructure monitoring services using EO, and </li>
<li>we have a well organised EO community across research, industry and government, with <a href="http://www.aeoccg.org.au/aeocp-the-plan">a clearly articulated national strategic plan to 2026</a>. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=326&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=326&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=326&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=410&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=410&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184667/original/file-20170905-28041-28wxaw.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=410&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Example of an information delivery service built from Earth observation data streams to deliver property level information to graziers and others land-holders (click to zoom for a clearer view).</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">P Tickle, FarmMap4D</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Building Australia’s EO capacity</h2>
<p>EO plays a vital role in many aspects of Australian life. Australia’s state and Commonwealth agencies, along with research institutions and industry have already built essential tools to routinely deliver satellite images in a form that can be developed further by private industry and delivered as services. </p>
<p>But our lack of a coordinating space agency adds a layer of fragility to vital EO operations as they currently stand.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/as-the-world-embraces-space-the-50-year-old-outer-space-treaty-needs-adaptation-79833">As the world embraces space, the 50 year old Outer Space Treaty needs adaptation</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>This places a very large amount of Commonwealth, state and local government activity, economic activity and essential infrastructure at risk, as <a href="http://www.crcsi.com.au/assets/Resources/CRCSI-The-Value-of-Earth-Observations-from-Space-to-Australia-Final-web.pdf">multiple recent national reviews have noted</a>.</p>
<p>Our federal government started to address the problem with its <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Publications/Pages/Australias-Satellite-Utilisation-Policy.aspx">2013 Satellites Utilisation Policy</a>, and will hopefully build on this following the current rounds of extensive consultation for the <a href="https://industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Pages/Review-of-Australian-Space-Industry-Capability.asp">Space Industry Capability Review</a>. </p>
<p>Although our private EO upstream and downstream industry capabilities are currently small, they are world leading, and if they were enabled with government-industry support in a way that the <a href="http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/Default.asp">Canadian Space Agency</a>, the <a href="http://www.esa.int/ESA">European Space Agency</a>/<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/index_en">European Commission</a> and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency">UK Space Agency</a> do, we could build this sector. </p>
<p>If Australia is to realistically participate in the “Space 2.0” economy, we need to act now and set clear goals for the next five, ten and 20 years. EO can be a pillar for this activity, enabling significant expansion of our upstream and downstream industries. This generates jobs and growth and addresses national security concerns. </p>
<p>That should be a win for all sectors in Australia – and we can finally give back and participate globally in space.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>Data sources for figure “Proportion of space budget spent on different capacities”: <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/fy_2017_budget_mission_directorate_fact_sheets.pdf">NASA</a>; ESA - <a href="http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/01/ESA_budget_2017_by_domain">here</a> and <a href="http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/Annual-Report-2015/">here</a>; <a href="http://global.jaxa.jp/projects/">JAXA</a>; PDF report on <a href="http://www.springer.com/cda/content/document/cda_downloaddocument/9783319194721-c1.pdf?SGWID=0-0-45-1513274-p177396349">China</a>.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/82985/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Stuart Phinn receives funding from the Australian Government, Australian Research Council, Cooperative Research Centre Program, and is Chair of the Australian Earth Observation Community Coordination Group.</span></em></p>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.Stuart Phinn, Professor of Geography, Director - Remote Sensing Research Centre, Chair - Australian Earth Observation Community Coordination Group, The University of QueenslandLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/837272017-09-19T19:41:07Z2017-09-19T19:41:07ZPreventing Murray-Darling water theft: a space agency can help Australia manage federal resources<p><em>This is the first article in the series <strong>Australia’s place in space,</strong> where we’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses, along with the past, present and the future of Australia’s space presence and activities.</em> </p>
<hr>
<p>An independent report into allegations of water theft and corruption in the Murray-Darling Basin has <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-11/damning-report-on-alleged-corruption-by-nsw-water-official/8892208">recommended fundamental reforms to the system</a>.</p>
<p>Solutions suggested in the report focus on the state of New South Wales, and involve metered pumps and public access to information. Others have proposed a space-based solution: wide application of “<a href="https://theconversation.com/tax-returns-for-water-satellite-audited-statements-can-save-the-murray-darling-81833">random audits</a>” of water meters by an independent monitoring system: satellites.</p>
<p>But what if we went further. Forget the random audits – why not use satellites to monitor everywhere in the Murray-Darling Basin, all the time? </p>
<p>It’s another argument supporting Australia’s need of a space agency. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/is-the-murray-darling-basin-plan-broken-81613">Is the Murray-Darling Basin Plan broken?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Australian solutions to Australian problems</h2>
<p>Among the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ten-reasons-why-australia-urgently-needs-a-space-agency-16386">many arguments</a> in favour of Australia having its own space agency, the use of satellites to collect local data to solve local problems is a vital one. </p>
<p>Under the Australian Space Research Program (the ASRP, which ended in 2013), my colleagues and I developed a design for a pair of Synthetic Aperture Radar satellites that would map soil moisture for all of Australia, every 3 days, to a resolution of 10 metres. We called it “<a href="http://www.garada.unsw.edu.au/">Garada</a>”. This system could readily detect overuse of water of the type noted in the Murray Ddarling Basin, as it was occurring. </p>
<p>Our report was delivered to the Space Policy Unit (which later became the <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/australia-launches-first-national-space-coordination-office/news-story/22baa9a891df47315edc99f7e212e871">Space Coordination Office</a>), and then the idea stopped dead. There was no mechanism within the public sphere to advance the project: it fell into the hole where a space agency should have been. </p>
<p>The Garada satellites are big and expensive, not exactly the <a href="https://theconversation.com/investing-in-space-what-the-uk-space-agency-can-teach-australia-28559">low-cost</a>, “Space 2.0”-focused solutions where most of Australia’s opportunities lie (such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-back-in-the-satellite-business-with-a-new-launch-76090">small satellites</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/just-one-small-step-for-australias-space-industry-when-a-giant-leap-is-needed-81100">startup companies</a>).</p>
<p>However, when we did the study, we <a href="http://www.garada.unsw.edu.au/Final%20Report/Garada%20Final%20Report%20-%20Volume%20II%20-%20V03_00.pdf">showed</a> how the satellite system could be viable if it was considered to be infrastructure. We showed that despite a hefty price tag of A$800 million, the satellite would pay for itself if:</p>
<ul>
<li>its data led to an increase of 0.35% in GDP for non irrigated agriculture, or </li>
<li>its data led to a decrease of 7% of irrigation infrastructure, or </li>
<li>it was able to save 1% of Murray-Darling water flows. </li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/ten-reasons-why-australia-urgently-needs-a-space-agency-16386">Ten reasons why Australia urgently needs a space agency</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>In a practical sense, the space agency, which <a href="https://theconversation.com/investing-in-space-what-the-uk-space-agency-can-teach-australia-28559">needn’t have a big budget</a> itself, wouldn’t have to pay for such a satellite; it just needs a seat at the infrastructure table and compare benefit-to-cost ratios with other projects such as roads and railways. In my opinion, one part of the agency’s role, should it exist, is to make sure infrastructure such as this is considered.</p>
<p>Another important thing to acknowledge here is that both the problem and solution here are federal, with multiple states as stakeholders. An agency that functions to solve problems of this type is not consistent with the sort of “go it alone” approach recently put forward by the <a href="https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/jay-weatherill-news-releases/7921-joint-effort-by-sa-and-act-to-launch-national-space-agency">ACT and South Australia</a>.</p>
<h2>Satellites forge ahead</h2>
<p>Even without a space agency, recent years have started to see satellites used to solve Australia-specific problems. The NBN “<a href="http://www.nbnco.com.au/learn-about-the-nbn/network-technology/sky-muster-explained/satellite.html">Skymuster</a>” satellites deliver broadband to remote areas where fibre and wireless solutions were impractical. But they were 100% imported – not an Australian solution.</p>
<p>Start-up <a href="http://www.fleet.space/about/">Fleet</a> in Adelaide has recently received first-round funding to deliver internet of things services to remote areas from a constellation of cubesats. This may have been achieved against the odds without a local ecosystem, but the company’s official stance is “<a href="http://www.fleet.space/open-letter/">Australia can no longer afford not to have a space agency</a>”. A number of other start-ups are also starting to gain traction.</p>
<p>Australian universities have been successful in launching and operating cubesats in the <a href="https://www.qb50.eu/">QB50</a> constellation, such as our own <a href="http://www.acser.unsw.edu.au/QB50">UNSW-EC0</a>. These are the first Australian-built satellites to be launched in 15 years. My own group has also delivered GPS receivers as payloads on Defence missions <a href="https://www.dst.defence.gov.au/news/2017/04/20/biarri-satellite-heads-space">Biarri</a> and <a href="https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/miniature-spacecraft-australian-defence-innovation-ready-fly">Buccaneer</a>.</p>
<h2>Australia not at the space table</h2>
<p>The world’s largest space conference, the <a href="http://www.iac2017.org/">International Astronautical Congress</a> is to be held in Adelaide, September 25-29 2017. </p>
<p>When members of the global space community - <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>, the <a href="http://www.esa.int/ESA">European Space Agency</a>, the <a href="https://www.space.com/22743-china-national-space-administration.html">Chinese National Space Agency</a>, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency">UK Space Agency</a>, and others – meet at the congress to make decisions on missions, strategy, collaborations and other global directions in space, Australia will not be at the table, because we do not have a space agency. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/as-the-world-embraces-space-the-50-year-old-outer-space-treaty-needs-adaptation-79833">As the world embraces space, the 50 year old Outer Space Treaty needs adaptation</a>
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<p>The more general <a href="https://theconversation.com/investing-in-space-what-the-uk-space-agency-can-teach-australia-28559">commercial</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-its-time-for-australia-to-launch-its-own-space-agency-72735">scientific</a> implications related to this have been well outlined. What I have tried to highlight here is simply one example of a possible great many: there are local, practical implications linked to failed advancement of an infrastructure project that relies on expertise in space.</p>
<p>Submissions to the Federal Government’s <a href="https://www.industry.gov.au/industry/IndustrySectors/space/Pages/Review-of-Australian-Space-Industry-Capability.aspx">Review of Australia’s Space Industry Capability</a> closed in August, with many in the industry <a href="https://theconversation.com/just-one-small-step-for-australias-space-industry-when-a-giant-leap-is-needed-81100">hoping</a> that its report in March 2018 will recommend an Australian space agency.</p>
<p>The benefits can be broader than most Australians realise - we need to imagine better.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/83727/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Andrew Dempster works for UNSW. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council. </span></em></p>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.Andrew Dempster, Director, Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research; Professor, School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.