---
title: "Report: Looking Up from Down Under: Australian Attitudes to national Space Activities (ACSG 2023)"
id: 69283
type: "post"
slug: "report-looking-up-from-down-under-australian-attitudes-to-national-space-activities-acsg-2023"
author: "NSE"
published: "2023-04-26T04:00:00+00:00"
modified: "2023-12-27T01:42:20+00:00"
canonical: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/04/25/report-looking-up-from-down-under-australian-attitudes-to-national-space-activities-acsg-2023/"
markdown_url: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/04/25/report-looking-up-from-down-under-australian-attitudes-to-national-space-activities-acsg-2023.md"
description: "This article summarizes the key points of the report."
language: "en-US"
category:
  - "Space Economy"
post_tag:
  - "Australia"
  - "Government"
  - "Research"
  - "Robotics"
  - "Satellites"
---

# Report: Looking Up from Down Under: Australian Attitudes to national Space Activities (ACSG 2023)

![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/moss-robison-and-deejay-looking-up-from-down-under-8-december-2023-1-01-1.jpg?resize=696%2C986&ssl=1)

[Download document](https://www.spacegovcentre.org/_files/ugd/ff2a5a_76d6c587c5444703acc72faffa81c492.pdf)

## Synopsis

Here is a summary of the key points from the report:

### Key Findings

- Australians are interested in space activities globally and locally, but feel they lack knowledge. About half are interested, but only a quarter feel knowledgeable.
- Awareness of the Australian Space Agency (established 2018) is low, with only around 20% having followed its activities.
- Australians associate space closely with national security. Half believe the defence force should prioritise space.
- Top concerns about space are impacts on Earth from [space debris](https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/07/04/some-very-interesting-statistics-on-orbital-objects-and-debris/) and objects, plus conflicts in space. Settlement of other planets is seen as the lowest risk.
- Satellite infrastructure is viewed as important capability for Australia. Developing launch capabilities is lowest priority.
- Most support government funding space research even without immediate benefits to advance knowledge.
- Highest priority areas seen as communications and earth observation satellites. Robotics in space is lowest priority.
- Uncertainty about whether Australia currently spends too little, too much or the right amount on space.

### Conclusions

- Australians show interest in space but lack awareness of Australia’s space activities and direction. Addressing this knowledge gap can build essential public support.
- Results highlight the complexity of Australia’s relationship with space. Further research across areas like gender and age will add insight.
- Public engagement from government, industry and academia is vital for informed debate on Australia’s space future.