The Australian space industry has a long and rich history, dating back to the early days of space exploration in the 1950s. While Australia may not have its own large space agency like NASA, it has made many important contributions to space exploration over the past 70 years.
In the beginning, Australia’s involvement focused primarily on supporting the space activities of other nations rather than developing its own sovereign capabilities. However, in recent years there has been a major push to grow Australia’s space industry and establish new launch, manufacturing and research capabilities.
The establishment of the Australian Space Agency in 2018 marked a turning point, providing dedicated leadership and coordination for the development of Australia’s space sector. There are now ambitious plans in place to triple the size of the industry to $12 billion by 2030.
Australia has many natural advantages that make it an attractive location for space activities, especially launch facilities. The vast outback provides plenty of open space with low population densities, the country is located strategically to access desirable polar and equatorial orbits, and the clear skies enable excellent conditions for space tracking and communications.
Early history (1950s–1980s)
Australia’s activities in space first began in the 1950s at the start of the space age. Tracking stations were established at Woomera in South Australia and later near Canberra to support various space missions by the United States and other nations. Australian scientists also began sounding rocket experiments in the upper atmosphere from launch facilities at Woomera.
In 1967, Australia became one of the first countries to launch its own satellite. The WRESAT satellite, designed and built by Australian universities and the Weapons Research Establishment, was launched from Woomera attached to an American rocket. This early success demonstrated Australia’s potential to develop its own space technology.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Australian tracking stations played a vital role in supporting NASA’s manned spaceflight program, including the Apollo missions to the Moon. The Parkes radio telescope gained fame for its role receiving live telemetry from the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969.
While these early activities established Australia’s credentials in space tracking and communications, a lack of government coordination and funding prevented the emergence of a strong domestic space industry. By the 1980s, Australia had fallen behind international developments in space.
National Space Program (1985–1996)
In 1985, the Australian Government established a National Space Program to foster the development of Australian space science and industry capabilities. This included funding the development and launch of the Aussat satellites which delivered the first Australian domestic satellite communications network.
The government also formed the Australian Space Council (later Australian Space Office) to coordinate civil space policy. An expert panel developed a strategic plan with the ambitious vision for Australia to become one of the top ten space industry nations by 2000.
While the National Space Program succeeded in growing Australian space R&D and downstream services, the country still lacked launch capabilities and a large domestic space industry compared to overseas competitors. Government funding and high-level commitments waned through the 1990s. By 1996, the National Space Program concluded without achieving its initial industry growth targets.
However, Australian researchers and companies continued involvement in international space projects throughout this period, gaining valuable expertise. Important infrastructure like the Deep Space Communication Complex near Canberra was also maintained and upgraded.
International collaboration & Earth observation (2000–2010)
In the absence of domestic launch capabilities, Australia’s space activities from 2000 onwards relied heavily on international collaboration, especially with the United States and Europe. Australian universities and the CSIRO participated in high-profile NASA space science missions including Cassini, Mars Exploration Rovers and Kepler.
A growing focus area was Earth observation, leveraging Australia’s geographical advantages for monitoring the Asia-Pacific region. Scientists utilized data from international satellites and aircraft to study land use, agriculture, water resources and climate change impacts across Australia and the region.
Recent developments (2010–present)
After years of lobbying by the space industry, the Australian Government announced the creation of the Australian Space Agency in July 2017. The agency was officially launched in July 2018 with a charter to triple the size of the space sector to $12 billion by 2030.
The Australian space sector experienced a major transformation in 2017-18 with the establishment of a new government space agency and initiatives to expand domestic launch capabilities. These changes aimed to position Australia as an attractive destination for local and international space businesses.
The agency provides central coordination of civil space activities across government and will oversee programs to grow Australian space industry and research. It also functions as a regulator for national space activities and represents Australia in international space forums.
Alongside the agency, the federal and state governments have introduced various measures to enable new space launch facilities in Australia – an important step towards launch independence. Multiple commercial companies are now developing launch sites in South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland.
In 2019, the Australian Government announced funding for the SmartSat cooperative research center based in Adelaide. SmartSat brings together industry and research organizations to develop new satellite technologies with applications in telecommunications, IoT connectivity, Earth observation and advanced manufacturing.
With strong government backing, access to launch infrastructure and a growing pool of local expertise, the scene is set for Australia to realize its potential and take a larger role in the global space economy. The next decade should see greater self-sufficiency in space while Australian technology helps underpin solutions to regional and global challenges.
Summary
While a late starter compared to leading space nations, Australia is now firmly on the path to becoming a key player. The establishment of the Australian Space Agency in 2017 has provided a focal point for industry growth and sovereign capability development.
Australia can leverage its natural assets and homegrown talent to offer competitive space services ranging from launch to Earth observation, telecommunications and space medicine. Close ties with international partners will remain crucial during this growth phase as domestic experience and infrastructure matures.
If strategic long-term support and funding continues, the Australian space industry will create thousands of new high-tech jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity. Just as importantly, Australian space science and technology will underpin solutions to national challenges and help monitor global issues like climate change.
The next decade promises to be an exciting new era for Australia in space. By 2030, Australia could well be launching its own satellites on Australian rockets, while spaceports act as hubs for advanced manufacturing and research. As the Australian space agency motto declares: “We reach for the stars!”.