- Australia has set up its own national space agency as it enters the industry
- Acting science minister Michaelia Cash said it was a crucial move for the country
- The government will be aiming to cash in on the $420 billion-dollar industry
- The announcement comes as an international space association is in Adelaide
Australia is set to shoot for the stars as it establishes its own national space agency.
The announcement comes as the government aims to cash in on the $420 billion aeronautical industry and create thousands of jobs.
Acting Science Minister Michaelia Cash said it was ‘crucial’ Australia was part of the rapidly growing industry.
Australia has announced the establishment of its own national space agency (stock image)
Australian astronaut Andy Thomas called for Australia to set up its own space agency
‘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,’ she said.
‘The agency will be the anchor for our domestic coordination and the front door for our international engagement.’
The announcement comes after calls from the International Astronautical Federation and Australian astronaut Andy Thomas for the country to start its own space agency.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham speaks at the International Astronautical Federation conference in Adelaide
Mr Thomas was in attendance at the IAF conference being held in Adelaide, South Australia
The International Astronautical Federation is currently holding its annual conference in Adelaide, South Australia.
Almost 200 written submissions on the new agency have been received by a reference group, while more than 400 people have been consulted across Australia.
Acting Science Minister Michaelia Cash said it was ‘crucial’ Australia was part of the rapidly growing industry (stock image)
The reference group, chaired by former Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation head Dr Megan Clark, will now turn its attention to a charter for the national space agency.
A broader strategy is expected by the end of March.