Australia has confirmed the establishment of a national space agency that will “support Australian researchers and industries to collaborate as well as gain access to international projects and research infrastructure,” according to its budget document unveiled today.
The Government will provide AUD 41.0 million over four years from 2018-19 to grow the Australian space industry, including by establishing a National Space Agency.
This includes funding of:
• AUD 26.0 million over four years from 2018-19 to establish a National Space Agency,
which will coordinate domestic space activities for Australia; and
• AUD 15.0 million over three years from 2019-20 to establish the International Space
Investment project, which will provide grants to strategic space projects that
generate employment and business opportunities for Australians.
The yearly budget breakdown is as follows:
Former Chief Executive of the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and celebrated geologist Megan Clark has been tipped to be the head of the agency according to a number of sources.
