ADELAIDE, S.A. (Southern Launch PR) — In a historic announcement the Koonibba Test Range, developed by Southern Launch with strong support and involvement from the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, has been approved to host rocket launches to space.

Australia’s first ever Launch Facility Licence was signed by the Hon Karen Andrews MP Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology after Southern Launch completed the licensing process through the Australian Space Agency, which in January 2021 welcomed its new Head, Mr Enrico Palermo.

CANBERRA (Karen Andrews PR) — The Morrison Government is backing a series of projects designed to grow Australia’s space sector and create local jobs, including improving GPS technology and the design of innovative spacesuits that will make spacewalking easier.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the 10 projects sharing in $11 million [USD $7.6 million] would boost jobs and skills in the space sector, and contribute to the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

CANBERRA & PERTH, Australia (Karen Andrews/Dave Kelly PR) — The Morrison and McGowan Governments are investing in new space technologies in Western Australia, to help a range of industries across the nation to grow and create new jobs.

Fugro Australia Marine will receive $4.5 million [USD $3.1 million] from the Commonwealth to build the Australian Space Robotics, Automation, and AI Command Control Complex (RAAICC) in Perth. The Complex will open the door for start-ups, small businesses and researchers to control robotics activities in space, including servicing satellites in orbit.

CANBERRA (Australian Government PR) –A Gold Coast company that has already caught the attention of NASA has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with the Australian Space Agency.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the agreement with Gilmour Space Technologies, which specialises in rocket technologies, highlighted the exciting developments underway in Australia’s space sector.

“This new partnership shows the breadth of capabilities being developed in Australia, supporting our mission to develop and grow the Australian space industry over the next ten years,” Minister Andrews said.

CANBERRA (Australian Government PR) — The Australian Space Agency has signed an agreement with space and defence giant, Thales, further strengthening Australia’s international space connections to create new local jobs.

Thales is a French company operating and investing in the Australian space and defence sectors, delivering satellite-based systems.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said this Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation is another important step in the Morrison Government’s plan to create opportunities for Australian industry and new local jobs.

CANBERRA (Australia Ministry for Industry, Science and Technology PR) — Australia could work with Europe on future space missions, thanks to a joint statement of intent signed between the Australian Space Agency and the European Space Agency.

The statement outlines an intention to explore deeper cooperation and identify projects in a range of areas including deep space, communications, navigation, remote asset management, data analytics and mission support.

CANBERRA (Karen Andrews MP PR) — The 2019-20 Budget demonstrates the Morrison Government’s commitment to new industries and skills, while also ensuring we support traditional Australian industries and jobs, to further strengthen our economy.

These initiatives complement our other commitments to grow Australian industries by supporting more exports and free trade, making energy more reliable and affordable, and delivering a new skills package.

The Morrison Government is delivering a new $19.5 million [US$13.9 million] national Space Infrastructure Fund to support our emerging domestic space industry. This means money on the ground to help triple the size of the Australian space sector to $12 billion [US$8.5 billion] and increase employment to 30,000 jobs by 2030, as part of our plan to create more jobs and growth in emerging sectors of the economy.

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