The Australian Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Capital Territory Government which establishes a framework of cooperation in the development of space-related industries to boost the growth of the national space sector.
L-R: ACT Chief Minister, Mr Andrew Barr and Head of the Australian Space Agency, Dr Megan Clark AC
Read the full statement
The Australian Space Agency, an Agency of the Government of Australia within the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, located at 10 Binara Street, Canberra City, Canberra (hereafter referred to as the “the Agency”); and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Territory Government, hereinafter referred to individually as “Participant” or collectively as “Participants”,
DESIRE TO BUILD on the co-operation already established between the Participants;
RECOGNISING the wishes of the Participants to mutually grow the size, scope, sustainability and investment of Australia’s national space sector;
CONSIDERING the positive contribution that co-operation in supporting the development of infrastructure, science, research, technology, services and applications will bring to all industry organisations as well as academic and research institutions across the space sector;
RECOGNISING that the Agency’s purpose is to transform and grow a globally respected Australian space industry that lifts the broader economy, inspires and improves the lives of Australians – underpinned by strong international and national engagement;
RECALLING that the Agency areas of strategic priority include communications technologies, services and ground stations; position, navigation and timing infrastructure; space situational awareness and debris monitoring; research and development, including leapfrog technologies; earth observation services; remote asset management in space and on earth; space service and inspiring Australia, education and the future workforce;
RECALLING that the Agency is responsible for whole-of-government coordination of civil space matters and is the primary source of advice to the Australian Government on civil space policy including: providing national policy and strategic advice on the civil space sector; coordinating Australia’s domestic civil space sector activities; supporting the growth of Australia’s space industry and the use of space across the broader economy; leading international civil space engagement; administering space activities legislation and delivering on our international obligations; and inspiring the Australian community and the next generation of space entrepreneurs;
RECOGNISING ACT Government’s commitment to work with Canberra’s higher education institutions and industry to support the development of the space sector in Australia;
RECOGNISING the ACT Government’s efforts in bringing a national focus to the space ecosystem with the development of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed by the ACT, South Australia and Northern Territory governments to advocate for a national approach to sector development;
RECOGNISING the ACT Government is working with industry leaders and local stakeholders to support investment for long term growth in the space industries, including through potential program support under the Priority Investment Program and other business development initiatives;
HAVE REACHED THE FOLLOWING UNDERSTANDINGS:
1. Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (‘MOU’) is to:
- provide a framework for mutual understanding between the Participants regarding common areas of interest and reviewing major areas of future cooperation to develop the space industry;
- facilitate the interchange of information in areas of mutual interest; and
- nominate relevant points of contact for both Participants.
2. Areas of Cooperation
2.1 Subject to the laws and regulations applicable to them, the Participants, through consultation, will decide upon the specific items and scope of cooperation within the framework of this MOU. The proposed collaborative activities are as follow:
- Participants will facilitate collaboration as appropriate in the ACT and across Australia’s national space sector, including:
- working with the ACT Government in several focused sectors but not limited to: quantum communications; deep space communications; design, test and qualification of space hardware; space situational awareness and debris monitoring, earth observation services and technologies, space law, mission assessments and road mapping, and defence-related space activities
- supporting the development of space skills and workforce capability
- supporting critical infrastructure including optical ground stations, communications, as well as communication services and hardware
- supporting and promoting the use of national facilities based in the ACT such as but not limited to the Australian Instrument Technology Centre at the Australian National University and the Australian National Concurrent Design Facility at UNSW Canberra
- supporting and promoting the emerging space start-up ecosystem in the ACT both nationally and internationally
- collaborating with the ACT Government to attract investment to support the growth of the Australian space sector
- collaborating with the ACT Government to leverage its international engagement strategy and sister city relationships to further enhance international collaboration opportunities
- promoting international collaboration opportunities supporting ACT businesses and academia in the participation in international space missions.
- Participants will jointly identify suitable projects of common interest that can be supported and developed by both Participants.
3. Financial and legal provisions
3.1 The Participants acknowledge that this MOU will place no financial, legal or other type of commitment on either Participant.
4. Implementation
4.1 The Participants will arrange meetings by mutual consent to review progress on this MOU.
4.2 The Participants acknowledge that the State and Territories Space Coordination Committee, as defined in the Agency’s Charter, will be used as the forum to review the Agency’s and all States and Territories progress to supporting the growth of Australia’s national space sector.
5. Amendment
5.1 This MOU may be amended by mutual consent of the Participants. The Participant wishing to make an amendment will notify the other in writing. Any amendment will take effect when each Participant has notified the other in writing of its consent to the amendment.
6. Status
6.1 Nothing in this MOU is intended to create any legally binding relationship between the Participants, nor is it intended to have any legal or binding effect on either Participant.
6.2 This MOU does not confer on the Participants any benefit or advantage in relation to any government contract, tender process or transaction or any application for a license, permit or other authority under government legislation.
6.3 This MOU will be without prejudice to the cooperation of either Participant with other states, territories, space agencies or any other entity.
7. Duration and termination
7.1 This MOU will come into effect on the date of signature by both Participants and will continue in operation until terminated by either Participant giving one months’ written notice to the other.
