This week delegates across Australia’s space ecosystem and the world came together in Adelaide for the 17th Australian Space Forum.
Australia’s leading space event returned in a new two-day format; brining all segments of the space industry together to share knowledge and generate further opportunities between Australia and the global space industry.
TSA came into force
Minister for Industry and Science, the Hon Ed Husic delivered an address to delegates announcing the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) officially becoming Australian law.
The TSA sends a powerful signal to other global collaborators that the world’s largest space nation trusts Australia and wants to do business here – and that they should too.
~ the Honourable Ed Husic MP
The Minister acknowledged the work of the Australian Space Agency to secure this deal. With the TSA in place, it’s estimated Australian spaceport operators could supply between 45 and 95 space launches over the next decade with a value of between $460 million to 1.2 billion.
Global presence
Australia welcomed major international space players from New Zealand, Europe, Japan and the United States, and hosted Industry delegations from India and South Korea.
In attendance was New Zealand Minister for Space, the Honourable Judith Collins. As part of her attendance, the Minister announced the NZ Government’s partnership with SmartSat CRC on four new joint research projects under its Australia-New Zealand Collaborative Space Program.
The past two days also witnessed the signing of four Memorandums of Understanding four Letters of Intent.
Inspiring the next generation of space explorers
The Kids in Space South Australian showcase also took place alongside this year’s forum.
Over 150 students from 13 primary schools across the state demonstrated their 3D printed space designs to solve challenges here on Earth. The school students received a special visit from Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg – inspiring more kids to look to a career in space and dream big.
Katherine Bennell-Pegg delivers first Australian industry keynote
The Forum welcomed home Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
Katherine delivered her first keynote address to the Australian space sector since her return. Katherine shared insights on the global human spaceflight sector, her training experience with the European Space Agency, and spoke about how she plans to use her influential platform here in Australia.
“I’m humbled by the opportunities the future holds, and I am excited for what this training and experience can unlock.
If it can be leveraged to create further opportunity here at home, and to inspire more young people to lift their aspirations or pursue a career in STEM, then it has been more than worthwhile.”
~ Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian Astronaut
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