A launch pad for more space cooperation in the region.

The latest edition of the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) fostered numerous partnerships and deeper connections across government, industry and academia.  

The Australian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) co-hosted the major event, which welcomed delegates from over 30 countries. With the Indo Pacific Space and Earth Conference and the Andy Thomas Space Education Forum also being held as official side events to APRSAF-30, the week attracted over 700 participants. 

APRSAF-30 was held in Perth from 26th to the 29th of November with special support from the Western Australian Government and the theme was “collaborating to build a sustainable and responsible regional space sector”.  

"As a region, it’s important we continue working together – across government and commercial industries – to optimise our use of space technology and data to enhance decision making and find compelling solutions to the sustainability challenges we face here on Earth.

"At the same time, it’s important we look at ways to preserve the space environment, so as a society, we can continue benefiting from the services space provides us."

~ Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency

The event laid the foundations for high levels of cooperation and collaboration, with a focus on how space can improve life in our region.  Below are some of highlights:

The WA Government is investing $3.5 million into Perth based company LatConnect 60, so it can start building commercial satellites in the state.

The funding will support construction of a satellite assembly facility, suitable for payload development and manufacturing, assembly, and integration.

It builds on $5.8 million invested into LatConnect 60 by our Agency to support the SWIRSAT mission, which will gather higher resolution data on carbon emissions, as part of efforts to address climate change.

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Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, with representatives from LatConnect 60.

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Representatives from Edith Cowan University.

Six Australian universities have joined to together to collaborate with NASA on a project to study lightning events and fire from the ground, air and space.

The IGNIS project uses space technology to better understand thunderstorms, which cause fires – a significant problem in Australia.

The project will start with flights over Western Australia’s southwest next month, to collect engineering data.

The WA Government has allocated additional funding to the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.

ICRAR was established in 2009 to support Australia's successful bid for the world's largest astronomical telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

Radio astronomy expertise from ICRAR and the SKA is being translated to support a range of adjacent industries, including space, agriculture, defence, marine and mining.

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Dr Yamakawa, President of JAXA, WA Minister for Science, the Hon Stephen Dawson, and Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo with representatives from ICRAR.

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A group photo of some of the visiting delegates at APRSAF-30. 
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Working towards a common goal

The Agency is the gateway for the global space sector to engage with Australia across a wide range of space programs and activities.

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Main image caption (L-R): Dr Yamakawa, President of JAXA, WA Minister for Science, the Hon Stephen Dawson, and Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo with representatives from ICRAR.

 Image credit: My Security Media

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We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.