This morning the Australian Space Discovery Centre was officially unveiled by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the number one place to visit for those interested in Australia’s space industry.
“The Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the go-to destination for curious minds to learn about the wonders of space and to see themselves as part of Australia’s space story,” the Prime Minister said.
“But the Discovery Centre isn’t just for the young and the young at heart. The cutting-edge Mission Control Centre will enable our local space businesses to track and control their very own missions and satellites, providing critical new capability here on home soil.”
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the exciting national facilities are an investment in Australia’s future – including future jobs in space and other industries.
“Careers in space aren’t all about being an astronaut. From manufacturing, to engineering, space medicine, geology, AI and computing, there are thousands of opportunities being created in this rapidly-growing sector - and we want to inspire the next generation to consider one of these exciting jobs,” Minister Porter said.
“We are establishing infrastructure for critical space flight and engineering capability. Companies and researchers at university will be able to utilise the Mission Control Centre for pre-flight testing, launch support, as well as communications during flight,” said Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre is a brand new, interactive facility in Lot Fourteen on North Terrace in Adelaide. It aims to inspire the Australian community and the next generation of the space workforce through stories of opportunity, curiosity and technology.
The Discovery Centre includes:
- a space gallery featuring hands-on experiences and information on Australia’s growing space sector
- a Careers Hub, which will showcase job opportunities in the local space industry
- information on STEM education options for young people to explore pathways for a future in space
- an operational Mission Control Centre, viewable through a theatrette for live space events, guest speakers and opportunities to engage with space experts
The Discovery Centre has been developed in partnership between the Australian Space Agency and Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre. It will open to the general public in May following rigorous testing with community groups and other organisations throughout April.