Australian Space Agency news
The Australia Space Agency is working to transform and grow a globally respected Australian space industry.
See news and media for all departmental updates.
Moon to Mars: Facilitating space supply chain opportunities
News
18 June 2021
The Australian Space Agency has opened the Moon to Mars Supply Chain Facilitation tender to identify service providers able to assist Australian organisations to enter space supply chains.
Australian Space Agency and ESA announce construction of new deep space antenna
Media release
30 April 2021
The 35-metre deep space antenna will be at the European Space Agency’s New Norcia station, 140 kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia.
Australian Space Discovery Centre is go for launch!
News
31 March 2021
The Australian Space Discovery Centre has been unveiled by the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia.
Partial cost recovery for space launch and return applications
News
16 March 2021
We are now inviting public consultation on the implementation of partial cost recovery for space applications.
Dr Beth Jens: An inspiring space career
News
8 March 2021
International Women’s Day: Dr Elizabeth Jens a successful and inspiring Australian woman, who landed her dream position with NASA.
Space Bridge to unite Australia and UK space industries
International partnerships
24 February 2021
Australia and the United Kingdom have strengthened their ties in space, with the signing of the Space Bridge Framework Arrangement.
Space Bridge to unite Australia and UK space industries
News
24 February 2021
Australia and the United Kingdom have strengthened their ties in space, with the signing of the Space Bridge Framework Arrangement.
Australian Space Agency signs with Indian Space Research Organisation
News
17 February 2021
The agreement will encourage collaboration between both countries across civil space activities.
Moon to Mars initiative: Launching Australian industry to space
News
16 February 2021
The Moon to Mars initiative is an inspiring program that is strengthening, growing and transforming the Australian space industry.
Accelerating the space industry: A message from new Agency Head, Enrico Palermo
News
28 January 2021
Enrico Palermo the new Head of the Australian Space Agency shares his vision.
Purra goes to space with NASA and SpaceX
News
5 January 2021
The Australian Space Agency had precious cargo onboard Crew Dragon Resilience in the form of its toy space kangaroo named Purra.
Space roadmap for communications technologies and services
News
22 December 2020
The first in a series of seven roadmaps. Communication technologies and services provides strategic direction to inform, guide, and support the growth of the industry.
Hayabusa2 mission accomplished
News
11 December 2020
In the early hours of Sunday 6 December, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) welcomed an arrival back from space.
Findings from the Bushfire Earth Observation Taskforce
News
7 December 2020
Satellite based Earth observation systems support Australians through emergency management activities. The Taskforce examined the decisions required to manage bushfire risk management.
Mission ready testing of space equipment
News
17 November 2020
The Australian Space Agency has opened the Space Infrastructure Fund Payload qualification grant - to develop a new space payload testing and qualification capability in Australia.
AI crew to support astronauts in space
Case study
16 November 2020
Artificial intelligence (AI) company Akin is creating software for a prototype AI space crew.
A new Head for the Australian Space Agency
News
13 November 2020
Australia has found their new Head of the Australian Space Agency. Mr Enrico Palermo is currently Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Galactic Holdings.
Launching Australian businesses into space
News
3 November 2020
The Australian Space Agency has opened the Moon to Mars Demonstrator Feasibility grants to help local businesses and researchers develop and launch products into space.
Australia signs NASA’s Artemis Accords
Media release
14 October 2020
Australia among the first partner countries joining NASA on international cooperation with the signing of the Artemis Accords.
Virtual reality training for space exploration
Case study
13 October 2020
Raytracer will develop underwater virtual reality training simulations for astronauts.
World Space Week: Six ways satellites improve our lives
News
2 October 2020
The theme of this year’s World Space Week is satellites improve life. We are taking this opportunity to appreciate satellite technology and its incredible benefits.
Protecting national safety is critical for Australia’s emerging space launch capability
News
15 September 2020
A statement from Head of the Australian Space Agency, Dr Megan Clark AC.
Real time traffic management in space
Case study
15 September 2020
Industrial Sciences Group is developing a new tool to help satellite operators assess the risks to satellites from collisions with space debris.
New frontier for space supply chains
News
27 August 2020
The Australian Space Agency has opened the Moon to Mars Supply Chain capability improvement grants to boost local businesses into national and global space supply chains.
Hayabusa2 re-entry capsule to land in South Australia
News
19 August 2020
Approval has been issued for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) asteroid sample return capsule.
Spacesuits for preserving human health
Case study
18 August 2020
Next gen compression suits to protect astronauts from the physical strains of space and help athlete recovery on Earth.
Future space missions: tell us more
News
17 August 2020
The Australian Space Agency is seeking information from industry on intended or desired Australian space missions to support access to space.
Australian Space Agency signs with NT Government
State and territory cooperation
24 July 2020
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Northern Territory Government.
New space collaboration with NT
State and territory cooperation
24 July 2020
The Australian Space Agency is strengthening space collaborations with the Northern Territory Government.
NASA’s GLOBE education program
News
14 July 2020
NASA and the Australian Space Agency have signed a cooperative agreement to re-engage in the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment program.
Australia set to welcome JAXA’s Hayabusa2
News
14 July 2020
Japan’s asteroid explorer Hayabusa2 plans to depart Ryugu in December 2019 with retrieval operations planned to occur Woomera.
Australia and Japan strengthen space collaborations
News
9 July 2020
The Australian Space Agency is building further space ties with Japan
M2M consultation showcases space industry growth areas
News
2 July 2020
We are designing a program to get Australian industry participating in international missions that will take humans back to the Moon and on to Mars.
Two years successfully transforming the Australian space industry: A message from Head, Dr Megan Clark AC
News
1 July 2020
The Australian Space Agency celebrates its second anniversary.
Perth supercomputing grant to enhance space data
News
23 June 2020
Pawsey Supercomputing Centre has received a $1.5 million Australian Government grant to establish a new space data analysis facility.
WA company gets $4.5m grant to develop new space centre
News
23 June 2020
Fugro Australia Marine has received a $4.5 million grant to help develop a space command and control complex for robotics and artificial intelligence.
International Space Investment initiative grants
News
17 June 2020
Ten projects from across the nation will benefit from $11 million in space grants.
Grant to establish national space Mission Control Centre
News
16 June 2020
Saber Astronautics has been awarded a $6 million Space Infrastructure grant to establish the national Mission Control Centre in Adelaide.
Our Indigenous astronomical traditions
News
29 May 2020
For Reconciliation Week, astrophysicist and proud Wiradjuri woman, Kirsten Banks, shares an Indigenous Australian perspective on the sky’s constellations.
A dream to take medicine to the outer limits
News
20 May 2020
Aspiring space doctor, Vienna Tran found her passion in space when she visited an observatory as a child.
Spotlight on space careers
News
18 May 2020
The Australian Space Agency talks to three early career space engineers about their work.
Koalas in space
News
1 May 2020
In 2017, NASA sent a stuffed toy koala and its joey to the International Space Station, then presented them as a gift to the Space Industry Association of Australia.
How space is helping the world respond to COVID-19
News
22 April 2020
The scale of COVID-19 demands industries support the global fight. The space industry is helping us visualise the impact and stay connected.
Economic activity survey to measure Australian space sector growth
News
10 March 2020
We invite organisations contributing to the space industry to complete an economic activity survey of the Australian space sector. The survey closes 31 March.
Australian Space Agency opens in Adelaide
News
19 February 2020
The offices, based at Lot Fourteen, are an important step in the development of the Agency.
Australian Space Agency signs statement of intent with Italian Space Agency
International partnerships
17 February 2020
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with the Italian Space Agency to consider a joint Australia-Italy activity on the International Space Station.
Moon to Mars Program design: Have your say
News
5 February 2020
The Australian Space Agency is consulting across the country to help design the $150 million Moon to Mars initiative. Request for input closes on 6 March.
Partial cost recovery for launch and return applications
News
21 January 2020
The government has agreed to introduce partial cost recovery arrangements for space launch and return applications.
Australian Space Agency signs with Gilmour Space Technologies
Australian industry joint statements
11 December 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Gilmour Space Technologies
Australian Space Agency signs with Gilmour Space
News
11 December 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Gilmour Space.
Space infrastructure project grants open
News
10 December 2019
Applications are now open for grants to establish both a Mission Control Centre, and Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre.
Australian Space Agency signs with Thales Australia
Australian industry joint statements
3 December 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Thales Australia Pty Ltd.
Lasers at forefront of space tracking systems
News
2 December 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with EOS Space Systems, an Australian space tracking company.
Australian Space Agency signs with EOS Space Systems
Australian industry joint statements
2 December 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with EOS Space Systems.
Innovative satcomms transforming space sector
News
19 November 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with EM Solutions, who develop high speed telecommunications products.
Australian Space Agency signs with EM Solutions Pty Ltd
Australian industry joint statements
13 November 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with EM Solutions Pty Ltd
Australian Space Agency at GEO Week 2019
News
7 November 2019
The Australian Space Agency was a key supporter of the inaugural GEO Week 2019 Industry Track.
Australia at the 70th International Astronautical Congress
News
28 October 2019
The Australian Space Agency had a big week at the 70th International Astronautical Convention in Washington DC.
Australian Space Agency signs with Maxar at IAC
Media release
23 October 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with US based company, Maxar Technologies, overnight at the 70th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Washington DC.
Australian Space Agency signs with New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
International partnerships
22 October 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a letter of intent with the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Australian Space Agency signs with German Aerospace Center
International partnerships
22 October 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a letter of intent with the German Aerospace Center.
Australian Space Agency signs with Italian Space Agency
International partnerships
21 October 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Italian Space Agency.
Space Bridge to link Australia and UK space industries
News
26 September 2019
Australia and the United Kingdom will strengthen their industry ties through the formation of a Space Bridge.
Australian Space Agency signs with Tasmania
Media release
26 September 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tasmanian Government.
Australian Space Agency signs with Tasmania
State and territory cooperation
25 September 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tasmanian Government.
Australian Space Agency signs with United Kingdom
International partnerships
24 September 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Joint Statement of Intent with the United Kingdom Space Agency.
Australia to support NASA’s plan to return to the Moon and on to Mars
News
22 September 2019
The Australian Space Agency and NASA have launched a new partnership on future space cooperation.
Australian Space Agency signs with NASA
International partnerships
21 September 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Joint Statement of Intent with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Inaugural Australian Space Agency Advisory Group meeting
News
5 September 2019
The independent Australian Space Agency Advisory Group gathered to review and advise the strategic direction and performance of the Agency.
Space infrastructure projects: have your say
News
5 September 2019
The Australian Space Agency is consulting with the public about the program design of 2 infrastructure projects. Consultations open until 24 September.
Driving space sector growth across the nation
News
30 August 2019
The Space Infrastructure Fund and the International Space Investment initiative will fill space infrastructure gaps and support space projects.
New space activities regulations launch
News
30 August 2019
From today, the Australian space industry will have an improved, streamlined process for launching to space and returning to Earth.
Growing the space industry through cutting-edge downstream capabilities
Media release
30 August 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Australian SME FrontierSI, who deliver spatial information services.
Australian Space Agency signs with Frontier SI
Australian industry joint statements
29 August 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Frontier SI
Australian Space Agency signs with Maxar Technologies
Australian industry joint statements
22 August 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Maxar Technologies.
Collaborating in communications to grow Australia’s space industry
Media release
16 August 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Australian company, Speedcast International.
Australian Space Agency signs statement of intent with European Space Agency
International partnerships
15 August 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with the European Space Agency to explore deeper cooperation.
Australian Space Agency signs with Speedcast
Australian industry joint statements
6 August 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Speedcast International Ltd
Building the components of a vibrant space industry
Media release
26 July 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with XTEK.
Australian Space Agency signs with XTEK
Australian industry joint statements
18 July 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with XTEK Ltd.
Australia and the first Moon landing
News
18 July 2019
It’s 50 years since the Apollo 11 mission landed on the Moon. Many nations, including Australia, supported this historic feat.
Australian Space Agency signs with Myriota
Australian industry joint statements
15 July 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Myriota.
Building satellite IoT capability
Media release
15 July 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Statement of Strategic Intent and Cooperation with Australian space start-up Myriota, to enhance the capabilities of Australia’s space industry.
Australian Space Agency signs with Western Australia
State and territory cooperation
10 July 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Western Australian Government.
Australian Space Agency 1 year on: A message from Head, Dr Megan Clark AC
News
1 July 2019
Dr Clark looks back on the Agency’s achievements and forward to the next 10 years of growing our space industry.
International space investment: have your say
News
6 June 2019
Help us design a new Australian Government program to support businesses and researchers with international space projects.
Sounding for launch
News
31 May 2019
NASA looks to Australian company Equatorial Launch Australia to conduct rocket launches for scientific investigations.
Space Symposium roundup
News
23 April 2019
Space organisations, agencies and enthusiasts from all over the world made their way to Colorado Springs in April to network with the space industry.
The Australian Space Agency is hiring
15 April 2019
We are recruiting five positions to be based in Adelaide. Read information for candidates and frequently asked questions.
Australian Civil Space Strategy: A message from Head, Dr Megan Clark AC
News
3 April 2019
Advancing Space, the Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019–28, sets out a 10-year path to guide the growth of Australia’s space sector.
Australian Space Agency signs with the Boeing Company
Australian industry joint statements
26 March 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with the Boeing Company to help advance the Agency’s goals to expand Australia’s domestic space industry.
Australian Space Agency signs with Woodside Energy Ltd
Australian industry joint statements
26 March 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Woodside Energy Ltd.
Australian Space Agency signs with ACT Government
State and territory cooperation
12 March 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ACT Government.
Balance for better in space
News
8 March 2019
This International Women’s Day the Australian Space Agency calls for better balance in the space industry.
Australian Space Agency merchandise
News
1 March 2019
Australian Space Agency merchandise is now available at Questacon.
Australian Space Agency signs with NSW Government
State and territory cooperation
28 February 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NSW Government.
Australian Space Agency signs with Goonhilly Earth Station
Australian industry joint statements
25 February 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Goonhilly Earth Station to collaborate and create new opportunities in the space economy in Australia, the UK and beyond.
Australian Space Agency signs with United Arab Emirates
International partnerships
14 February 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Space Agency
Australia and United Arab Emirates partner in space
Media release
14 February 2019
The Australian Space Agency has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency.
Australian Space Agency signs with Lockheed Martin Australia
Australian industry joint statements
29 January 2019
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Lockheed Martin.
Australian Space Agency – past, present and future
News
12 December 2018
The Australian Space Agency brand reflects our past, present and future. Read more on the new brand and the link between space and Australia’s Indigenous people, the world’s oldest astronomers.
Australian Space Agency location and identity: A message from Head, Dr Megan Clark AC
News
12 December 2018
The Government has announced the location of the Australian Space Agency. This new base provides an exciting location for the Agency to transform and grow the Australian space industry.
Australian Space Agency signs with Nova Systems Australia
Australian industry joint statements
6 December 2018
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Nova Systems Australia, confirming Nova Systems commitment to enhancing the capability and competitiveness of the Australian space sector.
Comments welcomed on cost recovery for approvals of space activities
News
30 November 2018
Provide input on how the Australian Space Agency proposes to implement cost recovery charges for approvals under The Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018.
New charter supports the development of space priorities
News
30 October 2018
The Australian Space Agency Charter provides a high-level strategic overview of the Agency and outlines approved governance arrangements.
100 Days of the Australian Space Agency
News
9 October 2018
During its first 100 days, the Australian Space Agency has defined its purpose, values and responsibilities and achieved key milestones.
Australian Space Agency signs with Sitael Australia
Australian industry joint statements
4 October 2018
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Sitael Australia to enhance the capability and competitiveness of the Australian Space sector.
What World Space Week means to me
News
4 October 2018
Astronomer-at-large, Fred Watson, reflects on the dawn of the space age.
Australian Space Agency signs with United Kingdom Space Agency
International partnerships
2 October 2018
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom Space Agency.
Australian Space Agency signs with Canadian Space Agency
International partnerships
2 October 2018
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Canadian Space Agency.
Australian Space Agency signs with Airbus
Australian industry joint statements
27 September 2018
The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of intent with Airbus which includes support for space discovery, technology development and connectivity, and STEM education in Australia.
Australian Space Agency signs with French Space Agency
International partnerships
1 September 2018
The Australian Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES).
Australian Space Agency wants to hear from businesses and organisations
News
3 August 2018
The Australian Space Agency will be hosting consultation forums across Australia during August.
Australian Space Agency launches operations: A message from Head, Dr Megan Clark AC
News
29 June 2018
Our Agency will be one of the most industry-focused space agencies in the world, engaged internationally and demonstrating Australia can be a leader and a responsible global citizen, drawing on our home-grown Aussie ingenuity.