Adelaide astronaut Andy Thomas calls for an Australian space program
ADELAIDE’S own astronaut, Andy Thomas, is calling on the Federal Government to go into space.
ADELAIDE’S own astronaut, Andy Thomas, is calling on the Federal Government to go into space.
Dr Thomas says Australia needs fire up its participation in the $350 billion industry to garner potentially thousands of jobs.
“And I am unashamedly pro-South Australia in this since it meshes and overlaps so well with existing local defence industries, especially undertakings such as the submarine build,” he has written in a letter to the Government.
Dr Thomas writes that it is “staggering” that Australia accesses less than one per cent of the industry, and that we need to form a national space agency for participation to really take off.
We’ll be “doomed to be forever dependent” on other nations for space-related security and defence, he says.
“It is time for Australia to enter the 21st Century and seize the opportunities a national space agency participating in this sector will open up,” the retired astronaut has written from Houston, Texas.
“It will change the future of the country in unimaginable ways, and all for the better. It is a winner for everyone, especially the Australian people and the Australian economy.”
The State Government is lobbying the Federal Government to develop an operational base for a national space agency in Adelaide.
“Our proposals centre on national sovereignty as evidenced by other space agencies around the world, drawing on our history with space projects at Woomera,” Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said.
Dr Thomas is advising Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on setting up a space industry after the pair met in Adelaide last year. His advice will form part of a review of the Space Activities Act.
The minister responsible, Arthur Sinodinos, has said he will look into the pros and cons of expanding Australia’s involvement.
After four space flights and a stint as Deputy Director of NASA’s astronaut office, Dr Thomas is well placed to help Australia get more involved.
“These times create a real opportunity for Australia to make strategic investments in this transformative industry leading, potentially to thousands of high-tech blue-collar and white-collar jobs,” he has written.
The Space Industry Association of Australia, which published the letter, is based in Adelaide.
Last month they wrote a White Paper – Advancing Australia in Space.
They say even Australia’s small share of the global industry reaps revenues of up to $4 billion a year and employs up to 11,500 people.
A national space agency should aim to capture four per cent of the world market within 20 years, they say.
They point to the International Astronautical Congress, which Adelaide will host in September:
“Australia will have the attention of the world’s space leaders for an entire week (at) the world’s largest and most prestigious space meeting.”
“This is an ideal opportunity to announce and highlight Australia’s renewed commitment as a global player in the space industry.”