Adelaide to host Australian Space Agency, Mission Control Centre and Space Discovery Centre

Adelaide’s Mission Control centre will be able to monitor more than just Australian satellites in orbit — as the Australian Space Agency starts working with international agencies those missions could be watched live from Lot Fourteen as well.

• Australian Space Agency will be based in Adelaide
• City deal to transform Lot 14, old RAH site

Adelaide’s Mission Control centre will be able to monitor more than just Australian satellites in orbit — as the Australian Space Agency starts working with international agencies those missions could be watched live from Lot Fourteen as well.

Much of the fledgling Australian space industry is focused on putting satellites into orbit, but Agency head Dr Megan Clark said this morning that human missions were not out of the question.

“We don’t limit our vision at the Australian Space Agency,” she said.

Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews joined Dr Clark and Premier Steven Marshall at the North Tce site to formally announce that Lot Fourteen will be home to the Mission Control Centre as well as a new Space Discovery Centre, under a multi-million Federal Government investment.

Space cadets will also be able to explore the universe beyond earth at the new discovery centre.

Both initiatives will receive $6 million each as part of the government’s soon-to-be inked City Deal agreement at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site.

Spacecraft in orbit will be monitored at a new Mission Control Centre in Adelaide. Picture: iStock

Earlier, Ms Andrews said the government planned to boost South Australia’s economy through more partnerships in the space industry.

“A Mission Control Centre helps position SA for that,” Ms Andrews said.

“I’m also keen to inspire more Australians to embrace the endless possibilities of space and the Space Discovery Centre will engage our youth to pursue their interstellar dreams.

“SA is already the base for the agency and we’re committed to supporting local space industries, including critical infrastructure, to help grow the space sector — not only in the state, but across the entire nation.”

“We are go for launch.” Cartoon: Jos Valdman

At the centre of Adelaide’s newest innovation precinct, Australian space missions will be monitored and controlled by satellite operators who command their spacecrafts in orbit.

The Mission Control Centre will also help grow the nation’s capability in the space industry, and better position Australian businesses to seize a bigger portion of the US $345 billion global space economy.

Ms Andrews said the facility also meant space businesses could focus on the development of their technology, with the knowledge that there will be Australian facilities to support the operation of a satellite once in orbit.

“It will be available for use by space start-ups and small-to-medium enterprise space businesses, as well as research and educational institutions from across Australia,” Ms Andrews said.

An artist’s impression of part of Lot 14, which will become an innovation hub incorporating the Space Agency. Picture: SA Government

Parents will also be able to give aspiring astronauts a chance to shoot for the stars at a new Space Discovery Centre to be built at Lot Fourteen, that will feature activities such as mission simulation.

It will also provide STEM education, training for tertiary education, and inspiration for young South Australians.

The $12 million announcement forms part of the Adelaide City Deal, announced in December, which is expected to soon be signed by all three levels of government.

The deal means all federal, state and local governments have agreed to a vision for Lot Fourteen for at least 10 years, giving certainty to people moving into the site.

Astronaut Andy Thomas and Premier Steven Marshall at Adelaide University. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Cities Minister Alan Tudge said the Adelaide City Deal was providing funding for innovative projects and supporting job creation in South Australia.

“This is another example of how the Morrison Government is backing SA to grow and create more jobs,” Mr Tudge said.

“Through our investments, Adelaide has become a major centre for defence and space industries and this is another step in that direction.”

Labor has previously said it will not overturn the Federal Government’s decision to headquarter the Australian Space Agency in Adelaide, despite having a policy of putting Canberra at the centre of a Space HQ.