Australia to sign space deal with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA; Space Fest 2020 to go ahead in SA
Our burgeoning space industry will make a deal this week with JAXA - one of the world’s biggest space programs. Also at least one conference, Space Fest 2020, has escaped COVID-19 restrictions to be held here.
SA News
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Australia and Japan will sign a landmark deal to boost space research collaboration as the two countries seek to forge deeper ties.
It will see the Adelaide-based Australian Space Agency work more closely with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency – one of the five biggest space programs in the world.
The closer liaison will also help grow Australia’s fledgling space industry into a $12 billion sector by 2030.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has also confirmed Space Fest 2020 will likely go ahead in South Australia this year despite COVID-19.
The industry showcase is expected to take place in late November or early December.
It will give SA researchers and companies the chance to compete for a slice of $7 billion the Federal Government has earmarked to boost Defence’s space capabilities over the next decade. That includes developing an independent Australian satellite network.
Scott Morrison is expected to sign the memorandum of co-operation on space with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe when they hold a virtual leaders meeting on Thursday.
China’s rising assertiveness is likely to be discussed, as well as ways to deal with COVID-19. In a statement ahead of the meeting, the Prime Minister said the two leaders would talk about opportunities to “further deepen our defence and security ties” and “ways we can work together, with other regional partners, to help ensure an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
It comes a week after Mr Morrison unveiled a $270 billion 10-year strategy to bolster the military and a stronger defence focus on the region.
Senator Reynolds said Space Fest 2020 would present “significant opportunities” for Defence to work with Australian industry.
The event will see companies and universities take part in a series of trials at Woomera to demonstrate their ability to detect and track objects in space.
“Australia is increasingly reliant on satellite-based capability and services, particularly where digital data and information drives decision-making,” she said.
A $7 billion boost for Defence’s space capabilities would “provide assured access to these services when needed”.
Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price said: “We’re looking forward to seeing Australian industry’s growth since the last SpaceFest and learning more about how we can work together.”
