SA former astronaut Andy Thomas calls for NASA to open office in Australia

It’s been almost a decade since the US space agency’s boss visited but SA astronaut Andy Thomas says now is the time to set up here permanently.

A South Australian former astronaut has called for NASA to open an office in Adelaide amid news NASA’s administrator is arriving on Monday.

Andy Thomas, a former NASA shuttle astronaut, said he believed “the time is right” for a NASA office to reopen in Australia.

“Australia’s position has changed, not just because of AUKUS but because Australia now has a developing space industry,” he said.

“I think it’s time that the national office is reactivated.”

Astronaut Andy Thomas at the SA Museum. Picture: Kelly Barnes/The Australian

Dr Thomas said it would be up to NASA to decide where the national office would be.

“The logical places are either Canberra for political reasons or Adelaide for technological reasons,” he said.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson is arriving in Adelaide on Monday to tour the Australian Space Agency located at Lot Fourteen in Adelaide’s CBD.

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said Mr Nelson would tour the agency, “engage with our team” and have meetings at Parliament House.

“This is probably a once in a decade time opportunity,” he said.

“It shows how far and the strength in this relationship that they’re making this visit.”

The last time NASA’s administrator came to Australia was 2014.

Dr Palermo said the Australian Space Agency has a “terrific long term relationship with NASA”.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. Picture: Chandan Khanna/AFP

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during a visit to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Picture: Olivier Douliery/AFP

He said the relationship “couldn’t be stronger” but could not comment on whether NASA would open an office in South Australia.

“All I’ll say is we’ve got a terrific relationship with NASA that I think really underpins the strategic alliance we have with the US.”

He said if NASA was to open an office, “obviously the headquarters for Australian Space Agency is in Adelaide”.

Dr Palermo said “equally you could say maybe it’s time for the Australian Space Agency to have an office in the US to strengthen the relationship both ways”.

Enrico Palermo, head of Australian Space Agency with a satellite at the Lab. Picture Matt Turner.

While there are no immediate plans to open an Australian office in the US Mr Palermo said the agency receives “great support” from the US.

Former astronaut Mr Thomas said despite AUKUS being primarily about submarines, the “Trans-Pacific treaty alliance” will benefit by growing technology and scientific collaboration.

“What agency represents science and technology better than NASA?” he said.

“A NASA presence in Australia will be very timely, especially now that Australia has a space agency.”