NASA head shares insight in Australia’s role in space exploration

Australia will play a key role in NASA’s plan to return to the moon, with the space agency’s sights firmly on further exploration.

Australia is in prime position to expand its role in space exploration as NASA pursues its plans to return to the moon.

Speaking at the National Press Club on Thursday, NASA administrator and US Senator Bill Nelson says Australia continues to play a vital role in the US space program.

“Australia has been a crucial partner to the US space program for more than six decades,” he said.

NASA is preparing to release more details of its next mission to the moon, while Australia will have an autonomous Australian lunar rover – slated for launch in 2026 – called the Trailblazer program.

NASA deputy administrator Pamela Melroy told the press club Australia was “well poised” to contribute greatly to space programs, especially since the formation of the Australian Space Agency in 2018.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says the Australian and US relationship is vital for space exploration during his National Press Club speech on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms Melroy said Australia was in a prime spot to use its scientific expertise to work with NASA in securing future space exploration.

She said the Rover was the first opportunity for Australia to leverage its very strong robotics capability, but also, importantly, it skills in remote asset management.

“... if you can run a facility from 3000km away in Perth, somewhere in the Pilbara, think it is going to be a piece of cake to do it on the moon,” she said.

“That looks pretty hard to me and I’ve seen some extraordinary capabilities.

“So bringing all those to bear, this is the Trailblazer program is an investment in the future, and I believe that Australia will be known for that capability in the future.”

Ms Melroy said the Australian government’s support of space programs was “very important” for its longevity.

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy says Australia plays a key role in space exploration. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Last year, NASA launched three sounding rockets from the Equatorial Launch Australia spacrport in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

“We were very excited to have the opportunity to take advantage of the unique geographical location in the southern hemisphere to launch sounding rockets with scientific experiment on it out of the Northern Territory last year,” Ms Melroy said.

“It was the first time the United States, NASA, had launched a commercial rocket outside our own country.”

NASA has its sights firmly on learning more about the moon with Australia’s help. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Nelson also shared how the space program planned to announce next week who will be stepping foot on the moon for the first time in decades.

He said three Americans and one Canadian have been selected as part of the NASA space program.

“That’s significant because we go to the moon this time as an international mission,” Mr Nelson said.