Australia needs a national space strategy

The Australian Space Agency released a civil space strategy in 2019, but Defence hasn’t followed suit. It’s time for a national space strategy to guide how Australia protects its security interests in a contested high frontier.

One giant leap for Richard Branson

Richard Branson’s jaunt to the edge of space may look like a publicity stunt, but it’s actually another small step towards an exciting future of commercial space travel.

Bringing reusable rockets to Australia

The development of re-useable rockets brings the promise of rapid, low-cost access to space a step closer, and increases the attractiveness of Australia as a potential launch site for both civilian and military purposes.

All eyes on Taiwan

Having isolated Taiwan on the international stage through political and economic pressure, Communist China is stepping up ‘grey zone’ and military operations and seems intent on invasion.

The West must defend Taiwan

To turn away from a fellow democracy under threat from an aggressive authoritarian neighbour would make a mockery of the values we advocate and lower our credibility in the eyes of many developing countries.

Seven sisters into space

A consortium of companies in South Australia, led by small-satellite developer Fleet Space Technologies, is preparing for a series of missions to the moon as well as planning for future missions to Mars.

Australia’s rising star in space

Australia is one of eight nations to commit to the Artemis Accords, an agreement setting out principles for cooperation in civil exploration and peaceful use of the moon, Mars, near-earth comets and asteroids.

Manufacturing initiative risks squandering Australia’s opportunity in space

Although space technology is noted as a priority in the Government’s “modern manufacturing initiative”, an old fashioned approach to projects may not be enough to boost the growth in capability we need.

Ready for lift-off?

The release last week of Australia’s defence strategic update, and its accompanying force structure plan, gives this nation the opportunity to align its defence space policy with that of the US.

Are manned fighters obsolete?

Elon Musk has told an American Air Force conference that ‘the fighter jet era has passed’. The British Defence Minister Duncan Sandys said the same thing in 1957, launching a disastrous white paper which destroyed much of the British aircraft industry. Is Musk right this time? Or is he making the same mistake of 63 years ago?

Spy games in space

Space is ‘contested, congested and competitive’ and superpower conflicts in orbit are intensifying, with Russian, Chinese and American craft trailing and even threatening each other.

Australia needs a northern launch platform

Australia is well placed to launch payloads into space from its far north, given its proximity to the equator, and a northern launch centre could help boost the nation’s space and technology industry.