Australia was a significant global space player during the 1950s and 1960s. Now we’re one of only two OECD countries not to have a space agency. What happened?
The NASA satellite Landsat-8 collects frequent global multispectral imagery of the Earth’s surface.
NASA
Weather forecasting, bushfire management, power and water supply: Australia relies on earth observations to the tune of A$5 billion a year. But we have very little control over the data we get.
Space isn’t just about rockets and missions to Mars: Australia must invest in space-based infrastructure to manage our resources.
David Moir/AAP
There are local, practical implications linked to failed advancement of infrastructure projects that rely on expertise in space. Protecting Australia’s water is just one example.