Space phenomena are key drivers of many Earth system process, while secure access to space and space-related services underpins our society and economy. Space science and technology are also exciting areas for educators, students, and innovation driving the new economy. Australia therefore needs to evolve and grow existing world-class research capabilities in space science and technology to produce more scientific discoveries, drive innovation, support growth of the space industry, enhance our social capital, and advance national needs. This requires the advancement of both fundamental and applied space science research, involving collaboration between national and international agencies and groups. A parallel requirement is a plan for broader growth in space-related skills across the innovation sector, through STEM education, outreach and training opportunities.
The (then) National Committee for Space Science released in 2010 the first national plan for space science, 2010-2019 Decadal Plan for Australian Space Science: Building a National Presence in Space. This plan was informed by the efforts of ten working groups and aimed to build a sense of community among space scientists and external constituencies, with activities to foster widespread engagement in common goals while reinforcing the foundations of current research capability. The plan’s vision was for a long-term, productive Australian presence in space underpinned by innovative, world-leading space science and technology, education outreach and international collaborations.
In 2015 the (then restructured) National Committee for Space and Radio Science (NCSRS) surveyed the national space science community to assess views on the value of and progress toward the goals of the 2010 decadal plan. This survey and other developments informed A Vision for Space Science and Technology in Australia: Securing and Advancing Australia’s Interests Through Space Research, released by the NCSRS in 2017. That document outlined opportunities and priorities for Australia to best utilise and innovate in space science and technology in order to generate economic growth, deliver societal benefits and enhance national security.
Much has changed in the national space narrative since the Decadal Plan was published. These changes include: delivery of the Australian Space Research Program over 2009-2013; release of Australia’s Satellite Utilisation Policy in 2013; release of the 2016 Defence White Paper highlighting the need to ensure security of Australia’s space-enabled capabilities; release of the Australian Earth Observation Community Plan 2016-2026; allocation by the Federal Government in the 2018-19 Budget of $260 million to upgrade Australia’s satellite-enabled positioning infrastructure and support national access to reliable, standardised Earth observation data; establishment of the Australian Space Agency in July 2018; release of the CSIRO Space Industry Roadmap in September 2018; release of the Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019-2028 in April 2019. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the Space Industry Association of Australia, and others, have also produced relevant policy documents, and outlets such as the Australian Science Channel provide a focus on Australia’s future in space.
A range of priorities underpin Australia’s space interests. A major focus of the Space Agency is to stimulate the development of Australia’s space industry, while the CSIRO aims to exploit opportunities for growth in space-related products and services. Geoscience Australia is responsible for delivery of the satellite-based National Positioning Infrastructure and the Digital Earth Australia earth observation data platform. However, the bulk of government space investments are in Defence, including $3-4 billion on space-based remote sensing, $1-2 billion on space situational awareness, $1-2 billion on the JORN surveillance radar network, and $750 million to $1 billion on position, navigation and timing capability, all announced in the 2016 Integrated Investment Program. All these figures only cover the acquisition elements, with additional ongoing sustainment and operating costs. New innovative SMEs are emerging in the commercial sector, while large multinational corporations and consortia underpin defence interests. Reliable access to space-based services is integral to our economic and social prosperity, but simultaneously space is becoming more congested, competitive, and contested.
Ongoing concern regarding the engagement of students in STEM disciplines is amplified by the need to grow the supply of highly trained workers in the space-related and innovation sectors.
Space technology has also been transformed during this time. The rapid growth of new capabilities in so-called Space 2.0 technologies is transforming the global space sector. Australian SMEs, university groups and schools can and are now accessing space and developing space-based applications. Collaborations between university groups and defence interests are also developing projects in the national interest. There is much potential to realise new opportunities including downstream services.
Although some areas of space science research capability have declined, new areas have developed in recent years. The low frequency elements of the SKA and its MWA pathfinder rely upon, and provide information on, the state of the ionosphere, while the Curtin University Desert Fireball Network has spawned development of cutting-edge satellite tracking capability, FireOpal. Alongside efforts by the Space Environment Management CRC, the Space group at UNSW Canberra, and Defence, Australia is becoming a key player in space situational awareness. Radio occultation measurements using satellite-based GPS receivers are now being used to improve weather forecasting and climate modelling, while the Space Weather Service at the Bureau of Meteorology is regarded as a world leader in developing space weather user applications. The Service also operates the World Data Centre for Space Weather on behalf of the International Council of Scientific Unions.
Australia also has world-class expertise in remote sensing and Earth observation, aspects of planetary science including evolution of Earth and the origin of life on Earth, the near-Earth space environment including the ionosphere, and space-based life and health sciences. Many aspects of space health sciences may translate to important everyday applications. For example, the physiological and psychosocial challenges of long duration space missions are similar to some of the difficulties faced within our increasingly sedentary and aging population. The provision of effective telemedicine support is as important and demanding for Australians living in remote communities as for space missions. New opportunities for developing big data analytics, training facilities, and habitation technologies for aerospace also have significant everyday applications.
Many Australian space science researchers participate in or lead international research collaborations. This provides opportunity to leverage international expertise to national benefit. In 2017 Australia hosted the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, with 4,500 attendees from over 60 countries. The following major international conferences have been awarded to Australia following competitive selection processes:
COSPAR, the world’s largest space science conference, Sydney, July 2020 with National Science Week
AOGS, Asia-Oceania Geosciences Society conference, Melbourne 14-19 August 2022
URSI AP-RASC, Asia-Pacific Radio Science conference, Sydney, 21-25 August 2022
This project will identify key scientific challenges, changes and trends, and associated applications, which provide new opportunities in space science research and can support development of Australia’s scientific capability and contribute to national priorities. The plan should identify existing space science capability and capacity, provide a vision for the future, set priorities and develop strategies on how that vision may be achieved. The process should be broadly consultative so that the resultant Decadal Plan can be used as an influential document to present our vision to key stakeholders including the research sector, government, government agencies and NGOs, and industrial and research partners both nationally and internationally. It is important the early career researchers and younger people are engaged since they will be most affected by the Plan’s legacy.
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The plan will be developed by the NCSRS and employ the Academy’s successful consultative approach to identifying issues and prioritising research and curriculum needs. The NCSRS will establish a number of expert Working Groups to engage in consultation activities, and an Executive Working Group (EWG) to manage the process and produce the final report. Consultation will take place through surveys and focus group interviews to collate and synthesise information from the perspectives of the learned academies, universities, government agencies, and industry.
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