Australian Space Agency

History made! Overnight, Katherine Bennell-Pegg became the first qualified astronaut under the Australian flag. After 13 months of training with the European Space Agency - ESA in Germany, Katherine graduated alongside the Class of 2022, nicknamed "The Hoppers" - a reference to "hopping" back and forth between different classrooms during their training. “We are proud of Katherine. She will return to Australia a qualified astronaut brimming with knowledge, insights and connections that will help generate global opportunities for our industry,” said Agency Head Enrico Palermo who travelled to Cologne for the graduation ceremony. Explore: https://lnkd.in/gmhdizPq

Our Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) with the United States will unlock “new commercial opportunities for Australian companies”, according to the Hon Minister Ed Husic MP. Minister Husic announced that the TSA has come into effect at The Andy Thomas Space Foundation 17th Space Forum this week. “It’s a great deal for Australia and our space industry,” he said. The TSA can accelerate the development of the Australian 🇦🇺 space industry in the following ways: ✔️ Australian spaceport operators could supply around 45 to 95 space launches over the next decade with an estimated value of between $460 million and $1.2 billion ✔️ Increased investment in local infrastructure due to launch demand ✔️ Further scaling of our launch and return sector ✔️ Expand the market that is open to Australian companies For more information, and to read the whole speech by Minister Husic, visit https://lnkd.in/gdK4xRUY 📷: Southern Launch Koonibba Test Range in regional South Australia

We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think about proposed changes to Australian spaceflight regulations.  We're committed to reducing the regulatory load on applicants for spaceflight authorisations to better achieve the object of the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. We are proposing changes to the General and High Power Rocket rules and we want to hear from you.  Please provide your input to guide these important changes.  More details: https://lnkd.in/gfr8r_Jn  

We’re busy propagating Episode 3 of our Outback To Orbit podcast… which is all about growing plants in space! 🔊 The future of space exploration involves astronauts going on longer missions, so zero-gravity agriculture will be an important source of sustainable nutrition – and potentially also fuel, clean water, and purified air. Our guests Professor Matthew Gilliham (ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space) and Lauren Fell (Lunaria One) will talk us through the ground-breaking Australian-led research they’re doing in this area – including lunar missions of their own – and how their work will also benefit us back here on Earth. 🏵 Subscribe to get the episode when it drops on Monday: https://lnkd.in/ggrVdcAq

New South Wales’ space sector is growing rapidly, and is expected to bring significant social, economic and environmental benefits to people living in the state. NSW businesses can benefit from a new grants program designed to further strengthen their space capabilities. Investment NSW recently announced the NSW Space Program, which will allow businesses to share in $500,000 worth of grant funding to advance their innovative expertise. This program is intended to strengthen the Australian space ecosystem through strategic benefits and collaborations. It will enable the commercialisation of capabilities that are in global demand. The NSW Space Program is being administered by SmartSat CRC and applications are now open. You can learn more and apply for a grant at https://lnkd.in/gF3af68D Submissions close 30 August 2024.

This week in space. 🚀

There was plenty of evidence this week of the power space has to inspire the next generation STEM workforce, as young explorers met Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg at the world’s biggest LEGO store in Sydney. The “meet and greet” was Katherine’s first in-person public event since finishing training in Germany, drawing people from around Australia and generating queues down Pitt Street Mall. It’s part of the Australian Space Agency’s collaboration with the LEGO Group, as we look to excite more young Australians to pursue careers in STEM 🚀 The crowds also got to see space bricks made from meteorite dust – a project in collaboration with the European Space Agency - ESA. Discover more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gGJ8f2kk and keep an eye out for other opportunities to meet Katherine elsewhere in Australia over the coming months.

Teamwork makes the dream work. Australia is drawing on our unique and diverse expertise to deliver Roo-ver – the rover that will head to the Moon with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration later this decade. The teams currently working on the initial design concepts range from fresh out of university to decades in the defence, mining and space sectors. From systems engineers to roboticists and even communications experts – collaboration is key for this history making mission. Watch the final chapter in our video series. Discover more about Roo-ver 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBGZfTCw

Let's take a look back at the stories that made headlines this past week. 🚀

⭐LAST CALL⭐   Don't miss your chance to hear from Eric Ianson, Deputy Director of NASA's Planetary Science Division and head of their Mars Exploration Program.   “Planets and Asteroids and Moons… OH MY!” is happening tomorrow Friday 12 July, 10.30am-12.00pm AEST at the Shine Dome in Canberra.   This FREE event is a collaboration between the Australian Space Agency, The Australian Academy of Science and NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration.   Register now 👉 https://lnkd.in/gCa-jqGA