"We can lick gravity but...": What trajectory for space in Australia?

Abstract

In 2008 the Australian Senate Economics Committee held an inquiry into the state of Australia's space science and industry sector. One of the most important problems identified by the committee was that Australia lacked both a space agency and a national space policy in order to formulate a whole-of-government approach to space issues. This article briefly discusses Australia's historical political lacuna in relation to space before considering how space issues fit within broader contemporary policy frameworks at both the domestic and international levels. Using some of the findings from the inquiry, the author then addresses some core issues that the Australian government should consider when constructing a national space policy.