The Australian Space Agency and Austrade have joined forces with the United Kingdom’s Space Agency and Department for International Trade to form a ‘Space Bridge’ to take advantage of future space-related trade opportunities.
Head of the Australian Space Agency, Megan Clark (pictured) said she looked forward to the increased opportunities the Space Bridge would provide.
“This latest agreement builds on a number of recent international agreements that are positioning Australia to play an increasingly important role in the global space industry,” Dr Clark said.
“The Space Bridge will open up new opportunities for Australian space businesses to access the global space sector through future trade agreements.”
Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, Graham Turnock (pictured) said the UK’s space heritage had strong links to Australia, with the first British rockets lifting off from Woomera in the 1950s.
“A Space Bridge agreement will bring significant benefits to both of our thriving space industries, facilitating new trade and investment opportunities and the exchange of knowledge and ideas,” Dr Turnock said.
Chief Executive of Austrade, Stephanie Fahey said that the Space Bridge was an important development in Australia’s fast-growing space industry.
“Australia’s space sector is on the rise, powered by a rapidly growing and innovative base of start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises that are shaped by broader international trends,” Dr Fahey said.
“Austrade is also working with the Australian Space Agency to promote Australian space capability, and to identify and formulate possible solutions to key challenges ahead.”
Completion of a Space Bridge Framework Agreement between the UK and Australia is expected by mid-2020. The agreement will provide scope for a Space Bridge Program of Work to support the aims, objectives and ambitions of both nations.
