SYDNEY: Australia on Monday committed to creating a national space agency as it looks to cash in on the lucrative and fast-evolving astronautical sector. The announcement came at a week-long Adelaide space conference attended by the world’s top scientists and experts.

It brings Canberra — which already has significant involvement in national and international space activities — into line with most other developed nations, which already have dedicated agencies to help coordinate the industry and shape development.

According to the government, the global space sector — encompassing innovation, defence, and telecommunications — has been growing annually since the late 1990s at almost 10 per cent, driving revenue each year of US$323 billion. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Australia launching its first satellite, the only country at the time to achieve the feat after the United States and Russia.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2017