The two countries will be closely working on Space science, technology, and research to boost social and economic growth.
Australia and India have decided to take their partnership in Space to the next level. In February 2021, the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) signed an MoU, thus opening up opportunities for Australian organizations to work closely with Indian entities under the country’s larger Space program.
At a virtual event on “Commercial Opportunities Across the Australia-India Space Ecosystem”, organized jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), New Space India Limited (NSIL), and Antrix Corporation Limited (ANTRIX), representatives from both the countries came together to discuss how they can enhance Space science, technology, and research collaboration.
“Australia has a long history with Space. For 50 years, Australia has built the ‘eyes and ears’ of Space as part of national and global Space infrastructure. We received the first pictures of Armstrong’s steps on the moon. Now with the support of our own Space agency, we are seeking to facilitate connections across the global Space ecosystem. We have been partnering with Indian Space since 1997, supporting direct collaboration with Indian satellite systems, conducting joint research, and even launching an Australian satellite from an ISRO launching facility. We are keen on doing even more together,” said Barry O’ Farrell AO, Australian High Commissioner to India.
“As the Australian Space agencies work with ISRO to support India’s inspirational Gaganyaan human Spaceflight mission, both the countries are opening up the sector to private players of the world. COVID-19 disrupted launches and supply chains globally, but it has also accelerated convergence in a strategic, economic, and commercial interest,” he added.
Space landscape has changed
“Indian Space program was initiated in the 1960s and India has a long and distinguished record of Space activities. Over the last six decades, India has developed end-to-end capabilities in building, launching, and operating launch vehicles and satellites. Space activities and landscapes have changed over the past few years. The space industry is one of the most lucrative sectors globally. In line with this, several Indian private industries have entered into Space to meet the ever-growing demand in the Space sector,” said Sreerekha U, Assistant Scientific Secretary at ISRO and Managing Secretary of IN-SPACe.
In the last one year, the Government of India has announced Space reforms for unlocking the Space potential of India, leading to the creation of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). “ISRO will continue and enhance the focus on the development of innovative Space applications and the Space technologies towards capacity building. IN-SPACe board has already been constituted and soon it will get established in a full-fledged manner,” added Sreerekha.
Australian Space market to reach $12 billion in 2030
Australia has a thriving Space economy, projected to grow from $3.9 billion in 2001 to $12 billion by 2030, thus, creating 20,000 new jobs. The country also has had a very long history in Space. The Australian Government has invested more than $700 million in the civil Space programme.
“Australia has many unique advantages, from our geographical position in the southern hemisphere to our wide-open spaces and relatively low light pollution, to our expertise in satellite data applications. We are doing international partnerships, growing our own capability to be a responsible global citizen and inspiring all Australians,” said Karl Rodrigues, Executive Director, Engagement and Industry Growth, Australian Space Agency.
There are a lot of complementary skills and talent, Aus-India can work together for developing low-cost and high-performance systems and even joint missions, citing similar views, Dr Zaffar Sadiq Mohamed-Ghouse, Executive Director – Strategic Consulting, Spatial Vision, emphasized, “Australia and India can partner in the Space Spatial sector. Australia can learn from the Indian experience of how Satcom is utilized for telemedicine and dedicated Medsat for Health Services in rural areas. Australia has also been progressing work on Spatial Digital Twins, which will require advance IoT integration. We can offer this experience to India, including policy development.”
Venture Catalyst Space program
“The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) is the peak body for Australia’s Space Industry, helping shape public policy and investment in Space. Aurora brings Space startups together, to collaborate on projects, commercialize leap-frog R&D with research organizations, and build new Space products, services, and systems to win business from local and international customers,” said Dr Tim Parsons, Chair, Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA), and of the SmartSat CRC Aurora Space Startups Cluster (Aurora).
While speaking about the Australian incubation programs and that they were the best way to enter the Australian market, Jasmine Vreugdenburg, Director, Innovation and Collaboration Centre, University of South Australia, said the Venture Catalyst Space program supports founders, entrepreneurs, and startups, to develop and grow innovative or disruptive ideas in the Space sector.
Funding, mentoring and networking support provided during her incubation at the Venture Catalyst Space program run by the University of South Australia gave a strong appreciation for Australia’s strengths in Space and the commercialization of ideas to Vrinda Kapoor from Indian startup 114ai.
What the startups echo
Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company in Australia, said his company was developing in-space transportation capabilities for small satellites, inserting them into desired low earth orbits, geostationary earth orbits, and lunar orbits. Skyroot Aerospace CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana also provided an overview of his tech and services and openness to innovating with Australia.
Awais Ahmed, CEO Pixxel, echoed similar views and spoke about his hyperspectral satellites capable of capturing very detailed imagery. And that his organization was looking at Australia to further expand the global network, and explore partnerships with Australian data application providers.
