Australia and US team up to enhance Earth observations from space

• Australia has teamed up with the US to enhance Earth observations from space, in a deal that secures further data that we use everyday
• A joint statement of intent between the Australian Space Agency and NASA has been signed at the Colorado Space Symposium
• This comes after the Morrison Government committed roughly $1.2 billion to Australia’s first ever National Space Mission for Earth Observation in last week’s federal budget
• The first phase of the mission will include Australia designing, building and operating four satellites

Australia and the United States have teamed up to enhance Earth observations from space, further securing the data that we use everyday.

A joint statement of intent between the Australian Space Agency and NASA has been signed at the Colorado Space Symposium.

This comes after the Morrison Government committed roughly $1.2 billion to Australia’s first ever National Space Mission for Earth Observation in last week’s federal budget.

The first phase of the mission will include Australia designing, building and operating four satellites that will capture globally unique data.

Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the signing places Australia in the global space community.

“For us to unleash the full power of Earth observation we need to work with our closest international partners to share data and learn from one another,” Minister Price said.

“The United States has long been a global leader in land imaging from space.”

The US has been helping Australians with data for decades and this new singing is the first step towards Australia contributing to and enhancing this critical network for the benefit both nations.

Ms Price said the government’s $1.2 billion investment in the National Space Mission for Earth observation is the “most significant in Australia’s history and it’s because of investments like this that global players like NASA are wanting to work with us.”

“The Morrison Government is committed to growing the local space sector because as this mission shows, it benefits the everyday lives of all Australians while also creating high-paying jobs across a range of skillsets.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said the National Space Mission for Earth Observation was a unique opportunity for Australia.

“The National Space Mission is a true milestone in Australia’s space history,” Mr Palermo said.

“It takes us from a consumer to a contributor of Earth observation data, which we all know is a huge part of day to day life.”