When it comes to space, Australia has long been seen — and seen itself — as a support act who, with telescopes and technology, makes the bigger nations and space agencies look good as they undertake headline-grabbing missions to the moon, Mars and beyond.
Yet, Australia has its own agency launched in Adelaide in 2017, the Australian Space Agency (ASA). But eight years later, even people within the space sector are questioning whether the ASA is fulfilling – or even has the funds and political support to fulfil – the many hopes and dreams that were pinned to it.
USSC Lecturer in American Studies Dr Kathryn Robison spoke with The Saturday Paper about what the Australian space industry needs to flourish.