Space and the Australian Election Part II

Well, in my most recent post about Space and the Australian election I said: "Space, whilst not being the number one topic, is increasingly gaining influence. " How quickly that would prove true, with the NBN playing a major role in the decision of who should form government - particularly the NBN as it relates to outback Australia - read Satellite Broadband.

Now NewSat has joined in the debate strongly by taking out a half page advertisement in the Australian Financial Review highlighting how they could provide Satellite broadband much better than the planned services for the NBN. Clearly, NewSat has an enormous vested interested in attacking the NBN plans, as it recently had its proposals rejected by NBN, and stands a much better chance of success with its own services if the NBN plan is cancelled.
However, in this article for ITWire, NewSat chief executive officer Adrian Ballantine has highlighted how suitable satellite broadband is for Australia's geography. He is quoted as also saying:

“Yet unbelievably we are the one country in the OECD without a space policy. This illustrates that the key decision makers who have shaped broadband policies have been lacking the right knowledge about what is possible, what is needed and what is the right solution.”

 
The article goes on to identify how the Government has recently been making improvements through the Space Policy Unity and the Australian Space Research Program. 

From an Australian Space Industry Perspective, I couldn't agree more with Mr Ballantine. Australia is one of the best suited countries geographically speaking to utilise Space based services for many things - including Communications. And to not have a serious knowledge within the Australian government, is a bad outcome for Australia in general.

Although to counter the NewSat arguments, Satellite based broadband makes sense where ground based technologies become cost-ineffective, which is true in many parts of Australia. The different between GEO based broadband and fibre, is the much greater latency issues associated, which causes problems for real-time applications such as voice calls and gaming. I'd also argue that a guaranteed 12MBps is much better than the "chance" of getting any other service, and much better than the dial-up connections that some still have to cope with. 

However, other Space Based solutions may also be available to solve that problem. For example, the people at O3B (or Other 3 Billion), are currently developing a LEO constellation to provide communications network, to provide communications to the "Other 3 Billion" - or those who currently don't have access to it worldwide. This type of system might work very well in the regional parts of Australia.

Whatever side you are on, this is a clear example where Space technology is increasingly part of Australia's national needs. The least we can do is have a debate that is truly informed by Australian Space experts - underpinned by a National Space Policy. Only then can we fairly decide how best to use Space for Australia.

Space and the Australian Election

The Australian Election is just around the corner and as Australians prepare to vote, Space, whilst not being the number one topic, is increasingly gaining influence. As it is not covered well in the main stream media, I thought I'd pen a few thoughts of my own on the issue.


Where were we at the last election?


The Australian Space Sector had been in the wilderness for around a decade. The Howard government had chosen to take a "hands-off" approach to the sector, and besides the Space Licensing office for regulation of space activities, there was very little government involvement. We also had the start of the "Australia: Lost in Space?" Senate report, but otherwise, there was not much to talk of as far as the Australian Government is concerned.


Where are we now?


Since the election, we've had the release of the Senate Report, the Defence White Paper with several relevant Space announcements, the start of the Australian Space Research Program, the setup of the Space Policy Unit, a new Space.gov.au website, the announcement of 2 Ka Band Communications satellites as part of the NBN, and the formation of the Space Industry Innovation Council. Not to mention, many, many new space projects in Australia through the ASRP, several new space courses including the new ISU course in Australia, and the recent landing of the Hayabusa probe at Woomera.


When you think about it, that is absolutely HUGE progress in 3 years since the last election. From where we stood then, it is hard to believe that so much has been achieved!


What does the future hold?


The next term of the federal government holds several key events for the Australian Space Industry.


1. Australian National Space Policy
        The Space Policy Unit is rapidly working on developing an Australian Space Policy. Under a labour  government, it is probably likely to continue it's current course, however under a liberal government, it might be reviewed or cancelled.


2. The announcement of the SKA
        The location of the SKA facility will be announced in 2012. I would suggest both sides of politics would be working hard to secure this for Australia, as it will bring massive economic, development and scientific benefits to the country. I'll rate the two parties even on this one.


3. The potentail for 2 new NBNCo Satellites
        NBNCo is a labour policy. If labour gets in, my bet is before the next election, there will be two half built Ka Band Satellites ready by the next election (if they're not already launched, or timed to launch near the next election!). If the libs get in, perhaps Optus will pick up the slack, or maybe NewSat, but it's unlikely that we'll see the same level of activity or investment as we will under NBNCo.


4. Steps Closer to an Australian Space Agency
        This one is perhaps the hardest to answer. I would guess that under a liberal government, there would be almost no chance of a Space Agency in the next term of government. If Labour gets in expect steps in the right direction, but perhaps an Australian Space Agency may need to wait until the next term.


So overall, I think it would be fair to say that Labour is a much better vote if you want to see progress in Space in Australia. They've achieved amazing things in the sector in just 3 small years, and for that they should be congratulated. I hope by the next election, we can see a lot more runs on the board for Space, and even some strong bi-partisan support for Space activities.

Australian Space Science Conference Coming Up

For those Australians interested in Space Science, the 10th Australian Space Science Conference (ASSC) is coming up in Brisbane from the 27th to the 30th of September.

Perhaps most importantly, the ASSC will this year be run in conjunction with the NCSS's workshop on implementing Australia's first Decadal Plan for Space Science, which is "ready to be published" according to the conference website. With a increasingly stronger and cohesive Australian Space Science community, and a receptive Australian government, this may set the future direction for Australia's space activities for the next few years. So if you're interested, make sure you get along.


Further information can be found on the conference website here.

National Space Camp Woomera Applications Open

Applications for the South Australian Space School's National Space Camp Woomera 2010 are now open. The Space camp is a residential conference for year 11 students from around Australia, with 40 students selected to participate.

The conference will be held from the 30th of Sept to the 4th of October 2010 in both Adelaide and Woomera.

For further information, head here.

ISU and Uni SA release information on Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program

In a truly rapid turn around, the ISU, together with the University of South Australia has begun releasing information on their new "Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program", that was recently successful in a ASRP grant.

The program somewhat mirrors the ISU summer program, and will be undertaken in Adelaide for the next 3 years, before alternating between Australian and other Southern Hemisphere Countries.

What a brilliant outcome for the ASRP already. I myself am definitely interested in this one, and I'd suggest that many Australians in the Space industry will become involved in this program.

For more information, or to register your interest further, head over to the ISU website article here.

DSTO Looking for new Head of Satellite Communications

DSTO is advertising for a new Head of Satellite Communications based in Adelaide. For those interested, head here.

Australian Space Research Program Round 2 Winners!

On the 14th of July, The Minister for Space (well, that's how I see him), Kim Carr, announced the Round 2 winners of the Australian Space Research Program.

Those winners are:

Stream A: Space Education and Development Grants

Project: Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program
Consortium: University of South Australia, International Space University
Grant: $475,658
Project Description: The project will develop an intensive five week summer program
conducted by the University of South Australia and the International Space
University. The program will provide inter-disciplinary knowledge and skills to
professionals, graduate researchers and senior undergraduate students, leading to
a graduate qualification or credit towards undergraduate programs. The program
will be available to Australian and international students over three summers and
will teach the key concepts and latest developments in:
- space science and technology
- space applications
- space business
- international and national space policy
- legal and regulatory issues
- space life sciences.



Stream B: Space Science and Innovation Projects

Project: GRACE Follow-on Mission
Consortium: The Australian National University, CSIRO, EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,Californian Institute of Technology, Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics(Albert Einstein Institute), National Measurement Institute
Grant: $4,673,001
Project description: The project will develop prototype hardware for a laser ranging system suitable to be flown on NASA’s GRACE Follow-on mission, scheduled for launch in 2016. The current GRACE mission (Gravity Recover and Climate Experiment) is an incredibly successful satellite mission that has provided new and unexpected insights into the natural process of the Earth, including for example, the ability to understand and predict the water balance across Australian catchments.
Along with the prototype hardware, the project will develop analysis capability in Australia to process raw observations from the mission. Importantly, it will develop new links between Australian institutions and international partners at the forefront of space-based instruments.

Project: Automated Laser Tracking of Space Debris
Consortium : EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd, Australian National University, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Near Space Systems Inc.
Grant: $4,040,355
Project description: Current space surveillance and tracking systems have relatively high levels of uncertainty in orbit predictions which can result in collisions between satellites and space debris. This project will demonstrate automated precision tracking of space debris to provide improved space situational awareness. The consortium will demonstrate fully remote and automated operation of a high performance laser tracking station, and provide an authoritative assessment of its ability to contribute to improved orbit determination of present and future surveillance of space systems. This project aims to develop an internationally competitive, commercially-viable, space surveillance industry built upon indigenous Australian technology.

Project: SAR Formation Flying
Consortium: University of New South Wales, BAE Systems Australia, Curtin University of Technology,
Delft University of Technology, General Dynamics, Astrium Limited
Grant: $4,664,583
Project description: This project will investigate synthetic aperture radar (SAR)satellites flying in small formations to significantly enhance real-time environmental monitoring. SAR satellites are unaffected by smoke, cloud, dust or volcanic ash which hamper optical earth observation). By simulating various formations of SAR satellites, this project will identify optimum orbits for monitoring over Australia and the region. The project will also develop the precision Global Navigation Satellite Systems relative positioning required to operate satellites in formation. Through this, the project will enable SAR to be used for a range of new applications such as timecritical disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, climate change science and national security.


My Comments:
Firstly, a big congratulations to all. I hear that the grants process is very competitive, and clearly the high calibre of projects selected reflects that.

The Southern Hemispher Summer Space Program is a great step forward for the Australian Space Scene. The ISU is seen as the leading Space educational institution worldwide, and to have an annual program in Australia for the next 3 years at least is a massive boost. This will lead to many Australians educated in Space, as well as many space experts coming to Australia each year. I hear that the Uni of SA also plans a graduate certificate in Space Studies on the back of this as well. And they are doing it on such a small grant? What a great investment by the government.

The GRACE follow on mission - clearly the plan here is to position the team to actually build the flight hardware for the GRACE follow on mission. Mark this one down as something with a big future, and potentially real flight hardware on a NASA spacecraft. Some great international linkages here too.

The Automated Laser Tracking of Space Debris project, essentially gives some seed money to the boys at EOS to do what the do best. This is a great example of a niche area of technology in space that Australia is good at. I'd suggest in 5 years, we'll be exporting this one around the world.

The SAR Formation Flying project - this one was a bit of a surprise to me, from the standpoint that this technology is right at the cutting edge of things. Now I think SAR satellites and technologies have strong future in Australia, particularly in the defence arena, but SAR formation flying seems like the step that comes after we can handle the basic SAR capabilities. Regardless, I'm sure the team will develop those capabilities within this project. Some good linkages here too - I see with Astrium involved, I'm sure the European companies will take more interest in what's happening in Australia.

Overall, another great step for Australian Space. Four high class projects selected, and for only a small amount of government money! I must say, I can't believe how quickly things are happening in Australia now, and I hope this pace can keep getting quicker and quicker!