Nice to see the government doing something constructive and planning for the future. Our own space agency would be inspirational to young Australians and might offer some exciting employment opportunities to Uni graduates.
This could be great news - or it could be a complete and utter national embarrassment, if they apply the same "faster, cheaper, more affordable" philosophy that has crippled the NBN before deployment is even half-complete.
(See attached concept for the new space launcher.)
if they apply the same "faster, cheaper, more affordable" philosophy that has crippled the NBN before deployment is even half-complete.
Almost certainly how this government will proceed with this...they are certainly not innovators nor have any vision, that's for sure, many of them deny the science of climate change and believe in an imaginary friend for adults, soooo I don't see this going very far... (unfortunately)...unless it is powered by coal of course
The Liberal Party would be doing a lot better if the Abbott faction wasn't undermining Turnbull at every turn. I tried searching for Abbott's position on space policy but nothing came up; it does seem that all sides of politics regard Abbott as a wrecker. I'm curious to see if he opposes an Australian space agency simply to weaken Turnbull.
Hmmm...what a shame a thread on something we have all been screaming for, investment in a foreseeable future, is going to get locked because of the politics TOS??
How do we celebrate the fact there is a committent and worry about the implementation later? It’s a start, right? such negativity..sigh..
Sooo...if the government presented you with a significant fully funded pot of cash to invest in our future in the space industry, what projects would you implement that would generate job opportunities etc and allow us to contribute alongside every other country who already has an Agency?
Regardless of funding or who's agenda it's great to see something using grey matter for the kids rather than digging or pumping sh|t and selling it overseas. Hope it goes ahead. A refreshing change.
How do we celebrate the fact there is a committent and worry about the implementation later? It’s a start, right? such negativity..sigh..
You are quite right David, pardon my pessimism but there is pretty good reason for it...but of course I do hope this comes to something worthwhile and successful
Per chance I bumped into the Chair of the "Space Industry Innovation Council" while attending the PM's Science Prize awards night at Parliament House a few years ago.
It was like the Hospital with no patients from "Yes Minister".
These possums have been busy drafting legislation for Australia's Space industry for a while...I believe their last budget was some $80 million of taxpayer funded dollars.
As for their launch schedule...well...the ones they are supposed to oversee...there were around half a dozen or so in the decade they have been about. Most were balloons I believe. Poor buggers must have been working 24/7 with that sort of high pressure and cutting edge launch schedule.
We can only hope the idea gathers a head of steam, pushed along by foreign space agencies and local scientists. There will be plenty of photo opportunities and status to be gained by whichever politicians get involved.
" Mr Bolden said he believed governments had a critical role to play in "blazing the trail" and laying out the path for private industry and entrepreneurs to follow."
RocketLab is lofting 4 small satellites on it's second test launch.
I'm afraid I don't see why this should be rubbing salt into anything. Good on the Kiwis for having the initiative to establish their own industry and to get into the launch business. More power to their slide rules. I have no doubt they would be equally pleased to see Australia taking a positive and enlarged role in the field.
Its just a boondoggle to pour federal $$$ into propping up the techies and contractors that make up DSTO. In the process propping up the south australian economy and hopefully buying a few votes.
Note there is no long term plan, no clear objective defined.
Reminds me of:
a) Promoting the nullarbor desert as suitable for sheep farming to soldier settlers after world war 1. Many died in the drought and out of sheer poverty in the great depression that followed.
b) a car industry in the middle of nowhere, where all the parts had to be shipped across the continent to the car plants, then the results shipped back, for the sake of building employment where it should never have been in the first place. Thankfully the accountants in the companies concerned finally prevailed and put a stop to the insanity despite numerous government boondoggles to prop it up.
c) a submarine base, built on the wrong side of the continent so that every boat has to spend months sailing halfway round the continent.
Nice to see the government doing something constructive and planning for the future. Our own space agency would be inspirational to young Australians and might offer some exciting employment opportunities to Uni graduates.
The Liberal Party would be doing a lot better if the Abbott faction wasn't undermining Turnbull at every turn. I tried searching for Abbott's position on space policy but nothing came up; it does seem that all sides of politics regard Abbott as a wrecker. I'm curious to see if he opposes an Australian space agency simply to weaken Turnbull.
Both of them are gutless, dogma driven, self-indulgent twerps. I could add a couple of dozen expletives and other adjectives, but hey... you already are saying them in your head
Bit early to give up hope yet guys. The govt has raised expectations that there will be a moderately sized but well rounded space agency, even though the details are yet to be formulated. Let's give them a chance to do what they said they will do.
(unfortunately)...unless it is powered by coal of course 
...just ask Gary Kopf 
