A space industry strategy has been launched by the Western Australian government to drive greater economic diversity through space research commercialisation and technology transfer.
Released on Thursday, the six-year strategy argues that technology transfer from the space sector to the resources sector will help deliver the innovative technologies needed to meet the state’s net zero commitments.
Further advancing world-leading remote operations capability in the state’s mining sector also presents an opportunity to support space missions.
Commercialisation and technology transfer are one of the six strategic priorities under the strategy, although an accompanying action plan is still in the works.
The government has released the strategy to help deliver on its target under the Future State: Accelerating Diversify WA framework for boosting the development of new technologies alongside mining and manufacturing.
Innovation and Digital Economy minister Stephen Dawson said that “growing the local space sector will also have enormous benefit for WA with advances in technology, data and services — leading to more innovations to improve environmental and community outcomes, boost productivity, and enhance our everyday lives”.
No new investment has been announced alongside the strategy, which place a focus on goals like increasing space investment in the state and utilising local space services, data and technology.
The strategy also highlights the presence of significant space infrastructure in the state, such as a segment of the Square Kilometre Array — the world’s largest radio telescope – and ground stations that supporting five international space agencies.
The state government says there are already 130 organisations operating space and space-related services in the state, with more than $1 billion invested in the local sector over the last six years.
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