The Australian Sovereign Capability Alliance (ASCA) is calling for overseas-owned Defence and Space Industry primes, the university sector, and the Federal Government to partner before the federal budget to fund the $100m needed to send Australian astronaut Dr Katherine Bennell-Peg into space.
“Overseas-owned industry primes who have placed the word ‘Australia’ after their local company names have an opportunity to demonstrate to Australian taxpayers that their commitment to sovereign capability is genuine.” ASCA Director and Australia’s first dedicated Space Industries Minister, Martin Hamilton-Smith, said.
“Genuinely Australian-owned space company Nova Systems has stumped up the first $1m. Much larger companies like BAE Systems Australia, Raytheon Australia , Northrop Grumman Australia and L3 Australia, Boeing Australia and other overseas owned primes are big enough to put in $10m each towards the $100m target making it easier for the Albanese Government to fill the gap”.
“These foreign-owned companies claim to be Australian when bidding for billions of dollars of Defence and Space contracts from Canberra. This is a chance for them to prove their commitment to Australian Sovereign Capability”.
“The newly created Adelaide University should be contributing if it is serious about leveraging off Canberra’s decision to base the nation’s space agency in Adelaide”.
“Adelaide University should establish itself as a world-leading space science research university by backing our Australian astronaut into space. Fail and another Australian University may take its place, and in time, the nation’s Space Agency may be lost to wherever the R&D investment can be found.”
Former Governor General Peter Cosgove wrote to the Prime Minister on 18th March stating, “…Strategic investments that demonstrate intent, confidence, and continuity are essential in building sovereign capability…. Supporting Dr Bennell -Pegg’s participation would send a signal that Australia is prepared to invest seriously in becoming a capable, credible and enduring space nation”.
Supporting ASCA’s call Nova Systems principal Jim Whalley said. “The economic benefit to Australia and local Industry far outweighs the cost of getting Katherine a mission. The inspiration it will provide to young people to pursue careers in STEM is an investment in the future”.
Chair of the Smart Sat CRC Industry Advisory Board and Chair of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Pete Nikoloff said“Sending Katherine Bennell-Pegg to space would be a defining national moment for Australia. It would be a hat trick for our nascent space ecosystem, inspiring a new generation and strengthening our sovereign space industry and research capabilities. It would demonstrate that Australia is serious about building a long-term future in space. The Australian Government should commit to this mission.”
“In its first term the Albanese Government saved $1.2m by axing the National Space Mission for Eart Observation (NSMEO) to build and launch four Australian earth observation satellites. Here is an opportunity to reinvest some of that saving.” Mt Hamilton-Smith said.
“Industry Primes, the University sector and Federal Government need to show some leadership. Are we serious about science, space and engineering, or are we pretenders?” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
The Hon Martin Hamilton-Smith was appointed the county’s first dedicated Minister for Space Industries (South Australian Government) on 16th October 2016 and hosted the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide in September 2017. Martin is Director of the Australian Sovereign Capability Alliance. https://www.australiansovereigncapability.com.au/
Mobile 0408854707 Email: aussovcapa@martinhamilton-smith.com.au
