UK and Australian space agencies propose to develop Space Bridge

The UK and Australian space agencies have extended their partnership with the intention to develop the world’s first ‘Space Bridge’.

This agreement builds on the memorandum of understanding signed by the two national space agencies last October. It will serve as a base for discussions, especially space-related opportunities, between governments, regulators and industry of the two nations.

As agreed, the agencies will work with the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) and Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade), including industry leaders such as the UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult and the new Australian SmartSat Collaborative Research Centre.

UK Space Agency CEO Graham Turnock said: “The UK’s space heritage has strong links to Australia, with the first British rockets lifting off from Woomera in the 1950s, and we are committed to strengthening our friendship and partnership.

“A Space Bridge agreement will bring significant benefits to both our thriving space industries, facilitating new trade and investment opportunities and the exchange of knowledge and ideas.”

The agencies, along with DIT and Austrade, will now focus on developing the Space Bridge Framework Agreement.

Australian Space Agency head Megan Clark said: “This latest agreement builds on a number of recent international agreements that are positioning Australia to play an increasingly important role in the global space industry.”

Last year, the two space agencies launched the Surrey Satellite NovaSAR, which is designed to use radar to view the Earth and share 10% of its data with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).