Australian Centre for Space Governance

The Australian Centre for Space Governance is pleased to announce our latest policy paper titled 'Trust in Earth Observation Data: Dependencies, Risks and Opportunities for Australia.' With Australia’s reliance on Earth observation (EO) data from satellites contributing $3.2 billion to our GDP, we find ourselves entirely dependent on foreign providers. This raises important policy concerns: data quality management from commercial providers, geopolitical risks, and the challenge of ensuring independence of data used in national security and crucial sectors like urban planning, maritime surveillance, and disaster response. Co-authored by Dr. Cassandra Steer and Dr. Aleksandar Deejay, this policy paper is an essential read for policymakers, government representatives, and industry leaders engaged in critical infrastructure using Earth observation data. This paper provides an overview of the risks but also of the opportunities, with a particular focus on bringing about a whole-of-government approach. Australia has world-leading capabilities in EO ground infrastructure and data management, which can be maximised to ensure we are not just heavy users of EO data, but key contributors to the global EO infrastructure.  For more information, contact: contact@spacegovcentre.org    #spacegovernace #earthobservation #earthobservationdata #spacelaw ANU Institute for Space | InSpace School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) Australian Space Agency Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Department of Industry, Science and Resources 

Is space really as “cool” as pop culture makes it seem?   We’re wrapping up Season One of Space Matters: The Space Governance Podcast with a thought-provoking episode titled "Space Is Not Cool".   Join ACSG Chair Dr. Cassandra Steer and our Executive Director Dr. Aleksandar Deejay as they discuss how pop culture has shaped public perceptions of space and why the reality of space activity is far more essential to human life—and less glamorous—than Star Wars and Star Trek suggest.    From satellite technology enabling GPS, weather forecasts, and disaster response, to concerns about tech-driven solutionism, this episode reflects what it means for space to be “cool” and why redefining it as critical infrastructure is key to our future.   🎧 Listen to the full episode and explore our podcast series here: https://shorturl.at/02mxz   📄 Read policy papers from our "Securing Australia Through Space" series, featuring experts across government, industry, and academia, based on our recent workshop: https://shorturl.at/0hQdE We’ll be back next year with more expert commentary on 21st-century space governance issues. Special thanks to our producer Amelia Taylor for making this podcast series possible. #spacegovernance #spacelaw #spacepolicy #spacesecurity ANU Institute for Space | InSpace Australian Space Agency Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ANU National Security College School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) Crawford School of Public Policy Tech Policy Design Centre United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) ANU College of Asia & the Pacific ANU Defence Institute

We’re excited to share the seventh paper in our "Securing Australia Through Space" policy paper series: “The Case for ‘Space Mainstreaming’ to Advance National Priorities” by Australian Centre for Space Governance research fellow, Art Cotterell. This policy paper highlights how space technologies such as Earth observation (EO) can drive Australia’s economic, environmental, and national security goals. As outlined in the Intergenerational Report by the Commonwealth Treasury, major global forces—geopolitical risk, technological transformation, and climate change—require innovative responses where space capabilities play a critical role. Art introduces the concept of ‘Space Mainstreaming’, emphasising that space should be integrated across all levels of government policy—not confined to specialist agencies. This requires boosting space literacy and fostering interagency collaboration to maximise space’s potential for national benefit. Read the full paper to explore key recommendations, including establishing a Space Taskforce within central government and enhancing whole-of-government engagement through updated space policy documents such as the State of Space Report and the EO Roadmap. #spacegovernance #spacelaw #spacepolicy #spacesecurity ANU Institute for Space | InSpace Australian Space Agency Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Crawford School of Public Policy ANU National Security College ANU Defence Institute Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of Industry, Science and Resources Tech Policy Design Centre United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet)

We are pleased to announce the sixth paper in our "Securing Australia Through Space" series, focusing on climate information and the importance of Earth Observation (EO) data. The paper is authored by George Dyke and Stephen Ward. This paper explores a critical issue for Australia – our heavy reliance on foreign satellite data and infrastructure for over 170 critical government programs, despite investing almost nothing in the satellites themselves. This vulnerability puts Australia in a critical position, jeopardising our climate change understanding and the delivery of related government services. The paper demonstrates the importance of EO data, particularly in monitoring methane emissions, a key lever for climate mitigation. It provides recommendations, including assessing the risk of losing access to foreign data, implementing a whole-of-government strategy to optimise continuity and access to necessary technology and data, and supporting the Global Methane Pledge by investing in space-based monitoring capabilities. With climate change becoming a pressing issue, read the full paper to learn why it's crucial that Australia strengthens its space capabilities and secures access to critical data to inform our climate action and decision-making. #governance #spacepolicy #spacelaw #spacesecurity ANU Institute for Space | InSpace Australian Space Agency Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet ANU National Security College Crawford School of Public Policy School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) ANU College of Asia & the Pacific Tech Policy Design Centre United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Fenner School of Environment and Society

Australia’s role as a space middle power reflects the growing space ambitions of states across the Asia-Pacific region. Our Chair, Dr. Cassandra Steer, recently authored an essay examining the Australian Space Agency’s development and the challenges posed by the lack of a cohesive national space narrative and overarching policy framework. She argues for a coordinated space approach and discusses the idea of a uniquely Australian space identity. A few Australian Centre for Space Governance experts recently traveled to the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum organised by JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference and Exhibition. Several of our research papers focus on space activities within the context of the Asia-Pacific region. Read Dr. Steer’s essay below, along with valuable contributions from other leading space security experts in the region: https://lnkd.in/gxvEKvpZ #spacegovernance #spacelaw #spacesecurity #spacepolicy ANU Institute for Space | InSpace Australian Space Agency Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Defence Australia ANU College of Asia & the Pacific ANU National Security College Crawford School of Public Policy School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) ANU Defence Institute Tech Policy Design Centre United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

Last week, our Chair, Dr. Cassandra Steer, and Executive Director, Dr. Aleksandar Deejay, spoke at the Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference and Exhibition, discussing the central role of space technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. Aleks shared insights from his recent research in Tonga, where he engaged with government, industry, and civil society stakeholders to understand their communications and disaster response needs. His findings reflected the critical importance of access to space-based technologies for resilience and development. Cassandra highlighted how space-based capabilities can address shared challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, stating: "Australia has shared needs and priorities with its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region that can be solved with space-based capabilities. From connectivity for remote, rural and regional communities, to climate data, water management, protecting fisheries, bushfire response, and security issues such as maritime domain awareness, and military intelligence - our local, national and regional interests are highly dependent on satellite capabilities. There is an opportunity to advance space technology cooperation across the region in support of these needs, and to do so as part of a policy lever for increased stability in the region." #spacegovernance #spacelaw #spacepolicy #spacesecurity ANU Institute for Space | InSpace Australian Space Agency ANU College of Asia & the Pacific Crawford School of Public Policy ANU National Security College School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) ANU Defence Institute ANU Pacific Institute Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tech Policy Design Centre United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

We are excited to share the fifth paper in our "Securing Australia Through Space" policy paper series looking at space technology as critical infrastructure authored by Australian Centre for Space Governance experts Dr Stacey Henderson and Dr Joel Lisk. This paper considers Australia’s increasing reliance on space-based assets within critical infrastructure systems, emphasising the important role they play in national security, economic resilience, and everyday life. With space technology added to Australia’s critical infrastructure framework in 2022, the authors explore how this inclusion reflects the growing significance of space technology—and the important need to ensure it is protected against emerging threats. The paper contains key recommendations, including reviewing the security of critical infrastructure regime for all space technology assets, addressing overlaps with other sectors such as telecommunications and defence, and developing educational programs to strengthen industry resilience. Read the full paper to learn how Australia can safeguard its critical infrastructure amid growing reliance on space-based assets. #spacegovernance #spacelaw #spacesecurity #spacepolicy #spacesecurity ANU Institute for Space | InSpace Flinders University Australian Centre for Space Governance Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australian Department of Home Affairs Department of Industry, Science and Resources ANU National Security College School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) Crawford School of Public Policy Tech Policy Design Centre ANU Defence Institute United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

We were honoured to support CSIRO on this interactive workshop, and learned a lot from all of the participants from around the Asia-Pacific and around the world, and look forward to continuing to explore the opportunity of a regional alliance for Aquawatch. And we warmly congratulate Alex Held on his award for long term contribution to #APRSAF. Alex has given so much to regional cooperation and supported the establishment of organisations such as Sentinal Asia and SAFE.

🛰️❄️We're bringing more benefits from Space through our new #DigitalEarthAntarctica initiative, by supporting research, #environmentalsustainability and decision making, through open access, high quality #Antarctic #EarthObservation data 👉 https://bit.ly/48WB98e 📷 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) backscatter over the Publications Ice Shelf. Lighter colours indicate higher backscatter, darker colours represent areas of lower backscatter. Unlike optical imagery, SAR provides year-round data. It doesn't require sunlight which enables us to see changes throughout the entire year. SAR can also penetrate clouds, overcoming the significant cloud cover over Antarctica's coastal areas. SAR helps us to measure ice velocity, detect crevasses, assess surface roughness, monitor surface meltwater and lakes, map ice fronts, detect and monitor sea ice, and track icebergs. #AntarcticaDay

What would it take to co-create a regional Earth observation infrastructure for water quality, water security and water health? Building on Australia's AquaWatch program, how could this be grown as an Asia-Pacific system and alliance? It was a real delight to work together with the team at CSIRO and the Australian Centre for Space Governance on this side event at #APRSAF Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum here in Perth. After a series of fascinating presentations from the CSIRO AquaWatch team, we had an interactive session using various methods for brainstorming and discussion, to explore which water issues are important to different countries, and how such a regional system might be co-created and governed. The importance of working with local communities was highlighted, and the opportunities provided by including universities as stakeholders was emphasised. Participants identified what kinds of capabilities and people they could contribute, what they would need or benefit from, and it appeared that all the puzzle pieces that would be necessary are present when we collaborate together across the region. With expertise from Alex Held, Zandria Farrell, Amelia Fyfield, Flora K., Janet Anstee, Moritz Müller, Therese Rollan-Soriano, PhD and Christina Griffin, and the rich participation of many in the room from a range of countries. Our thanks to JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Australian Space Agency for the opportunity to hold this workshop as a side event, we look forward to creating next steps. Reach out to the CSIRO team if you want to know more!