Cameron Ritchie’s Post

Australia-US Technology Safeguard Agreement Enters Into Force Today (24 July 2024) at the 17th Australian Space Forum in Adelaide, Australia's Minister for Space, Ed Husic, announced that the Australian-US Technology Safeguard Agreement (TSA), signed last October in Washington, had entered into force. The TSA allows movement of controlled US space technologies to Australia, permitting commercial US space companies to launch to space and return from space in Australia. Several US companies are already engaging with Australia to do just that! And, with fully commercial, multi-user launch and return facilities coming online--including Equatorial Launch Australia's Arnhem orbital launch facility in Australia's far north (12 degrees South Latitude!) and Southern Launch's Whalers Way Orbital and Koonibba Sub-Orbital and Return facilities in South Australia--Australia is poised to become the 'gateway to and from space' for the world's Twenty-First Century space economy. Congratulations to the Australian Government, Minister Husic and the Australian Space Agency on this important achievement! It has been years in the making. SpaceX Blue Origin Rocket Lab Firefly Aerospace ABL Space Systems Astra Space Stoke Space Varda Space Industries Sierra Space Apex - Spacecraft Manufacturing Ed Husic MP Richard Marles Anthony Albanese Nicholas Hogan Rebecca Shrimpton Tony Davis Anthony Weymouth Enrico Palermo Christopher De Luis Paul Burfield Chris Ketter Geoff Mason Jessica RichmanSteve Butow Nathan P. Diller Ric Mommer Rich Julien Michael Moreno James Cross Michael A. Brown Nate Gapp Klay Bendle Omar Pimentel

The government have announced the launch of the National Space Operations Centre with the aim of removing barriers and aiding growth and innovation across the sector. There are 7 over arching guidelines: 1. Agility – greater, more responsive coordination across government departments and regulators. 2. Innovation - a dynamic framework that supports novel and emerging missions and technologies. 3. Growth - a progressive regulatory framework that encourages investment. 4. International Partnerships - a multilateral alliance of spacefaring nations with aligned frameworks and international best practice. 5. Safety and Sustainability - incentivising sustainable space activities, protecting the space environment and its celestial bodies. 6. Accessibility - a coherent suite of primary and secondary space legislations and clear published guidance. 7. National Interest - a civil and commercial space regulatory framework that supports UK national security. Exciting times for an industry which has limitless potential. https://lnkd.in/eqJwte_W

If you are coming to SpaceCom and Space Mobility Conference & Expo - now is the time to get your registration. EARLY BIRD RATES END TONIGHT!!! REGISTER at 👉 SpaceMobility.org for the third annual, field-command level event supporting the United States Space Force and Space Systems Command Assured Access to Space (AATS) mission. Space Mobility mobilizes commercial industry executives and high-ranking officials from #defense and #government agencies to assure access and superiority in the highly contested space domain. SESSIONS ANNOUNCED: - Threat Briefing This session will provide critical insights into current and emerging threats in the space domain, emphasizing the urgent need for innovation and collaboration to maintain U.S. superiority. - State of AATS This keynote will highlight the significant progress made over the past year in securing reliable space access through AATS's three core missions: delivering resilient launch capabilities, enabling responsive space operations, and advancing space mobility innovation. - Expanding Launch Capacity for Assured Access To Space The U.S. faces an urgent challenge: limited launch capacity. With existing launch sites strained by growing demand and threats from weather, natural disasters, and potential attacks, the U.S. Space Force must decide whether to continue focusing on Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg or invest in new spaceports. - USSF Perspectives – U.S. Space Force Budget As USSF leadership seeks to expand its budget, they will set the stage and reiterate the crucial role of commercial partnerships and venture capital investment for future space operations. - Investing in the Future of Space Technology This panel will dive into the key factors that influence investment decisions in space technology, including government procurement strategies, policy shifts, and market readiness. - USSF Perspectives – U.S. Space Force Policy Objectives This session will highlight urgent regulatory and strategic issues that must be addressed to ensure reliable space mobility and maintain U.S. national security. - Navigating Policy Challenges – Collaborative Solutions for U.S. Leadership in Space Experts from commercial, academic, and international sectors will explore pressing issues like launch licensure, proximity operations, spectrum management, and space traffic regulations—highlighting how outdated policies stall progress and the need for modernization to ensure operational resilience. - Opportunities for Commercial Companies to Work with AATS A senior AATS leader will outline key engagement pathways for companies, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs, SpaceWERX initiatives, and direct contracting opportunities. - What If? The Future of Space Logistics What if commercial capabilities—like orbital refueling stations, in-space manufacturing, and autonomous spacecraft—were fully integrated into defense operations? USSF Guardians receive free access to this event!

Australia and the UK are celebrating stronger connections and collaborations in space — three years after their historic Space Bridge arrangement commenced! 🚀🌏 The arrangement was signed in 2021 between Australian Space Agency, UK Space Agency, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Department for Business and Trade. Designed to support companies with space innovations that improve the world, the UK-Australia Space Bridge is also unlocking export and investment opportunities. 🌠 Across Australia and the UK, a number of ‘Soft Landing Zones’ are available to provide access to hubs and clusters for individuals and companies to work in #Australia or the #UK. If you would like to access this directly please contact spacebridgeuk-au@austrade.gov.au . Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo says the partnership supports space sector growth in applications that positively impact our planet. 🌐🛰️ “Space Bridge activities are demonstrating how working together in space drives outcomes across our economies.” Mr Palermo said. “In three years, this partnership has driven investment and established new connections that are helping our respective space sectors develop applications that benefit life on Earth.” Read more about Space Bridge opportunities: https://ow.ly/BBY650QH09l Photo credit: Andy Steven

🇱🇺 Why did we land Mission Space in Luxembourg? Before I delve into the details, let's address a major challenge: the EU space scene lacks a unified strategy. It makes collaborating and sharing information within the industry really tricky. A central hub for collaboration could be the most reasonable solution, and this is where Luxembourg comes into the picture. Back in 2018, Luxembourg launched with a mission to unite the tech industry and drive innovation. Such a bold move led to a stellar infrastructure of high-tech computers, data centers, and more. All the tools to push the space industry forward and boost Luxembourg's economy — that’s a win-win. More than 50 companies and research labs thrive in Luxembourg’s space industry, contributing 2% to the country’s GDP. The country is also a home to the European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC), and Luxembourg space companies develop high-tech components for satellites, advanced materials, and equipment for space travel. And I believe we made the right choice: now Mission Space has a strategic alliance with the University of Luxembourg for R&D, and we're able to build our infrastructure on a local one-of-a-kind supercomputer by LuxProvide. To answer the question, why Luxembourg? It's a great place to be, with great ambitious people who have great ideas. And it is also a thriving space sector that actively fosters new companies and research in space weather — exactly what we do at Mission Space. #spaceweather #luxembourg #spacetech

Whatever the #mission-orientation of the enduring #entrepreneurialstate in the next POTUS administration, whether across agencies or in public-private collaboration, we must... [quotes below from the linked policy brief] "have enough #skilled labor and technical acumen in our #workforce in order to study, engineer and produce the highly-capable platforms and components we need in space to support our national security needs." "have a grand national goal that brings #clarity and #unity, and that #inspires new generations of technology leaders while keeping with our culture of boundary-breaking and achievement." "recognize... the #future of space and our civil, commercial and defense interests in space requires continued and #educated attention." #science and #technology #training and #education #leader development

A New Home 🚀 In a galaxy, not so far away (Oxfordshire to be exact), the UK Space Agency has embarked on an epic journey to Harwell Campus, marking the dawn of a new era for the UK's space odyssey. This strategic relocation propels Harwell into the spotlight as the central hub in Europe’s most vibrant space cluster. Joining over 100 space organisations, including commercial giants and public sector partners, the UK Space Agency is set to spark unparalleled synergies, drive innovation, and foster partnerships that will shape the future of space exploration and technology. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/eUfJX9u6 Rob Beatson Bidwells #spacecluster #spacesector #ukspace #spacenews #innovation #innovationhub #ukspacesector

At the recent International Telecommunication Union, Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), emphasized crucial actions for securing the long-term sustainability of space. 🌏 The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space has developed binding guidelines that, when integrated into national regulations, form a solid framework for sustainable space exploration. Key focus areas for United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA): 💫 Active Debris Removal 💫 On-Orbit Servicing 💫 Data Collection 💫 Space Traffic Coordination https://lnkd.in/eDPd-CnJ #UnitedNations #SpaceImpulse #OuterSpace

🚀 The South Coast is the future home of the UK’s largest space cluster, and the opportunities are massive! Tobias Marchant from Space South Central and I had an epic conversation recently about where we’re heading and how we need to step up to meet the space industry’s demands. We talked about the challenge businesses face in finding the right talent and how partnerships with universities—through apprenticeships and internships—are crucial. But this is just the beginning. Our industry has evolved dramatically since the pandemic, and people care deeply about where they work now. The problem? Many landlords are stuck in the past, building traditional office spaces that just don’t fit today’s needs. The future is not in suspended ceilings and blue carpets! At the South Coast CPS Conference on 14 November, we’ll dive into what needs to change. We’re bringing together developers, investors, and the space community to identify what’s really needed—from ground stations and satellite infrastructure to clean rooms and dedicated server facilities. And it’s not just about office space; it’s about creating a future-proof environment for the space industry to thrive. University of Surrey’s spacecraft program offers open access to test facilities for smaller companies—exactly the kind of collaboration we need to inspire even non-space businesses to get involved. We’re also talking about bigger infrastructure, like satellite ground stations. Could we build one right here on the South Coast? Absolutely! We’ve identified the need and potential, and now we need to act on it. The margins in space are fine, but the potential for explosive growth is real, especially when you think about the dual role space plays in sectors like climate science and sustainability. Just last year, we saw funding from the Space Cluster Infrastructure Fund (SCIF), and more projects like these are crucial for expanding their capabilities. Solent Freeport locations like Marchwood, Navigator Quarter and Dunsbury and offer exciting opportunities. Imagine having the ability to bypass import duty and trade more easily with Europe—an essential factor for growing our space infrastructure. It would be great to bring European Space Agency - ESA funding into play, and if we do this right, we could build testing capabilities that will draw clients not only from the UK but from across Europe. Join us at the South Coast CPS Conference on 14 November and be part of the exciting conversation and support the growth of the space industry on the South Coast. Are you in the space industry, we would love for you to attend and share your insight. https://lnkd.in/exBu_kNs #SpaceIndustry #SouthCoastCPS #Innovation #UKSpaceCluster #SpaceInfrastructure #FreeportOpportunities #FutureGrowth University of Portsmouth University of Southampton UCL

Last month, the UK Government released a Space Industrial Plan, setting out key actions it will take to achieve the goals set out in its 2021 National Space Strategy. The plan highlights that the UK Government will be playing a more direct role in facilitating and supporting the development of the UK commercial space sector, and taking a more strategic approach to development of UK national space capabilities. See our update which summarises some of the main actions proposed. https://lnkd.in/eks7Gphy