Standards Australia launched into global space industry

Standards Australia has commenced a project to participate in international space standardisation to support Australia’s focus on growing its own space capability. The Australian Government has invested billions of dollars towards space capability across several space programs, and released the Australian Civil Space Strategy, which details a dedicated $41 million across four years to establish the Adelaide-based Australian Space Agency. Another $260 million is dedicated to supporting the development of satellite capabilities through Geoscience Australia, while an additional $6 million will go to a Space Discover Centre.

Standards Australia has aligned with the government’s strategy through participating in international committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, and its subcommittee, ISO/SC 14, Space systems and operations. This subcommittee is responsible for over 150 published standards, with almost 50 in development. The standards cover broad fields, from space environment, ground infrastructure, communications, spacecraft components and more. Standards Australia is also in the process of forming a mirror committee to ISO/TC 20/SC 14. The mirror committee will enable Australian representation at an international level.

Roland Terry-Lloyd, Head of Standards Development at Standards Australia, said Australian participation on the international standardisation level will allow Standards Australia to provide support in growing a successful space industry. “Standards support all aspects of growing space capabilities, from manufacturing guidance to raising awareness of the importance of industry,” Terry-Lloyd said.

In 2020, the Australian Department of Defence released its 2020 Fore Structure plan which outlined a new strategy for defence capabilities and the investments needed to deliver it. Over the next decade, the strategy will dedicate $7 billion to develop space capabilities, including investment in satellite communications, improved tracking and identification of space objects. The Australian Space Agency has signed memorandums of understanding with several countries, including the United Kingdom, to identify areas of cooperation in space. It has also signed an MoU with several countries, including Japan, to support growing Australia’s space capability.

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