The Australian Space Agency’s Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space Roadmap outlined a 10-year plan to support growth of robotics and automation capabilities on Earth and in space. This plan was published before May 2022 under the previous Australian Government.

Overview

Australia’s remote operation capabilities have huge potential for the future of space exploration. The Robotics Roadmap described a pathway to:

  • leverage Australia’s expertise in robotics technology and systems
  • provide critical solutions into the global marketplace that enable and support the sustained build-up of space assets and infrastructure
  • enable international collaboration with industry. 

Publication content 

The following 6 focus segments prioritised in the Robotics Roadmap, were considered the areas of greatest opportunity for the Australian space sector:

  1. Remote operations
  2. Interoperability
  3. Analogue facilities and services
  4. Robotic platforms
  5. In-Situ Resource utilisation
  6. Foundation services.

Foundation Services 

Foundation Services are operational services that support exploration missions to build towards (and eventually maintain) a sustained off-Earth presence. They are services for which demand is recurrent, continuous or enduring. The scope of Foundation Services covers monitoring and inspection, planning and logistics, civil construction, materials transport and cargo handling, remote maintenance, salvage, and component manufacture and assembly. They are distinctive but complementary to mission critical systems such as power, communications and life support.

Foundation Services fulfil a set of core supportive processes and systems that are necessary in planning, establishing and sustaining planetary activity. These services provide core functions that are required during every stage of off-Earth infrastructure build-up. Australia can use its capabilities to realise a long-term flagship role in Foundation Services.

Latest from the Australian space sector

A student holding a Mission Sprouts kit

Mission Sprout kits to inspire classrooms across Australia

NEWS • Inspiring Australia

26 July 2026

Expressions of Interest opened for Mission Sprout kits, with the aim to get the space seeds experiment into 1 in 10 Australian schools.

Read more
Australia from space

New statement charts Australia's future in space

NEWS • Australian Space Agency

21 July 2026

The Australian Government is backing Australia’s space industry to capture the growing opportunities of the global space economy while strengthening the capabilities that underpin our economic resilience and national security.

Read more
Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg with space enthusiasts at Space Day Out 2026

To the Stars: Space has its Day Out

NEWS • Inspiring Australia

20 July 2026

The Australian Space Agency's inaugural special event drew hundreds, inspiring young Australians to explore STEM, space careers and the future of Australia's growing space sector.

Read more
Space tracking equipment in Australia

Australian tracking terminal commissioned for India’s historic human spaceflight program

NEWS • Partnerships

9 July 2026

Australia will play a critical role in supporting all four of the program’s planned missions through essential space tracking capability from its Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Read more
A free-flying robot through the ISS module. Credit: JAXA

Registrations now open for 2026 KIBO Robot Programming Challenge

NEWS • Inspiring Australia

7 July 2026

This educational program is supported by the Australian Space Agency and will be delivered by One Giant Leap Australia. In this feature, the winning team from last year's competition reflect on the STEM confidence they gained.

Read more
NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman peers out of one of the Orion spacecraft's main cabin windows, looking back at Earth, as the crew travels towards the Moon.  Image Credit: NASA

The latest from Aussie space

NEWS • National capability

3 July 2026

Here’s a recap of some of the key developments and capabilities from June that are shaping Australia’s space industry.

Read more

Our department recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.

We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.