Did you know satellites collect and relay data to track wildlife to help manage and protect their habitats?

Learn how space matters in our everyday lives – from keeping us healthy to inspiring us to go beyond the boundaries of what we think is possible.

Age group

Suitable for secondary school students

Space is part of everyday life

Space technologies are seamlessly integrated into the modern world.

Online shopping: Communication satellites and GPS make it easy to shop anywhere, anytime.

E-Banking: Transferring funds is instant and secure, with the help of GPS and communication satellites.

News and entertainment: Live broadcasts are available due to communication satellites.

Staying connected: Satellites provide phone and internet access in planes, boats and remote areas.

Navigation: Find your way, avoid traffic and drop a location pin –  all using GPS.

Weather: Weather satellites help improve accuracy of the forecasts.

Space inspires us to go beyond

Space inspires us all, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

New technology: Space takes our tech further, challenging us to solve problems in innovative ways.

Philosophy: Studying the universe gives us valuable perspective, prompting us to ponder our position in the cosmos.

International relations: Space activities promote cooperation across the globe.

Exploration: Australia has a vital role in future missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Education: Space makes us ‘think bigger’ and develops knowledge of science, tech, engineering and maths.

Arts & culture: Celestial and sci-fi themes have inspired film/TV, music, games, literature, fashion and art for decades.

Space tech keeps you safe

Space technologies help keep Australia in safe hands.

Disaster response: Earth observation satellites improve responses to bushfires, floods and droughts.

Planetary defence: We can calculate the trajectory of falling objects from space, such as asteroids, before they impact Earth.

Emergencies: GPS improves response times to critical emergencies.

Border protection: Communication, GPS and remote sensing satellites help protect Australia’s borders.

Defence: Defence uses a range of satellite technologies to protect Australia.

Intelligence: Intelligence gathering satellites are used to enhance Australia’s national security and protect our way of life.

Space is key to sustainability

Space technologies play a key role as we pursue a more sustainable Earth.

Climate change: Satellites monitor changing environmental conditions of our oceans, land and atmosphere.

Wildlife conservation: Satellites collect and relay sensor data to track wildlife, which helps manage and protect their habitats.

Smarter farming: Agricultural equipment can be remotely controlled with the help of satellites to maximise farm productivity and efficiency.

Clean energy: Space tech forecasts energy production and identifies the best locations for renewable energy.

Transport planning: Satellites help us map and maintain roads, which reduces fuel consumption.

Zero hunger: Satellites sense soil moisture and vegetation and land characteristics to help increase crop yield.

Space helps keep us healthy

Space environments and tech create opportunities to improve health on Earth.

Air quality: Satellites monitor pollution to inform how we protect the air we breathe.

Medical breakthroughs: Space research has spawned medical innovations including pacemakers and better artificial limbs.

Treatments & cures: We learn about our bodies by testing and managing the effects of the space environment on astronauts.

Remote healthcare: Satellites help connect people in remote communities to doctors and specialists.

Wearable devices: Tech developed to monitor astronaut wellbeing, like smart watches, can help promote better health.

Prevent pandemics: Satellites monitor migration, weather conditions and vaccine rollout to slow the spread of disease.

Latest from the Australian space sector

A collection of eight images from HEO's recent rendezvous & proximity operations mission using their Continuum-1 satellite.

NRFC backs HEO and passes $200 million mark in Aussie space investments

NEWS • National capability

22 September 2026

The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation helps HEO raise $37 million. This investment has also helped support capital raises across the Australian space sector to be worth over $600 million.

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Four young female Australian school students showing Mission Sprout kits. Credit Sara Webb

Space helps STEM grow: Mission sprouts to reach 1 in 7 Australian schools

NEWS • Inspiring Australia

21 September 2026

After receiving more than 1,400 Expressions of Interest from Australian schools since launching in July, Mission Sprout kits will now reach around 100,000 students nationwide.

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Head of Mission Phillip Green OAM opening the Team Australia Stand alongside ISRO Chairman Narayanan, and INSPACe Chairman Goenka.                                                               i.      From left to right of note: Dan Lloyd (SIAA), Dominic Shumilin (ASA), Nathan Davis (Austrade), Chairman Narayanan (ISRO), Luke Phillips (ASA), HoM Green, Chairman Goenka.

Australia and India's commercial space ties gain major momentum at BSX 2026

NEWS • Partnerships

15 September 2026

At the latest Bengaluru Space Expo, Australia’s partnership with India was elevated with new agreements signed – underscoring the growing depth of commercial collaboration between the two countries.

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The solar-powered Viking Orbiters carried the two landers to Mars. Credit NASA

Next stop, Phobos: A bold new chapter after 50 years of Mars exploration

NEWS • Space history and culture

10 September 2026

As Japan prepares to launch its mission to collect samples from the Martian Moon Phobos, explore through our interactive photo gallery how NASA’s historic Viking landings transformed Mars exploration.

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The winning Scotch Pad Tyres team poses with their prototype and MicroChariot at NASA's Johnson’s Rock Yard in Houston, US. Credit NASA/Luna Posadas Nava

From sand dunes to space: The Australian journey behind a NASA-winning Moon wheel

NEWS • People in the sector

9 September 2026

Inspired by a motorbike journey through one of Australia's most remote landscapes, engineer and full-time carer Daniel Bloomfield developed an unconventional solution that caught NASA's attention at their recent competition.

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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 September 2026

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

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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.