New chapter in Australia-Europe space cooperation.
Australia is strengthening its global space partnerships through new treaty-level discussions with the European Space Agency (ESA), building on decades of collaboration and continued investment in local capability.
Representatives from the Australian Space Agency recently travelled to ESA’s Headquarters in Paris to meet with their counterparts, reaffirming of one of Australia’s longest-standing international space relationships and a shared commitment to grow our bilateral cooperations.
The Agency-led discussions advanced work on a treaty-level Cooperative Agreement with ESA, following a mandate to negotiate announced last year by the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Tim Ayres and the Director General of ESA, Dr Josef Aschbacher.
While negotiations are ongoing, the Agreement would establish a formal framework for enhanced cooperation between Australia and Europe, creating new opportunities for industry, research, and collaborative activities. It would also deepen shared interests in scientific and technical activities.
Strengthening global space ties
The Agency-led discussions were part of a whole-of-Australian Government effort to build on a long and productive relationship between Australia and Europe in space.
The Agreement would build on the strong interconnection with Europe recently reinforced through announcements of:
• Free Trade Agreement
• Security and Defence Partnership
• Negotiations on Australia’s planned association to Horizon Europe – the world’s largest research program.
The Agency also maintains close relations with several ESA members including France, Germany, Italy, the UK, as well as Canada – an ESA cooperating state.
A major recent Australian-European space milestone came with the commencement of nominal operations for New Norcia 3, ESA’s newest deep space antenna in Western Australia.
Co-funded by the Australian Space Agency, the facility strengthens Europe’s ability to communicate with exploration, science and space safety missions across the Solar System.
As ties with Europe continue to deepen, Australia is reinforcing its role as a connected and capable partner in the global space economy.
New Norcia 3 in operation
While Australia’s east coast has been helping the Artemis era of lunar exploration, the west is powering up a new chapter in deep space science for Europe.
Main image caption: Representatives from the Australian Space Agency with their counterparts at European Space Agency's Headquarters in Paris.
