Overview 

State of Space reports have been published every year since 2014, providing comparative data and insights into the outcomes and progress of the Australian space sector over that period. The insights reported on cover investment and economic impacts, international and national cooperation and collaborations, and other key indicators against the Agency’s strategic pillars.

 

Resources

2021 in a nutshell

The Australian Space Agency entered into the third phase of the Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019-2020 signified by rapid strides that opened doors internationally and brought new opportunities to the Australian space sector. It also saw the launch of the Australian Space Discovery Centre, central to the inspirational objectives of the Civil Space Strategy.

Key outcomes 

The Agency:

  • moved to Phase 3 of its Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019– 2028
     
  • appointed Dr Megan Clark AC, its inaugural Head of the Agency, to a new role as Chair of its Advisory Board
     
  • welcomed Mr Enrico Palermo as the Agency’s new Head
     
  • joined 7 other nations in signing the Artemis Accords
     
  • supported the recovery of JAXA’s Hayabusa2 sample return capsule
     
  • signed the Australia-UK Space Bridge Framework Arrangement
     
  • began awarding grants under the Supply Chain and Demonstrator programs of its Moon to Mars initiative
     
  • granted its first launch facility licence
     
  • published the first Civil Space Priority Area roadmap, on Communications Technologies and Services
     
  • released its Economic snapshot of the Australian space sector: 2016– 17 to 2018– 19 report as a baseline to help measure future progress
     
  • opened its Australian Space Discovery Centre
     
  • Government departments and agencies are responding to Government investment and new opportunities by increasing their space-related activities.

Latest from the Australian space sector

Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo speaking to an Indian delegation during their visit to the Agency's headquarters in September 2014

Australian industry invited to support India’s G20 satellite

NEWS • Partnerships

23 February 2026

Funding is available for an Aussie payload to contribute to the mission that will tackle climate change.

Read more
Decorative

From space to the paddock: Australia’s new National Digital Twin unveiled

NEWS • National capability

18 February 2026

The Australasian Space Innovation Institute announce a $15 million investment that will boost productivity, sustainability and resilience across the nation’s agricultural sector.

Read more
two people posing for a photo in a lab

Aussie vision for next-gen space agriculture launched into orbit

NEWS • Space activities

14 February 2026

The project, led by the University of Southern Queensland and funded by the iLAuNCH Trailblazer, with early backing from Agency programs, will study plant growth in microgravity using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence.

Read more
Flavia Tata Nardini and entrepreneur Matt Pearson co-founders of Fleet Space

Ten Years of Fleet Space

NEWS • Industry showcase: Space spotlight

11 February 2026

CEO and Co-founder Flavia Tata Nardini talks about Fleet Space's rise from start-up to $800m company, revolutionising resource exploration on Earth and in space.

Read more
Defence Force School of Space and Cyber patch

New pathways into Australia’s space future

NEWS • National capability

9 February 2026

The Australian Defence Force announce expansion of space workforce and unveil a new specialist training centre in Canberra.

Read more
A full Moon is seen shining over NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher in the early hours of February 1, 2026. The rocket is currently at Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as teams are preparing for a wet dress rehearsal to practice timelines and procedures for the launch of Artemis II. NASA/Sam Lott

What's in the name?

NEWS • Space history and culture

6 February 2026

The Australian Space Agency's Senior Heritage and Outreach Officer Kerrie Dougherty OAM shares her insights behind Artemis II and NASA’s spacefaring naming traditions.

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.