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Have your say on Territory space race

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Nicole Manison, Minister for Northern Australia and Trade, Media Release, 24 July 2021

Territorians, businesses and industry are now invited to give feedback on the draft Territory Space Strategy for 2021-25.

The Territory Government is developing a new space strategy to support the future growth of the space industry, attract investment and identify potential projects.

Examples of projects that have already demonstrated the Territory’s potential in the space sector include the Arnhem Space Centre, support for the Australian government grant of $1.25 million to develop 3D printed rocket engines or the construction of two ground stations in Alice Springs.

The two ground stations in Alice Springs are also hosted by Australia’s first and only Aboriginal-owned-and-operated ground station service provider, demonstrating the potential of the space industry to significantly contribute to our regional development.

The Arnhem Space Centre is currently under construction and will be ready for NASA’s sounding rocket campaign from the facility in mid 2022.

The draft Strategy will capitalise on our strategic advantages to attract investment and create local jobs, while establishing a vision for the Territory to be recognised as:

  • The home of high altitude pseudo-satellites in the Indo-Pacific region;
  • Australia’s premier space launch location; and
  • A leading regional centre for ground station facilities.

While the Territory’s home-grown space industry is still young, the jurisdictions natural advantages have propelled domestic and international space companies to establish infrastructure and operation in the NT.

This strategy aligns with Territory Economic Reconstruction recommendations to develop the Territory’s space industry, maximise foreign and domestic space investment, create jobs and diversify the economy.

The geographic location of the Northern Territory, including its wide open expanses and proximity to the equator, makes it a massively appealing destination for space companies from around the world, and this is only the beginning.

To have your say, visit haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/territory-space-strategy

The survey closes on Tuesday, 19 August 2021.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Northern Australia and Trade, Nicole Manison

”We are still in the space race, because it means more investment and more jobs for Territorians.” 

“As the Arnhem Space Centre shows, the Territory is perfectly positioned to service the space industry and the jobs it will bring.

“We also know that investing in the local space industry will improve local mobile connectivity, remote health, bushfire tracking, emergency management and agriculture.

“We have been working hard to keep Territorians safe form coronavirus, but we are also working on our economic rebound – with new industries, new investments and new jobs.”

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