Australian Space Discovery Centre launched in Adelaide - Australia and India expand cooperation in space
Raj Suri | Sydney, 1 April 2021
Yesterday, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, opened the Australian Space Discovery Centre in the innovation precinct of Lot Fourteen, in Adelaide, South Australia. The Australian Space Discovery Centre will showcase hands-on interactive space exhibits and provide practical advice for those wanting to pursue a career in the growing space sector.
There is also a state-of-the-art Mission Control Centre on site, which will simultaneously inspire people who visit, while also making it easier for local start-ups to control satellites and space missions.
Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said the Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the number one place to visit for those interested in Australia’s space industry. Young Australians will be inspired to dream big and consider a space career, with the launch of the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide in South Australia.
“The Australian Space Discovery Centre will be the go-to destination for curious minds to learn about the wonders of space and to see themselves as part of Australia’s space story,” the Prime Minister Morrison said.
“But the Discovery Centre isn’t just for the young and the young at heart – the cutting-edge Mission Control Centre will enable our local space businesses to track and control their very own missions and satellites, providing critical new capability here on home soil.”
The state of South Australia, Premier (Chief Minister), Steven Marshall said the Australian Space Discovery Centre and Mission Control cemented South Australia as the space capital of Australia.
The Australian Space Discovery Centre will open to the general public in May following rigorous testing with community groups and other organisations throughout April.
Australia and Indian expand cooperation in Space
In the recent months we were extremely excited to expand our relationship with India …
Enrico Palermo – Head of the Australian Space Agency ( in Adelaide, march 2021)
In February 2021, the amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was signed on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and India announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020.
At the time, Australian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the new agreement strengthens existing ties between Australia and India and allows the two countries to work closer than ever in space for the benefit of both nations.
“Space is an exciting frontier and we can achieve great things by working together, including enhancing space science, technology and research collaboration – all while boosting our economies and creating jobs,” Minister Andrews said.
“As one of Australia’s National Manufacturing Priorities, space is a key focus of our Government and we are delighted to work closely with India.
“Discussions are already underway for Australia to host vital tracking infrastructure as part of India’s Gaganyaan missions, which will place India as the fourth country to put humans in space.”
Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo said the signing symbolises the importance of the strong collaborative partnership between the Agency and ISRO, which will look to identify new areas of cooperation in space technology, applications, education and outreach.
“ISRO’s experience in spacecraft and systems engineering and ground stations to support space activities makes them a strategic partner for Australia as we grow our own national space capability and open doors for Australian business internationally,” Mr Palermo said.
This signals a valuable opportunity for Australia to play a role in India’s Gaganyaan missions, further engage industry to grow Australian sector, and expand cooperation with India in space, science and research activities in the years to come.
Since 1 July 2018, the Morrison Government has invested over $700 million into the Australian civil space sector as part of its goal to triple the sector’s size to $12 billion and create up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.
