Australia's Future In Space Exploration

It’s been 50 years since the moon landing in July 1969. 

Then, Australia played a pivotal role with the Parkes Radio Telescope in central west NSW, which broadcast to an expectant world vision of Neil Armstrong setting foot on the lunar surface and declaring his famous statement, "That's one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind”.

Today, Australia is developing its own space industry. The formation of the Australian Space Agency in 2018 was only the beginning. An Australian start-up company is now developing Australia’s first commercial spaceport, located near Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory, and has already secured a contract with NASA for southern hemisphere launches in 2020 - notably NASA’s first-ever use of a foreign non-government launch range.

What are the challenges of the logistics of such a venture? What regional geopolitical factors need to be considered? What are the benefits to Australia?

Carley Scott - CEO, Equatorial Launch Australia

Carley is known for building strong businesses in fast-changing environments. She is currently leading the development of Australia’s national spaceport, securing a world-first with NASA planning to launch from the site in 2020. Carley is an advisor to the Space Industry Association of Australia; to the CSIRO for advanced manufacturing; to the SmartSat CRC on start-up space companies, and sits on the Inner Melbourne Metropolitan Partnerships Committee to guide State development.

Previously, Carley was entrusted by Rio Tinto and the Northern Territory Government as the inaugural CEO to build a multi-million-dollar company that is now internationally referred to as best practice in economic development. Carley is listed in the AFR 100 Women of Influence for 2019. In 2018, she was nominated as Australian of the Year and in 2017, Carley won the Telstra Business Women’s Award