William Atkins
Wednesday, 12 November 2008 22:02
Science -
Space
Page 3 of 4
The Report stated that some people thought that Australia should establish an
“Australian NASA.”
Personally, I think this would be a mistake. Briefly, here's why.
The Report also states,
“Australia's involvement in space industry should be focused on niche areas. Australian scientists can expand their already important role in space tracking and various forms of astronomy and Australian firms can make more commercial use of data from satellites.”
Instead of making another NASA in the southern hemisphere, I would recommend that Australia find "niche" areas within the global space community that are being ignored by the world’s other national space programs.
Why duplicate another country's space program? For one thing, NASA has fifty years of experience in aerospace and aeonautic activities. It is involved in a myriad of activities in the United States.
Instead, start small but identify key areas to pursue.
PLus, ask these other
national space programs (U.S., Russia, Canadia, U.K., ESA, India, China, and the others) what projects are needed but are currently being ignored or underutilized.
Find space projects that are unique to Australia that can be used by the world. Become a member of international space projects.
Page four concludes this discussion on the future direction that Australia may take in space.
