Official opening of the Australian Space Agency at Lot Fourteen

Prime Minister Scott Morrison today opened the headquarters of Australia’s first national space agency at Lot Fourteen, Adelaide, in what he described as an historic event for the nation.

“Space captures the imagination and inspires us all,” the Prime Minister said.

“It develops new technologies that improve life on Earth and it offers huge economic and job opportunities.”

The Agency is housed in the heritage-listed McEwin Building at Lot Fourteen innovation neighbourhood, which is also home to the new SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre, pioneering space companies Myriota Inovor Technologies, Neumann Space and SITAEL Australia and the CSIRO’s space science and technology research, with the Space Discovery Centre and the Mission Control Centre to come. Defence and space is one of four deep tech focus sectors at Lot Fourteen.

The Prime Minister said the Agency was central to the Federal Government’s vision to secure more jobs and a larger share of the growing space economy – forecast to be worth over $1 trillion around the world by 2040. The Federal Government has set the goal of tripling the size of the sector in Australia to $12 billion and adding an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.

“We’re investing almost $700 million into the space sector, including $150 million into Australian businesses so they can pick up more work and support more jobs by partnering with NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative,” the Prime Minister said.

Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia was now at the forefront of the nation’s space endeavours.

“We are now, without a doubt, the space capital of the nation,” the Premier said.

“Young people from across the state have the opportunity to seize incredible jobs across the sector, right here in South Australia.

“We’ve secured the headquarters of the Australian Space Agency, SmartSat CRC, Mission Control and the Space Discovery Centre.

“There’s an ambition to triple the size of Australia’s space economy by 2030, and Adelaide is going to be right at the heart of this monumental project.

“Young South Australians can look up at the stars and genuinely find opportunities right here in this state to pursue their dreams.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Agency’s opening was another chance to highlight the great opportunities space presented to everyday Australians.

“Australia’s space sector has gone from strength to strength since we established the Agency and I’m confident we will continue to build on that momentum,” Minister Andrews said.

“Space is inspirational but it’s also big business,” she said. “Space will create opportunities for core industries — from manufacturing to mining — to tap into new supply chains.”

Head of the Australian Space Agency, Dr Megan Clark AC, said the national headquarters were a strong base for the Agency to grow and transform the Australian space industry.

“We’re delighted to have a new home in the centre of Adelaide, and we look forward to developing the Australian Space Discovery Centre and Mission Control, which will open next year,” said Dr Clark.

“I want to thank our team for all the hard work to establish our new facility, on time, and on budget.”