ADELAIDE, Australia, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Bringing together Australia's space industry should be the priority of the nation's newly-announced space agency, leading scientists have said.
The Australian Academy of Science (AAS) on Wednesday launched its Vision for Space Science and Technology in Australia at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide.
The coalition of the country's leading scientists identified a strategic coordination framework as the highest priority for the Australian space agency, the establishment of which was announced at the IAC on Monday.
"We certainly envisage a future -- by 2027 or sooner -- in which Australia will have a vibrant space sector and space industry, underpinned by a national space agency," Fred Menk, Chair of the AAS National Committee for Space and Radio Science, said in a media release on Wednesday.
The mission statement included examples of international projects which Australia could be involved in if the framework existed, notable the China-based International Space Weather Meridian Circle Program which is proposing to build weather measurement instruments along meridian lines.
"The lack of a national coordination framework for space weather activities impacts on Australia's engagement with and capacity to respond to strategic programs such as this one," Menk said.
"With the right policy support, Australia can mobilize the sector to create a significant space industry, based on innovative and niche products, in a relatively short time."
