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Sky’s not the limit? Australia’s space division that’s joining the military
It turns out the sky’s not the limit for the Australian military… It’s set to launch its own space division, next year.
But the question is… why is it part of the military?
Across the seas… NASA is seperate from the US military, but all branches have provided the space agency, with talent since the first astronauts were announced in 1959
The military space command, will draw on all aspects of the Australian Defence Force.
Including personnel from the Royal Australian Navy, Army and Air Force.
Royal Australian Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts to become Australia’s first space commander.
Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts will take over the newly created position of Head of Space Division from January.
The Air Force chief has previously said that unlike other nations such as China and Russia… Australia won’t develop technologies to attack enemy satellites.
So If not for war… why does the space division need to sit within the military?
Well, Defence capabilities will focus on protecting Australia’s satellites and space traffic.
Having a space division within the military also plays a role in space diplomacy.
Australia is following in the UK’s footsteps.
Just last month the UK Space Command launched… staffed from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Air Force.
A space division in the military will allow Australia to join its allies.
In the age of spaceX …. It’s never been more important to fuel space capabilities, and for the land down under to coordinate at the same level as its allies too.
