As India and Australia deepen their strategic ties, space cooperation between the two nations has emerged as a significant focus, especially with the upcoming QUAD Leaders’ Summit in the United States, where leaders from both countries will meet alongside their counterparts from the US and Japan. Space collaboration is becoming an essential element of their broader partnership, given both nations’ ambitions to expand their space capabilities and commercial activities.
“Australia, with its rapidly growing space industry, is positioning itself as a key player in the global space economy, and India, through its Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), continues to solidify its role as a leader in space technology and exploration,” says Dr Srimathy Kesan, Founder, and CEO of SpaceKidz India.
Australia’s Rising Space Industry
Australia’s space industry is in a period of rapid transformation, marked by significant government investment and a burgeoning startup ecosystem. The Australian government has identified space as a priority sector, with a vision to grow the industry to $12 billion by 2030 and create approximately 20,000 new jobs. According to Dr Srimathy Kesan, “This ambitious target is supported by initiatives like the Moon to Mars program, which connects Australian businesses with NASA’s Artemis program, contributing to the global space supply chain.”
The Australian Space Agency (ASA), established in 2018, is at the forefront of this transformation, focusing on key areas such as satellite technologies, earth observation, and space situational awareness. Notably, Australia’s geographic position in the southern hemisphere provides a unique advantage for launching satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, with new launch facilities such as the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in South Australia enhancing the country’s launch capabilities.
Strengthening India-Australia Space Collaboration
India and Australia have enjoyed a long-standing partnership in space exploration, and their collaboration has been further reinforced in recent years. “In 2021, ISRO and the Australian Space Agency signed an Amendment to the 2012 India-Australia Inter-Governmental MoU on space cooperation. This amendment formalized their joint efforts in earth observation, satellite navigation, and space situational awareness, while also extending cooperation to support India’s `Gaganyaan’ human spaceflight program.”
In a significant milestone, Australia recently signed an $18 million MoU with ISRO’s commercial arm, `NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)’, to launch an Australian satellite payload on India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) by 2026. This mission, named `Space MAITRI’, marks Australia’s largest satellite launch from Indian soil, and is part of a broader initiative to enhance bilateral space research and technology collaboration. The partnership not only boosts commercial space activities but also reflects the strategic importance both nations place on space cooperation.
Shared Vision Through the QUAD
As members of the QUAD, India and Australia, alongside the US and Japan, have increasingly aligned their space strategies to support regional stability and technological advancement. The upcoming QUAD Leaders’ Summit in the United States offers a critical platform for the two nations to advance their space cooperation agenda further, as the QUAD’s focus expands to encompass technological and security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
Space situational awareness, satellite navigation, and the use of space for defense and security purposes are expected to feature prominently in discussions. Both nations recognize the strategic role that space plays in ensuring security in the Indo-Pacific, particularly as major powers like China continue to expand their space ambitions.
The Path Ahead
The India-Australia space partnership is set to grow as both nations continue to invest in space technology and innovation. Australia’s strategy of attracting international collaborations, combined with India’s advanced space capabilities, makes this partnership a vital component of their broader defense and technological cooperation. Additionally, their shared participation in QUAD provides a framework for fostering multilateral space collaboration, further enhancing their influence in global space governance.
As the leaders of India and Australia prepare to meet at the upcoming QUAD Summit, their joint efforts in space will remain a key area of discussion, offering a glimpse into the future of Indo-Pacific security and technological development.