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Spacial professionals welcome the Australian space agency

Australia’s spatial professionals have welcomed the establishment of the Australian Space Agency as a renaissance of Australian leadership in space-borne earth observation.

“Australia’s spatial and other professionals have long been leading figures in space programs around the world. Despite this, we have – until now – been the largest first world economy without a national space agency”, said Gaby van Wyk, President of the Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI).

“Space is a global industry worth over $400 billion annually and growing in double digits every year. The economic and community multipliers for this industry are huge. Australia should be better positioned to lead and benefit from this, and thanks to the new Australian Space Agency we now are.

“The Australian space program will have a positive impact on so many aspects of our lives: technology, the environment, agriculture, transport and infrastructure planning, mining, smart cities, education, health, aviation and many more” said Mr van Wyk.

SSSI is the national peak body catering for Australia’s spatial information professionals. SSSI represents the interests of the spatial science community, nationally and internationally. SSSI represents Australia’s interests within the Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS) and the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).

Dr Petra Helmholz, Chair of SSSI’s remote sensing professionals, said, “our remote sensing professionals are delighted that their long-standing support for the establishment of a domestic space agency has finally come to fruition.”

“SSSI members look forward to the certainty and long-term growth of the domestic space industry. We believe that the Australian Space Agency will build further on our significant capability, capacity and international leadership in Earth Observation.

“SSSI and all our spatial professionals are committed to supporting and working closely with the Australian Space Agency. Our members bring broad expertise including a focus on Earth Observation and its importance to Australian industry, greater value to national and regional projects, expanded industry involvement in applications, and strong leadership of cross-sectoral collaboration for the space industries.

“SSSI and our members have a deep commitment to this: together we will deliver outstanding scientific, commercial and community outcomes for the Australian Space Agency and for our community,” concluded Helmholz

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