The deal specifically addresses challenges including managing space debris, advancing satellite technology and aiding integration with defence.
It’s the latest agreement between the two nations and comes with Australia preparing to host the global IAC conference in Sydney next year.
The MoU with the Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) was signed by senior figures attending last week’s DefSAT 2024 conference in New Delhi.
==
==
Jeremy Hallett, the executive chairman of the SIAA, hailed the important relationship between the two countries.
“Numerous initiatives and investments have been established since the government relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, but more needs to be done for space,” he said.
“Our respective space sectors are aligned in efforts to create space technology and services which have a meaningful impact for lives here on earth.
“Across both space sectors, there is a keen interest from private capital to back an emerging sector. Emerging companies are harnessing a talent pool of young, educated, hard-working and enthusiastic workers building technology at an incredible rate and scale.
PROMOTED CONTENT
“This MoU is a recognition of this progress and underscores a shared commitment to advancing the space industry, leveraging synergies, addressing challenges, and enhancing competitiveness.”
Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, SIA-India’s president, said the partnership would foster innovation and the exchange of knowledge.
“This collaboration establishes a platform for the exchange of expertise and the formulation of best practices in critical areas of space and defence,” he said.
“It enables the creation of business-to-business partnerships, facilitates capacity building, promotes skill development, and drives research and development initiatives.”
As part of the new deal, the SIAA will participate in June’s India Space Congress event, while SIA-India will attend next year’s global IAC conference in Sydney.
The five-day International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is expected to attract around 7,000 delegates and will be held between 29 September and 3 October.
Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the IAC is known as the Olympics of space and was first held in Paris in 1950.
Australia has hosted it twice – initially with the 49th IAC in Melbourne in 1998 and then with the 68th IAC in Adelaide in 2017.
The new agreement, meanwhile, comes after the previous federal government, in 2022, pledged to invest $42 million into space initiatives with India and a deal was signed to increase collaboration by Sydney’s National Space Industry Hub.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
Receive the latest developments and updates on Australia’s space industry direct to your inbox. Subscribe today to Space Connect here.
