Will the new National Space Agency open up more opportunities in aerospace?

[TylerD9]

Disclaimer: Wasn't sure where to post this, so feel free to move it where it belongs.

So after the federal budget got released, I'm sure we are all aware that there is going to be a new space agency in Australia (if not, have a read, https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/05/australias-space-agency-is-getting-26-million-from-the-government/).

My question is, how much will this open the aero/astrospace, astrophysics, space flight and space exploration industries in Australia? For someone who loves space and everything to do with it, how many opportunities would arise from studying aerospace engineering and making a career out of it in the space industry, without having to leave Australia?
My point is, if this new space agency proves to be successful, would it get more funding put into the industry, and therefore more startups like SpaceX being formed in Australia? Would this give the industry good prospects for the next 5-20 years?

Correct me if I'm wrong, I just love the space industry and would love to be able to pursue a career in it if it means not having to leave Australia, but drop your thoughts below.

Edit: Just wanted to add, I was at the MCN when they were announcing the budget, and prospects for science are looking good. Around $300 million for new infrastructure, $13 billion for medical research, $26 million for the National Space Agency and more money being tipped into promoting women in STEM. I can see Australia finally emerging more into the STEM related industries, and I think science has a good future in our country if things keep going this way.

[vox nihili]

Disclaimer: Wasn't sure where to post this, so feel free to move it where it belongs.

So after the federal budget got released, I'm sure we are all aware that there is going to be a new space agency in Australia (if not, have a read, https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/05/australias-space-agency-is-getting-26-million-from-the-government/).

My question is, how much will this open the aero/astrospace, astrophysics, space flight and space exploration industries in Australia? For someone who loves space and everything to do with it, how many opportunities would arise from studying aerospace engineering and making a career out of it in the space industry, without having to leave Australia?
My point is, if this new space agency proves to be successful, would it get more funding put into the industry, and therefore more startups like SpaceX being formed in Australia? Would this give the industry good prospects for the next 5-20 years?

Correct me if I'm wrong, I just love the space industry and would love to be able to pursue a career in it if it means not having to leave Australia, but drop your thoughts below.

Edit: Just wanted to add, I was at the MCN when they were announcing the budget, and prospects for science are looking good. Around $300 million for new infrastructure, $13 billion for medical research, $26 million for the National Space Agency and more money being tipped into promoting women in STEM. I can see Australia finally emerging more into the STEM related industries, and I think science has a good future in our country if things keep going this way.

Similar answer as to your BEng thread...not an expert, but I don't think anyone could realistically answer these questions. You'd think that as technology develops, aerospace will become more and more relevant. We didn't think it would ever be possible to commercialise space when Russia first made it there (the resources would be beyond any private enterprise), yet here we are. There's no reason not to assume that costs associated with getting into space will come down, drawing more private enterprise into space and so on. So yeah, will be an expanding field.

Big question for someone about to start their career is when that will happen though. Certainly you'd think there aren't a lot of opportunities for it at the present time, with our space agency attracting that little funding (26 million in the scheme of things is bugger all). I'd hazard a guess that those opportunities won't really expand all that much in the next ten years, but trying to guess that is a mug's game tbh.

[TylerD9]

Similar answer as to your BEng thread...not an expert, but I don't think anyone could realistically answer these questions. You'd think that as technology develops, aerospace will become more and more relevant. We didn't think it would ever be possible to commercialise space when Russia first made it there (the resources would be beyond any private enterprise), yet here we are. There's no reason not to assume that costs associated with getting into space will come down, drawing more private enterprise into space and so on. So yeah, will be an expanding field.

Big question for someone about to start their career is when that will happen though. Certainly you'd think there aren't a lot of opportunities for it at the present time, with our space agency attracting that little funding (26 million in the scheme of things is bugger all). I'd hazard a guess that those opportunities won't really expand all that much in the next ten years, but trying to guess that is a mug's game tbh.

That is all very true, best to try and stay optimistic and hopefully it all works well so more funding goes into it.

[zofromuxo]

Disclaimer: Wasn't sure where to post this, so feel free to move it where it belongs.

So after the federal budget got released, I'm sure we are all aware that there is going to be a new space agency in Australia (if not, have a read, https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/05/australias-space-agency-is-getting-26-million-from-the-government/).

My question is, how much will this open the aero/astrospace, astrophysics, space flight and space exploration industries in Australia? For someone who loves space and everything to do with it, how many opportunities would arise from studying aerospace engineering and making a career out of it in the space industry, without having to leave Australia?
My point is, if this new space agency proves to be successful, would it get more funding put into the industry, and therefore more startups like SpaceX being formed in Australia? Would this give the industry good prospects for the next 5-20 years?

Correct me if I'm wrong, I just love the space industry and would love to be able to pursue a career in it if it means not having to leave Australia, but drop your thoughts below.

Edit: Just wanted to add, I was at the MCN when they were announcing the budget, and prospects for science are looking good. Around $300 million for new infrastructure, $13 billion for medical research, $26 million for the National Space Agency and more money being tipped into promoting women in STEM. I can see Australia finally emerging more into the STEM related industries, and I think science has a good future in our country if things keep going this way.

I can't answer from an aerospace perspective, but from the spatial industry this is a welcome news and is a big game changer for companies and event startups [Currently 80+ in Australia using spatial technologies for space].
It helps improve technologies' reach like improving GPS coverage and measurements from them, better quality satellite imagery, more industries embracing space technologies like agriculture and maritime. It can also have big impacts on the research conducted on the space industry like new technologies (check out the evolution of satellites like microsats are amazing)

But it really depends on the agency itself. Yes, this money is useful to improving all the things experts are listing, but it means nothing if the agency itself isn't good.
The answer to how many opportunities, more funding for space industry, good industry prospects is unknown. No one really can answer that because no one has a crystal ball into the future. I wouldn't be gung ho on this, but rather keep an eye on it and dip your toes into it, when an opportunity presents itself.
I'm hoping this incentive push into STEM improves the retention of Australian STEM researchers and technologies.
Just google some of the CSIRO inventions and you will be surprised how many we use in our lives and cool stuff they are doing.

To bring it back to your question, the National Space Agency is a good thing, lets hope it isn't a failure though or the opportunities it could bring become nought.
You might like to read what other experts think about this news on a National Space Agency