Australian space policy

By the mid-1980s Australia's space industry was concentrated in the areas of tracking activities, assembly of spacecraft and ground station equipment, and active remote sensing applications. In 1986 the government announced a policy aimed at increasing the country's involvement in space research and development, and the development of commercially viable industrial activities based on space technologies. The main current component of the National Space Program is the provision of a digital electronics unit and fast delivery processor for the ERS-1 remote sensing spacecraft. Future priority areas are satellite-based communications, remote sensing, spacecraft ground support, an Australian rocket launching site, and scientific research supporting space industry development.