Looking at Australia from space

Earth observation satellites aren't exactly New Space. In fact, they are as Old Space as you can get. But some nations are just starting to appreciate how important that data from space can be.

Australia has just announced its first Government Space Policy. Coincidentally, my year in Australia has been spent on a team developing an Earth-observing radar satellite for measuring the water in Australia's soils.

The Garada synthetic aperture radar satellite. Image: EADS Astrium.

In this article published online today in The Conversation, I argue that there is no more important data for Australia than its water resources. What's curious about the Space Policy is that it doesn't make any commitments to develop this or any other capability.

That discussion is just beginning.