GSR_3
                                              Geospatial Science Research 3
                              School of Mathematical and Geospatial Science, RMIT University
                                                      December 2014


                    Earth Observation and Space Security
              Emerging Investment Decisions for Australia
                                             Brett Biddington AM
                                  Biddington Research Pty Ltd, Mawson, ACT.

                                           Email: bbidding@tpg.com.au

Abstract
This keynote address will discuss why Australia’s investment in space activities and capabilities is as it is.
Australia’s geography and alliance relationships have been vital factors. Determination to be a good
international citizen, cost and radio spectrum allocations have also played their part. The address will also
provide some pointers to future investments that Australia may well decide to make in its national and broader
international interests.
With specific reference to Earth observation from space my address will provide some rationale for why
Australia has not been an active investor in satellites of its own but has been content to make use of data
provided by others. It will also predict that this situation is likely to change in the coming decade and that
Australia will begin to invest directly in space-based sensors – possibly as hosted payloads on satellites operated
by other nations and commercial organisations as well.
My talk will illustrate how Australia is becoming an active participant and investor in Space Situational
Awareness (SSA), through a range of classified and unclassified initiatives, including active involvement in
international transparency and confidence building measures (TCBM) through the International Code of
Conduct (ICoC) discussions that have been held in recent years. Recently the Commonwealth also invested in a
Cooperative Research Centre, known as the Space Environment Research Centre (SERC). The SERC, of which
RMIT is an important research partner, aims to conduct unclassified research into SSA using ground-based laser
technology as a key enabler.