Objective
Assist the development of Australian space activities through the efficient administration of the Space Activities Act 1998 (‘the Act’) and subsidiary regulations.
Significance for Australia
The Act allows the Australian Government to regulate commercial space activities in Australia and by Australians worldwide. Such regulation aims to ensure adequate resources are available for compensation in the event of damage caused by Australian space activities.
The Act implements certain Australian obligations entered into under UN Space Treaties and specific space cooperation treaties including that with Russia. Among Australian UN obligations are space object registration and liability commitments should the object cause damage.
Departmental role and current achievements
The Space Licensing and Safety Office (SLASO) assesses applications for approval under the Act and has responsibility for the ongoing development of subsidiary regulations and guidance material. This ensures that space activities do not jeopardise public safety, property, the environment, Australia’s national security, foreign policy or international obligations. The act also ensures that regulated activities are adequately insured for third-party purposes, and that accidents are investigated.
Since the establishment of the SLASO in June 2001, six space activities have been approved—two Hyshot launches at Woomera, the FedSat micro-satellite, the Optus C1 and two Optus D-series satellites. SLASO's assessment of the JAXA Hayabusa return mission is on hold pending program developments.
Targets for 2008–09
- Maintain assistance to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) by assessing its application to return the Hayabusa spacecraft from the Hayabusa asteroid to the Woomera Protected Area in 2010. The Hayabusa scientific spacecraft was launched from Japan in 2003, rendezvoused with the Hayabusa asteroid in 2005 and is now travelling to Earth.
- Continue with overseas launch assessments of assistance to Optus, for their Optus-D series of satellites, as required.
For further information
Phone: +61 2 6213 6986
Email: director.slaso@innovation.gov.au
Web: www.innovation.gov.au/space
May 2008