• Report finds WA's strengths align with the objectives of the Australian Space Agency
• Science Minister Dave Kelly calls on the Federal Government to base the space agency in WA
• The development of the space industry in WA will create local jobs  

A new report released today shows Western Australia would be an ideal home for the Australian National Space Agency.

The ACIL Allen report concludes WA's has geographic advantages and expertise required to have a thriving space industry, which align with the objectives of the Australian Space Agency.

The priority areas for the space agency include communications technologies, satellite data, Space Situational Awareness and debris monitoring, artificial intelligence, robotics and big data analytics. 

The ACIL Allen report concluded that:

• 'These geographic advantages have been reinforced by investments in communications and computational infrastructure and access to technical expertise.'
• 'Western Australia's southern hemisphere location and latitude were ideal for space situational awareness and networks that required global coverage of space assets.'
• 'They create significant opportunities for space situational awareness, optical communications, astronomy, space operations and defence space applications.'
• 'Western Australia hosts substantial capability in the development and use of space derived applications and services.  A major competitive advantage lies in applications in agriculture, mining, offshore oil and gas and remote operations and robotics.' 

There are already 74 international and Australian companies with a presence in WA operating in space and space related services.

The report was commissioned by a Steering Group, chaired by WA Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken AC, of stakeholders from the space sector, including the State's four universities.

Western Australia has already been involved in the space industry for nearly 60 years and has been involved in major projects such as the European Space Agency's ground station at New Norcia, a range of commercial space communications stations, the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.

• Report finds WA's strengths align with the objectives of the Australian Space Agency
• Science Minister Dave Kelly calls on the Federal Government to base the space agency in WA
• The development of the space industry in WA will create local jobs  

A new report released today shows Western Australia would be an ideal home for the Australian National Space Agency.

The ACIL Allen report concludes WA's has geographic advantages and expertise required to have a thriving space industry, which align with the objectives of the Australian Space Agency.

The priority areas for the space agency include communications technologies, satellite data, Space Situational Awareness and debris monitoring, artificial intelligence, robotics and big data analytics. 

The ACIL Allen report concluded that:

• 'These geographic advantages have been reinforced by investments in communications and computational infrastructure and access to technical expertise.'
• 'Western Australia's southern hemisphere location and latitude were ideal for space situational awareness and networks that required global coverage of space assets.'
• 'They create significant opportunities for space situational awareness, optical communications, astronomy, space operations and defence space applications.'
• 'Western Australia hosts substantial capability in the development and use of space derived applications and services.  A major competitive advantage lies in applications in agriculture, mining, offshore oil and gas and remote operations and robotics.' 

There are already 74 international and Australian companies with a presence in WA operating in space and space related services.

The report was commissioned by a Steering Group, chaired by WA Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Klinken AC, of stakeholders from the space sector, including the State's four universities.

Western Australia has already been involved in the space industry for nearly 60 years and has been involved in major projects such as the European Space Agency's ground station at New Norcia, a range of commercial space communications stations, the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research.