Australian Centre for Space Governance

National and international security operations today are highly dependent on space-based services such as Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT); Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR); and satellite communications (SATCOM). There is a critical need to explore, clarify and develop governance of the space domain for defence and security purposes, including space arms control and "responsible behaviours in space"

Space infrastructure and technologies (SITs)—from our ground stations to our orbiting satellites—have become increasingly integral to government operations and Australian life. SITs are not only valuable for outer space exploration and scientific discovery but impact everything from our connectivity and telecommunications, to our personal and global navigations, to the many ways we can observe and manage our planet.

"Law & Regulation” covers a wide range of issues, including the regulation of launches, satellite operations, spectrum allocation, protection of critical infrastructure, technology transfer and trade regulations, the sharing of information about potential dangers in space, liability for damage caused by space objects and more.

The property sector in Australia uses Earth observation data for urban planning, insurance assessments, and future planning in flood or drought or fire prone regions. There are also range of unique challenges and opportunities  for those with an interest in property in space, from intellectual property, to future off-Earth human habitats and space tourism.

As technology capabilities become more advanced, how humans interact with and use these systems also evolves. Commercialisation has led to exciting innovation and cheaper access to space, but this has also brought growing challenges in space traffic management, orbital congestion, and equitable access to valuable orbits and radio frequencies, which are natural resources that are rapidly becoming saturated. Our research areas also extend to sustainable lunar activities.

Social and cultural studies of outer space play a significant role in shaping humanity’s relationship with the cosmos by developing robust research to tackle current and future issues at a planetary and solar system scale. These studies address questions about inequality, injustice, colonialism, environmental impact and human behaviour in the context of space colonization, and resource exploitation, including interactions with Indigenous communities and businesses for ground based infrastructure .