View source for Organization:National Space Program

{{Use Australian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox space program|image=National_Space_Program_Logo.svg|name=National Space Program|country={{wipe|Australia}}|organization={{Unbulleted list|[[Organization:Australian Space Office|Australian Space Office]]|[[Organization:Australian Space Board|Australian Space Board]] (1986–1994)|Australian Space Council (1994–1996)|Remote Sensing Board (1995–1996)<ref name="budget1996"/>{{rp|p. 2.15}}|[[Earth:CSIRO|CSIRO]]}}|purpose=Develop a national space industry in Australia|status=Abolished|duration=1986–1996|cost=A$106 million<ref name="budget1996"/>{{rp|p. 3.16}}|firstflight={{Unbulleted list|
[[Engineering:STS-42|STS-42]] (On board a flight launched under [[Organization:NASA|NASA's]] [[Engineering:Space Shuttle program|Space Shuttle program]])|
January 22, 1992}}|lastflight={{Unbulleted list|
[[Engineering:STS-42|STS-42]]|
January 22, 1992}}|failures=0|successes=1|launchsite={{Unbulleted list|Cape York spaceport (Proposed)|Woomera spaceport (Proposed)}}|partialfailures=1 (STS-42)}}
The '''National Space Program''' was a set of policies and organisations under the Hawke and Keating governments created with the goals of developing a national space industry in Australia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122518532|title=Nation's space-age needs well defined in report: CSIRO|date=1985-06-25|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-07-19|page=8}}</ref> When the Howard government came to power in 1996 the program was abolished following the advice of the Bureau of Industry Economics. The National Space Program was generally considered a failure by most media after its demise.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132457766|title=Space-age ghost town finds a new life|date=1995-01-09|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-07-19|page=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/lost-in-space-australia-dwindled-from-space-leader-to-also-ran-in-50-years-83310|title=Lost in space: Australia dwindled from space leader to also-ran in 50 years|last=Dougherty|first=Kerrie|website=The Conversation|date=21 September 2017 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-14}}</ref> During its existence it was crippled by a lack of budget,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/space/australian-government-seeds-a-space-agency-but-will-it-take-off|title=Australian government seeds a space agency, but will it take off?|website=Cosmos Magazine|date=10 May 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref> and multiple white elephant projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2013/10/21/whatever-happened-to-the-cape-york-spaceport/|title=Whatever happened to the Cape York Spaceport? {{!}} John Oxley Library|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122409689|title=High-tech saviours or white elephants?|date=1992-04-13|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-07-19|page=9}}</ref>

== Background ==
Although Australia has had space interests dating back to the [[Astronomy:Apollo program|Apollo program]], prior to the establishment of the NSP Australia had had no unified space policy. At the time of the implementation of the program, Australia had separate space related programs under the Department of Defence, [[Earth:CSIRO|CSIRO]], the Department of Transport and Communications, multiple other departments, as well as multiple private and university programs.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Australia in space: a history of a nation's involvement|last=Dougherty, Kerrie Anne|isbn=978-1-925309-64-5|location=Hindmarsh, S. Aust. |publisher=ATF Press |oclc=999399923|year = 2017}}</ref>{{rp|p. 170}} In response to the disorganised state of the industry, the Hawke government commissioned the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences for a report into the state of Australia's space industry. The report, nicknamed the "Madigan Report", was completed in June 1985 and recommended the establishment of a space office, and focusing Australia's space industry towards ground-sensing capabilities.<ref name="madigan">{{cite report
 | author      = Australian Academy of Technological Services
 | date        = 1985-06-01
 | title       = A Space Policy for Australia (Madigan Report)
 | url         = https://www.spaceindustry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Madigan-report-pt-1.pdf
 | access-date = 2019-08-08
}}</ref> The report also recommended that A$100 million be budgeted over five years for Australian space programs.<ref name="madigan" /><ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 2}}

== Structure ==
[[File:National Space Program 1992 Organisation Chart.svg|thumb|An [[Organizational Chart|Organisation Chart]] describing Australia's National Space Program in 1992<ref name=":9">{{cite report
 | year        = 1992
 | title       = An integrated national space program: report / by the Expert Panel, [Australian Space Board, Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce].
 | url         = https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/30813814
 | publisher   = Department of Industry, Technology, and Commerce
 | location    = Canberra, Australia
 | access-date = 2019-08-09
}}</ref>]]
The National Space Program was primarily made up of the Australian Space Office and the Australian Space Board/Council. The Australian Space Board (replaced with the Australian Space Council in 1994) was formed to advise the Minister for Industry, Technology, and Commerce and government on national space policy, particularly in relation to commercial space programs. The ASO was established shortly afterwards to act as secretariat and to manage the day-to-day running of the policies created by the ASB.<ref>{{cite hansard |jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |title=National Space Program |url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;page=0;query=%22Australian%20Space%20Office%22%20Decade%3A%221980s%22;rec=0;resCount=Default |house=House of Representatives |date=1989-08-17 |column=0079 |speaker=Warwick Leslie Smith |position=Member for Bass}}</ref> The National Space Program also encompassed to a lesser degree the ''CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications'', the ''Defence Science and Technology Office'' space projects, and various committees and offices dedicated to certain uses of space technology.<ref name=":2" />{{rp|p. 170}}

The ASO itself was made up of 20 people.<ref name=":4" />{{rp|p. 2}}

== Funding ==
{{Pie chart|caption=Distribution of NSP funds by recipient 1985–86 to 1991–92<ref name=":4"/>{{rp|Figure 4.2}}|label1=Other|value1=27|label2=Vipac|value2=3|label3=CSIRO|value3=4|label4=Auspace|value4=28|label5=British Aerospace Australia|value5=38}}
The National Space Program was budgeted as part of the government's Science and Technology budget. Of the A$90 – 120 million dollars dedicated to "Industry and Space" grants each year,<ref name="budget1996" />{{rp|p. 3.6}} the National Space Program received between A$3 million and A$6 million.<ref name="budget1996" />{{rp|p. 3.16}} At the time of the program's demise, over A$500 million was spent annually on satellite programs, mostly internationally.<ref name=":1" />{{rp|p. ii}}

From the inception of the program to its abolition the government spent a total of A$106 million<ref name="budget1996" /> on the program. The table below describes how the funding was allocated for the majority of its lifetime:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Funding approval by broad space sub-sector 1985–86 to 1991–92<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|Table 4.2}}
!
!Projects approved
!Total funds approved ($'000)
!Percent of total funds
|-
|Remote sensing
|26
|16,514
|48.2
|-
|Science
|10
|8,547
|25.0
|-
|Launch services
|15
|4,558
|13.3
|-
|Communications
|18
|3,537
|10.3
|-
|General
|20
|1,094
|3.2
|-
|'''Total'''
|89
|34,250
|100.0
|}

== Objectives ==
The objectives of the National Space Program varied over the years it existed, however in 1987 the objectives were stated as:

* [To promote] commercially viable industries, and industry activities which are export oriented and internationally competitive, based on space technologies
* [to provide] an environment supportive of innovation through greater involvement of local industry in space research and development activities, and
* [to provide] support for [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] and other international space programs as required under international agreements<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite report
 | last=Button |first=John
 | year        = 1987
 | title       = Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce – Report for – 1986–87
 | url         = https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/publications/tabledpapers/HPP032016001217/upload_pdf/HPP032016001217.pdf
 | publisher   = Australian Government Publishing Service
 | location    = Canberra, Australia
 | format      = Annual Report
 | access-date = 2019-08-10
}}</ref>

These objectives were updated in 1992 to the following:

* Identification and implementation of the policies and programs required for the development of efficient internationally competitive industries based on space-related technologies;
* development of a policy framework for access to space goods and services of a national importance, and the identification and implementation of appropriate action by the Commonwealth, States and private sectors, and
* provision of support for [[Organization:NASA|NASA]] and other international space programs as required under international agreements.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite report
 | last=Button |first=John
 | year        = 1991
 | title       = Science and Technology Budget Statement 1990–91
 | url         = https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/publications/tabledpapers/HPP032016008736/upload_pdf/HPP032016008736.pdf
 | publisher   = Australian Government Publishing Service
 | location    = Canberra, Australia
 | format      = Annual Report
 | access-date = 2019-08-10
}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:STS-42 Launch.jpg|thumb|The ''[[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|Discovery]]'' STS-42 launch, upon which the ''Endeavour'' satellite was carried<ref name="sworld" />]]
The foundations of the NSP were set up within the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce in July 1985 in anticipation of the ''Madigan report''.<ref name=":4">{{cite book
|year= 1992
|chapter=Research Report 43; An Economic Evaluation of the National Space Program
|title=Bureau of Industry Economics RPTS. 41–46
|language=en
|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service
|chapter-url=https://imgur.com/a/5jPj7x9
}}</ref>{{rp|p. 1}}

That year the Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce gave a A$500,000 grant to the Australian National University to fund the development of an existing [[Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy|ultraviolet spectroscopy]] telescope project. The grant was the first of a total A$2.6 million invested into the project.<ref>{{cite press release
| author       = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
| title        = National Space Program Underway
| url          = https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/media/pressrel/HPR09015322/upload_binary/HPR09015322.pdf
| location     = Canberra, Australia
| agency       = Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce
| date         = 1985-10-16
| access-date  = 2019-07-22
}}</ref>

The next year the NSP began in earnest with the creation of the Australian Space Board, which reported to the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce on matters to do with space program funding, particularly pertaining to commercial and private industry space interests. Although the Madigan report had recommended the establishment of a dedicated space agency, this would not happen until the next year with the creation of the [[Organization:Australian Space Office|Australian Space Office]]. That year the government also announced the formation of the NSP, specifying the major goal was "To encourage greater involvement by Australian industry in space research and development activities to promote development of commercially viable industries based on space technologies".<ref>ASB, Annual Report 1986-87</ref> Additionally funding for the program was increased from A$3.2 million to A$5.4 million,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102045571|title=CSIRO gets boost from three-year funding|date=1988-08-24|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-07-19|page=16}}</ref> of which A$4 million went to the ASO. For the rest of the life of the program funding remained around A$6 million annually.<ref name=":4" />

In 1992, the telescope developed under the program, ''Endeavour'', was launched.<ref name="sworld">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/endeavour.txt|title=Endeavour|website=Sworld|access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref>

In 1994, the ASB was replaced with the Australian Space Council (ASC) and a new five-year plan was introduced.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/space/world/australia/aso.htm|title=Australian Space Office|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref> Additionally a Remote Sensing Board was established to provide a broader perspective on remote sensing policy matters. In its year of existence it published a study detailing an Australian Earth Observation Network.<ref name="budget1996" />{{rp|p. 2.15}}

From the years 1994 to 1996 a total of A$750,000 was contributed towards a collaborative program with {{wipe|Japan}} to develop [[Physics:Hypersonic speed|hypersonic]] technologies.<ref name="budget1996">{{cite report
 | last=Cook |first=Peter
 | year        = 1996
 | title       = Science and Technology Budget Statement 1995–96
 | url         = https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/publications/tabledpapers/HPP052016003145/upload_pdf/HPP052016003145.pdf
 | publisher   = Australian Government Publishing Service
 | location    = Canberra, Australia
 | format      = Annual Report
 | access-date = 2019-07-22
}}</ref>{{rp|p. 2.92}}

In 1996 the ASC, ASO, and all funding for the program was abolished by the incumbent Howard government following a review by the Bureau of Industry Economics,<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{cite press release
| author       = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
| title        = Future Direction of Australian Space Effort
| url          = https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/media/pressrel/Q7230/upload_binary/Q7230.pdf
| location     = Canberra, Australia
| publisher    = Australian Government Publishing Service
| agency       = Department of Industry, Science and Technology
| date         = 1996-08-20
| access-date  = 2019-08-12
}}</ref> with only a few satellite programs remaining.<ref name=":8" />

== Projects ==

=== Communications ===

==== AUSSAT ====
In the mid eighties the [[Company:Hughes Aircraft Company|Hughes Aircraft Company]] was awarded a contract to build a new generation of AUSSAT communications satellites.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124995845|title=Aussat will not go astray, space expert pledges|date=1984-03-13|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-08-10|page=11}}</ref> Although this was not a program funded by the NSP, the ASO signed an [[Earth:Offset agreement|offsets agreement]] with Hughes to provide a program of work for Australian industry in the development of AUSSAT's satellites.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102032809|title=Australia Means Business in Space|date=1988-07-16|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-08-10|page=18}}</ref> ASO hoped the offset obligations would help develop the space manufacturing industry in Australia.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 51}}

As part of the project Australian companies were given contracts by Hughes to supply A$22 million of equipment, of which A$7.85 million was invested into new facilities and increasing their workforce.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 52}}

==== Satellite Communications Working Party (SCWP) ====
In 1988, the ASB created the SCWP to provide specialist advice on the future development of a commercial satellite communications industry. The aim of the SCWP was to formulate a national strategy for the satellite communications industry.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title=Industry development: the report of the Satellite Communications Working Party|publisher=Australian Government Publishing Service|year=1989|location=Canberra, Australia}}</ref>

==== L-Band Mobile Satellite Systems (LMSS) Office ====
The LMSS Office was formed by recommendation of the SCWP to assist Australian industry to better understand the nature of commercial opportunities with [[Astronomy:L band|L-Band]] mobile satellite systems.<ref name=":5" /> The office was established in November 1989,<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 55}} and with the entry of [[Company:Telstra|Telecom]] as a partner of AUSSAT it was seen as a guarantee that LMSS would be commercially viable. However, shortly after a review, Telecom withdrew from the partnership, delaying efforts.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 55}} The LMSS Office was shut down afterwards.<ref name=":9" />

==== Space Industry Development Centres ====
In 1991, the program started a ''Space Industry Development Centres'' (SIDCs) initiative directed at the development of an Australian commercial space industry. The program aimed to convince private industry to divert R&D resources into space related ventures in collaboration with University research centres.<ref name=":3">{{cite press release|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=More Space Industry Development Centres|url=https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/media/pressrel/HPR02003426/upload_binary/HPR02003426.pdf|location=Canberra, Australia|agency=Department of Industry, Technology and Commerce|date=1991-08-06|access-date=2019-07-22}}</ref> The SIDCs program was especially interested in increasing the space communications industry.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 57}} The government hoped the initiative would create Australian products and services capable of competing in international markets.<ref name=":3" /> By 1996, SIDCs had been established in Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, and the University of South Australia.<ref name="budget1996" />{{rp|p. 5.65}}

=== Launch services ===

==== Cape York spaceport ====
The Cape York spaceport project was by far the most famous of the NSP's initiatives. Both spaceport projects were primarily considered because of the geographic advantages of launching space craft inside Australia, however commercial viability was uncertain.<ref name=":4" />{{rp|p. 17}}{{Rp|p. 62}} By 1992, the Cape York project was scrapped.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126933121|title=Spaceport support may end|date=1992-07-05|work=Canberra Times|access-date=2019-07-19|page=3}}</ref> By the end of the program the NSP had allocated over A$2 million of funds towards the project with uncertainty that the project would ever proceed.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|Table 4.2}}

==== Woomera spaceport ====
The Woomera spaceport was the second spaceport proposal, designed to take advantage of the emerging market for placing lightsats (<1000&nbsp;kg satellites) into [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|Low Earth orbit]]. The location of a lightsat in Australia was attractive due to its geographical location and general stability. The Woomera program never got out of planning before the downfall of the program.<ref name=":4" />{{rp|p. 17}}

=== Remote sensing ===
The remote sensing projects of the NSP were the most successful of the NSP initiatives, with many of the programs living on today under different departments or its decedents.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|p. 66}} It also received the most funding of all the areas, totaling 48.2% of awarded funds.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|Table 4.2}}

The remote sensing developments funded under the program were vital to a range of public goods and services including meteorology, resource management, mapping, and research conducted by the CSIRO. The mining industry was the largest user of remote sensing techniques, making up half of the entire market capital.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|Footnote 80}}

=== Endeavour satellite ===
The ''Endeavour'' project was the first and largest of the successful NSP programs. Receiving over A$10 million in funding over the lifetime of the program,<ref name=":1">{{cite report
 |last=James|first=Matthew
 | year        = 1998
 | title       = Australia in orbit: space policy and programs.
 | url         = https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/85105/upload_binary/85105.pdf
 | publisher   = Australian Government Publishing Service
 | location    = Canberra, Australia
 | access-date = 2019-07-24
}}</ref>{{rp|p. 10}} the satellite telescope was built primarily to test the Australian developed low light detector array. The satellite was developed by the CSIRO and built by [[Place:Canberra|Canberra]] based company, Auspace Ltd.<ref name=":6" />

On 23 January 1992, the telescope was launched on the [[Engineering:Space Shuttle Discovery|Space Shuttle ''Discovery'']] as part of flight [[Engineering:STS-42|STS-42]], however the test failed due to various technical difficulties experienced in the third stage of flight.<ref name=":6">CSIRO Space Industry News, No. 44, p. 2, Feb. 1992</ref>

By the end of the satellite program the ''Endeavour'' had flown twice.<ref name=":1" />{{rp|p. 10}}

=== Along Track Scanning Radiometer ===
The ''[[Earth:AATSR|Along Track Scanning Radiometer]]'' (ATSR) was a joint venture between Auspace and British Aerospace Australia to build and use remote sensing equipment for use on the [[Engineering:European Remote-Sensing Satellite|European ERS-2 spacecraft]] in 1995. The project evolved into the Advanced ATSR (AATSR) program in 1999,<ref name=":1" />{{rp|p. 10}} which was in use until 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atsrsensors.org/aatsr.htm|title=ATSR {{!}} What is ATSR? {{!}} AATSR|website=www.atsrsensors.org|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Organization:Australian Space Agency|Australian Space Agency]]
* [[Organization:Australian Space Research Institute|Australian Space Research Institute]]
* [[Organization:Australian Space Office|Australian Space Office]]
* Australian Space Council
* [[Organization:Australian Space Board|Australian Space Board]]

== References ==
{{Include-NASA}}<references />

{{Spaceflight}}

[[Category:Engineering projects]]
[[Category:Organizations (Engineering)]]
[[Category:Organizations|Engineering]]

{{Sourceattribution|National Space Program}}