‘Big potential’ for Australia–Israel space projects
IT seems even the sky won't be the limit for closer Australia–Israel ties.
IT seems even the sky won’t be the limit for closer Australia–Israel ties.
Collaborations between the two nations in the $420 billion global space industry are set to strengthen, according to the director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Science Technology and Space Peretz Vazan, who attended the recent International Aeronautical Congress (IAC) in Adelaide.
Vazan told The AJN he welcomed the Australian government’s announcement at the event to create its own national space agency.
“I congratulate Australia for this important step in the right direction – there is big potential in space exploration and no doubt the creation of the agency will contribute a lot in terms of innovation and technology,” Vazan said.
“One of Israel’s goals is to have [more] international cooperation … we believe that there is room – we need to find the areas in common that might contribute to both agencies.
“Everything depends on mutual interest, and in regard to Australia – as a first step – we’ve opened a channel of direct communication with Dr Megan Clark [chair of the Australian Space Industry Capability reference group], Dr Larry Marshall [CSIRO CEO] and Joe Andrews [assistant manager of Civil Space and Cyber Security].
“I would like to thank the Embassy of Israel in Canberra for their assistance in creating these contacts.”
Israel established its space agency in 1983 and is now reaping the rewards of having the means to work on multiple projects with NASA and space agencies around the world.
This year the Israel Space Agency is working with its counterpart in France to launch the world’s smallest satellite [called Venus], joining forces with Italy’s space agency to launch the Shalom satellite, and sending some of Israel’s best science students on internships with NASA.
“We held very good meetings [here at the IAC conference in Adelaide] with most of the space agencies we have collaborations with,” Vazan said.
“In January 2018 the 13th Ilan Ramon International Space Conference will be held in Israel – and we invite you [Australians] all to come.”
When asked what Australia could learn from Israel to boost innovation, Vazan emphasised the role of relevant government departments working together to establish priorities and allocate budgets.
As examples, he said his department increased its budget for academic research grants to scientific institutes, expanded bilateral science agreements, and launched the Education to Science Program, working with local councils to implement practical projects “that give young people a chance to study science”.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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