NASA has expressed interest in having an Australian train and fly with them on future missions, potentially including a walk on Mars. NASA administrator Senator Bill Nelson and deputy administrator Colonel Pam Melroy made the statements during a recent visit to Australia, where they also urged the government to provide more funding for the Australian space sector. The visit came as concerns were raised about the lack of momentum in the Australian Space Agency since its establishment five years ago, as well as China’s non-transparent behaviour in space. However, Australia is well-positioned in scientific expertise and the federal government signed a deal with NASA in 2021 to send an Australian-made semi-autonomous rover and Australian researchers for a lunar mission in 2026. There are also concerns that the Space Strategic Update, which was to provide a vision through to the 2040s of a schedule of space programs and investment opportunities for Australia’s space base, has stalled.
NASA administrator expresses interest in Australian involvement in space program.
