Australian Government Commits to Join NASA in Lunar Exploration and Beyond
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his nation’s intention to join the United States’ Moon to Mars exploration approach, including NASA’s Artemis lunar program.
The announcement took place at a ceremony Saturday at NASA Headquarters in Washington during which NASA Deputy Administrator, Jim Morhard, and Head of the Australian Space Agency, Megan Clark, signed a joint statement of intent. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey and U.S. Ambassador to Australia Arthur Culvahouse Jr. also participated in the ceremony.
The statement foresees potential Australian contributions in areas of mutual interest such as robotics, automation, and remote asset management – similar to that currently used by Australia in mining operations – and builds on a unique history of space cooperation between the U.S. and Australia that dates back to the Apollo era.
As part of Australia’s commitment to partner with NASA, Morrison pledged to more than triple the Australian Space Agency budget to support Artemis and Moon to Mars.
A handout picture made available by the NASA shows US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross (top-L), Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison(top-R), witness the signing of a letter of intent between NASA and the Australian Space Agency by NASA Deputy Administrator Jim Morhard (L) and Dr. Megan Clark (R), Head of the Australian Space Agency, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, USA, 21 September 2019. NASA and the Australian Space Agency will build on over 60 years of collaboration in space exploration between the two countries and commit to expanding cooperation. EPA-EFE/JOEL KOWSKY / NASA
