Australia has launched a space-focused defense agency, The Defence Space Command, to confront Russia and China’s space ambitions.
The Defence Space Command, according to Defence Minister Peter Dutton, will ensure Australia’s presence in space.
Australia’s incapacity to counter Beijing and Moscow’s operations has “scared” Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, who will lead it.
Weapons capable of destroying a satellite in space are likely to have undergone testing by the US, Russia, and China.
A Chinese satellite could conceivably “take out” the National Broadband Network for remote Australia, according to the agency’s head.
Her job entails raising a “national understanding” of space risks among Australians.
Vice-Marshal Roberts said that “we are really tight with the US” and “we can rely on them to an extent, but we need to accelerate the capability so that we can deal with the threats”.
Australia: Space Force in Future
Mr. Dutton stated that the Defence Space Command would be modest at first. But Australia would eventually require a “Space Force in the future,” referring to the US Space Force. It was launched in 2019.
He chastised “countries that see space as a territory for their taking, rather than one to be shared”.
In this century, space will take on “greater military significance,” according to Mr. Dutton, who cautioned against it becoming a battleground for nations.
Members of the new agency will come from the Australian army, navy, and air force, as well as private contractors.
Last year, Australia revealed plans for a news agency. It will be under the control of the Air Force.
It comes three years after the establishment of the United States Space Force. On social media, the agency’s uniforms drew criticism. Some questioned why they needed to disguise for use in space. Its official logo was likely to mimic one from the cult sci-fi TV series Star Trek.
In 2019, the United Kingdom also established a military space command center.