‘I’ll take what we can get’: Australian astronomer’s UFO funding call
The federal government’s new space statement promises ambition but does little to even bandaid over a defunded research area, an astronomy expert says.
A leading astronomer says he would settle for UFO research funding if it meant the federal government would take space research seriously.
A newly released government “statement on space,” launched by Industry Minister Tim Ayres, commits Australia to more ambitious work on research services, flights, agriculture and exploration technologies.
But Australian National University professor Brad Tucker said the statement, which so far does not commit any new funding to the sector, was the equivalent to “buying a box of bandaids” without even sticking one on.
“I’ll take whatever (money) we can get,” Dr Tucker said.
“At least if you’re tracking UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) or UFOs, you’re also tracking space junk. That’s situational space awareness.”
The Australian Space Agency’s budget has been cut by more than 50 per cent since 2024, which Dr Tucker said indicated the sector was “quite far down the totem pole” for priority research areas.
“We bat really far above our average. We do a lot better than our population size would indicate, but we have to have things in place to support it,” he said.
“It does seem that space is not a priority for the federal government.”
Labor’s strategy will include faster approval of space projects, as the nation races to keep up with places like India and the US.
Australian companies were building capability in rockets, satellites, positioning and advanced navigation technologies, hypersonic aircraft, robotics and advanced manufacturing, Ayres said.
The government hopes Australia can become the preferred location for rocket launches and returns in the Indo-Pacific, given its geographical advantages and world-class research institutions.
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“This focus is intended to support industry, government and partners to better understand where the Australian space industry can contribute to a more competitive, productive and resilient economy,” the statement says.
It comes as the country’s biggest space industry event converges on Adelaide this week.
The 19th Australian Space Forum, held at Lot Fourteen in the city across July 21-22, brings together international agencies, astronauts and some of the sector’s biggest innovators.
Highlights include representatives from the National Space Agency of Singapore, the Taiwan Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency joining to explore the future of Australia’s expanding space sector.
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