The Australian Space Agency and Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA) will develop a common approach to the regulation of Australian space activities following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2023 Avalon Airshow.
The MoU was signed by Air Commodore Joe Medved and General Manager of the Office of the Space Regulator at the Australian Space Agency, Christopher De Luis.
“This MoU aims to ensure aligned pathways for Australian regulatory applicants to engage in both civil and Defence-focussed space activities, avoiding duplication and also providing opportunities to jointly grow Australian space regulatory capability,” De Luis said.
“This MoU demonstrates our commitment to improved space safety outcomes through harmonised regulatory regimes and risk-based approaches to safety; and sharing of skills, knowledge, information and safety data,” AIRCDRE Medved told ADM.
“We look forward to working with the ASA on the development of an exemplar space safety regulatory capability matched to Australia’s needs.”
The role of DASA is to assure the safety of Defence aviation, with emphasis on preventing aviation accidents and incidents. In July last year, DASA established a Directorate of Space charged with establishing regulation for military space safety and mission assurance.
The Office of the Space Regulator is a branch within the Australian Space Agency, responsible for the regulation of civil space activities.