Australia joins space race with national agency

Australia will enter the space race by establishing its own national space agency, the government has said.

Although its space industry employs about 11,500 people, Australia is one of the few major developed countries that do not have a space agency.

Michaelia Cash, Australia’s industry minister, said it was “crucial” that the country capitalised on the growth of the space industry. The move follows a domestic industry review which called for a dedicated body to be established.