New Zealand and Australia to accelerate space science and technology

New Zealand and Australia are collaborating to advance space science and technology through 3 innovative space projects. The partnership aims to deepen scientific ties, accelerate innovation, and unlock new opportunities for both nations in the global space sector.

New Zealand will invest up to $5.3 million in the collaborative space science projects. These projects were selected following feasibility studies that demonstrated strong potential for real-world impact and technological advancement.

The 3 projects focus on maritime monitoring, smart farming, and high-speed satellite communications, and are designed to build local capability, support economic development, and protect national interests.

The selected projects are:

• Monitoring the Southern Indo-Pacific from Space – The Takahē Mission: A joint satellite mission to enhance maritime domain awareness.
• Satellite Sensing in Agricultural Practices: GNSS-based soil moisture monitoring to improve water efficiency and drought resilience.
• Governance and Management of a Network of Free-Space Optical Communication Nodes: Development of a high-speed trans-Tasman optical communications network for satellite data.

In 2024, New Zealand’s space sector supported 17,000 jobs and generated an estimated $2.68 billion in revenue. This partnership aims to grow that impact even further.

Read the Ministers’ announcement:

Govt funding for trans-Tasman space projects(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Read more about the projects:

Catalyst: Strategic – Australia New Zealand Collaborative Space Programme