This self-described "somewhat motley crew of tertiary students united by their passion for all things space" perceived the need to build a sustainable Australian space industry.

One of the most positive outcomes of the conference was the development of an Australian Youth Space Charter, which was presented to all major Australian political parties during and after the Conference, for comment and endorsement.

Why the need to discuss Australia's future participation in space activity? And why was a Space Charter thought to be necessary? Overviews of the current state of play during the conference highlighted a fragmented industry, with a great deal of innovation to offer the world but severely underutilized potential.

For example, Australia was the third country to launch a satellite into space and satellite dishes such as the Parkes Radio Telescope in New South Wales enabled the world to view Neil Armstrong's 'giant leap for mankind' on the Moon on television in 1969.

From this promising start, Australia threw away many opportunities to participate in global space activity, such as declining to join the European Space Agency and not becoming an active player in the International Space Station project.

Those with ambitions to work in the space industry have generally had to travel overseas and this 'brain drain' is particularly frustrating to young Australian space professionals, who would prefer to work and develop their skills in their own country.

Australian-born astronaut Dr. Andy Thomas, well known for his stint on board Mir in 1998 and soon to head off to the ISS on the Shuttle Discovery in February, became a U.S. citizen (he now has dual citizenship) to enter their astronaut training program. The chances of another Australian following in his footsteps are remote at this stage.

Another example of the talent leaving Australian shores is Dr. Vaughan Clift, an Australian physician who works in Houston as Chief Scientist at DBCD Inc., developing technology for the space shuttle and ISS programs through an agreement with NASA.

Clift was one of the keynote speakers at Space Futures 2000 and hopes that one day Australia will have its own space program and will become involved in the international space effort.

One of the more spirited debates held during the conference revolved around the question - does the future of the Australian Space Industry depend on the establishment of a National Space Administration?

Representatives from industry, government and academia such as Clift, Jim Benson, CEO of SpaceDev, and Patricia Kelly of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, argued for and against the need for a centralised body in this area, with some arguing against an increase in bureaucracy.

While others felt that nothing would be achieved in this industry without an overarching body setting the framework for a national effort. The Charter came down on the side of creating a national Australian space agency, to coordinate space related activities and provide a framework for development and community education.

Other highlights of the conference were a Mars Forum open to the public, covering the challenges and possibilities behind a possible manned mission to Mars, and workshops showcasing a diverse number of areas of research and development taking place across the country. These included:

• Satellite technology, such as FedSat, the Australian satellite due to be launched next year in celebration of the centenary of Australian Federation;
• Space life science, with the example of the work done by Dr. David Newman of the Gravitational Physiology Laboratory at RMIT University in Melbourne on high-g effects on the human body;
• Astronomy and astrophysics, such as the research carried out by the National Telescope Facility, leveraging on Australia's "unique view of the southern sky"; and
• University projects covering areas of research like space tether technology and flame propagation experiments in microgravity.

An Educators Forum highlighted the need to further Australian space education, with the Charter calling for the development of "public outreach programs and education initiatives across primary and secondary schools and the wider community" and the fostering of "partnerships between individual educators, universities and schools."

In this way, it is hoped that the community and young people in particular, will become more "enlightened and informed" about space and space programs. As Mei Ling Doery, founder of ASSA Victoria and one of the visionaries behind Space Futures puts it, "Education, like in so many industries, represents the lifeblood of ongoing space related development."

Networking was the other theme of the conference, with people from different backgrounds, States and areas of interest sharing ideas and information and forging new links. Collaboration ensures that "existing activities and agendas are built upon rather than reinvented," says Doery. "Nothing will be achieved without people working in concert with a common vision and goals."

It will be interesting to see how the political parties respond to the challenge thrown down by the framers of the Australian Youth Space Charter. Ultimately, the full realisation of the potential afforded by the Australian space industry will be dependent upon political action and change.

Ron Ekers, Director of Australia Telescope National Facility, gives an example of how political will led to outstanding achievement in the Australian sporting arena. Funding and support given to athletes was largely responsible for Australia's haul of gold medals at the recent Sydney 2000 Olympics.

What could be achieved in our research and development fields with similar funding and commitment he mused? A viable and flourishing Australian space industry appears not to be out of reach. But the future is now.

Jennifer Laing is a freelance writer from Melbourne, Australia

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