Explained: What will Australia’s new Defence Space Command Agency do?

What is the News?

Australia has announced a new Defence Space Command Agency to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in space.

What is the Defence Space Command Agency?

Setup by: Australia.

Aim: To achieve strategic space ambitions and lead the effort to assure Australia’s access to space.

Nodal Agency: The agency will bring members of the Air Force, Army, Navy and the Australian Public Service together under an integrated headquarters reporting to the Chief of Air Force, as the Space Domain Lead.

Functions of the Agency: To help Australia in developing and advocating space-specific priorities within the government, industry, allies and even international partners.

– To enable Australia in providing training to people to become space specialists, help it conduct strategic space planning and be able to be a part of any developments regarding the refinement of space policy.

Does India have its own Defence Space Agency?

India’s Defence Space Agency is a tri-service agency of the Indian Armed Forces. It was set up in 2018 and became operational in 2019.

Purpose: The agency is tasked with operating the space warfare and Satellite Intelligence assets of India. The DSA draws personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces.

Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Source: This post is based on an article “Explained: What will Australia’s new Defence Space Command Agency do?” published in Indian Express on 29th March 2022.