Robotics and automation on earth and in space roadmap 2021–2030

Date published:

24 January 2022

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This plan was published before May 2022 under the previous Australian Government.

The Australian Space Agency’s Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space Roadmap, is the third in a series of 7 roadmaps. The roadmap outlines a 10-year plan to support growth of Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space.

Australia’s remote operation capabilities have huge potential for the future of space exploration. The vision for this roadmap is that Australia will build, operate and maintain off-world infrastructure and assets to expand, support and sustain humanity on Earth and in space. This will support the long-term sustainability of outer space.

The Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space Roadmap provides a pathway to:

leverage Australia’s expertise in robotics technology and systems
provide critical solutions into the global marketplace that enable and support the sustained build-up of space assets and infrastructure
enable international collaboration with industry.

Australia is already a world leader in remote asset management in the resources sector, a capability which is also being applied to industries such as, resources, transport and agriculture. By leveraging our expertise we can also become a key player in space exploration.

Watch our video explainer

Show transcript

Robotics and Automation on Earth and in Space Roadmap – an introduction

How are robotics and automation involved in space?

Robotics and automation allow humanity to reach further and expand on what is possible.

Robots go places and do things that humans can't, and advances in automation allow us to carry out complex tasks with more sophistication.

These technologies are playing an ever-increasing role in supporting human operations on the moon.

Australia has expertise in large-scale remote asset management and Earth-based robotics in harsh environments.

A great example of this is our resource sector.

This means we are well-placed to become a leader in the automation of off-Earth activities, and to capture high-tech manufacturing opportunities in the process.

What is the purpose of the Roadmap?

The Roadmap sets out a vision and a strategy for Australia to build, operate and maintain off-world infrastructure and assets, to expand, support and sustain humanity on Earth and in space, in a manner that supports the long-term sustainability of outer space.

This is a key contribution to the Australian Space Agency’s mission to create an additional 20,000 jobs by 2030, and triple the size of the national civil space sector to $12bn.

The Roadmap also ensures our activities in space are consistent with our obligations, responsible, sustainable, and worthy of international respect.

Who worked with the Agency on the Roadmap?

A wide range of people supported the development of this Roadmap, across industry, universities, Federal government agencies, and industry organisations.

We also consulted with State and Territory governments, as well as international space agencies.