We still need large satellites for Australia’s core space interests

An article by Bella Richards, SpaceConnect Journalist

In the recent Space Connect Podcast episode, EOS' Glen Tindall says that large satellites are still vital for delivering some of Australia’s core space interests, such as Earth observation.

“If you want to build an Earth observation satellite; a satellite with basically a digital camera inside … a big lens on it, and it’s got a camera in the back end of it … you can’t fit that inside a tiny little satellite, it needs to be inside a larger spacecraft,” he said.

“Those type of missions are the sort of things that can generate a lot of economic value for Australia.”

His comments come as Australia is set to build and launch its own satellites in the coming years, as part of the federal government’s $1.16 billion in funding announced in late March.