Australia participates in the EU’s Galileo and Copernicus space programs.

Cooperation in space technologies includes applications in navigation, environment, and disaster response.

WHY IT MATTERS

The EU Space Programme provides satellite data used worldwide for climate monitoring, disaster response, navigation, and environmental protection.

Australia hosts a regional data hub for the EU’s Copernicus programme, supporting bushfire monitoring, agriculture, and climate research.

CSIRO also works closely with the European Space Agency on Earth observation cooperation, including around their cutting-edge science missions.

WHAT’S DRIVING IT?

The EU and Australia signed the Earth observation cooperation arrangement in 2015 which enhances access to Copernicus, the EU’s Earth Observation and Monitoring programme.

Every day, Copernicus delivers comprehensive snapshots of Australia and the surrounding region, providing insight into how our natural resources, environment and cities are changing.

LOOKING AHEAD

Australia could work with Europe on future space missions, thanks to a joint statement of intent signed between the Australian Space Agency and the European Space Agency in 2019. The statement supports deeper cooperation on future space missions, including navigation, communications, and data analysis.

INTERESTING FACT

In 2024 the European Commission established a robust public-private partnership with a multi-orbital constellation of 290 satellites that will combine the benefits offered by Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth (LEO) satellites.

MORE INFORMATION

EU and Australia sign Earth observation cooperation arrangement