The McGowan Government today announced that Perth has secured the headquarters for the national entity AROSE (Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth), which will ensure Western Australia has a leading role in the Australia-NASA Moon to Mars partnership.
The industry-led, not-for-profit consortium will position Perth as a global centre for remote operations in space, and enable Western Australian industry and universities to bid for space exploration projects including NASA’s Lunar Gateway.
The McGowan Government has invested $1.5 million into AROSE, which is being led by founding partners Woodside, Fugro, Nova Systems, Curtin University and The University of Western Australia.
The consortium capitalises on the WA resource sector’s position as global leaders in autonomous and remote operations to develop technologies and services for space that will benefit future exploration, such as mining for water on the Moon.
PwC economic modelling estimates that in five years’ time the remote operations opportunities derived through AROSE will improve WA’s economy by $196 million on an annual basis and create 1,540 jobs in WA.
The adoption of digital and automation technologies in the mining, oil and gas sectors has the potential to add $74 billion to the Australian economy and create 80,000 new jobs by 2030 according to a 2019 AlphaBeta report.
As stated by Science and Innovation and ICT Minister Dave Kelly:
“The McGowan Government is seizing the opportunity to take part in the new generation space race to deliver on our commitment to diversify the economy and create WA jobs.
“Our investment to make Western Australia the home of AROSE is set to turn us into a global centre for remote operations in space.
“As the world-leader in autonomous and remote operations and a participant in the space industry for more than 60 years, WA is primed and ready to contribute to the Australia-NASA Moon to Mars partnership.
“What AROSE will do, is take the world-class technology already utilised in Western Australia and adapt it for remote operations on the Moon, Mars and beyond.
“In doing so, it will unlock new opportunities for WA businesses to participate in global space supply chains and ensure local businesses secure contracts in international space initiatives such as NASA’s Lunar Gateway and project Artemis.
“By leveraging our world-class expertise, this consortium will see Western Australia take part in the global space economy which was valued at US$350 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow to US$1.1 trillion by 2040.”
