Australia can join Japan and the EU in building a large scale satelite network by simply contributing the two mothballed Arrows- An obvious use of expensive assets , unless Albanese and Wong are afraid of angering China

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

As reported: 

Japan and the European Union (EU) will jointly build a large-scale satellite network.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and EU Council President António Costa will hold a summit in Tokyo on the 23rd to discuss the policy, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on the 13th.

he two sides plan to jointly build a 'satellite constellation' that simultaneously launches a number of small communication satellites and integrates them. Using satellite constellation technology, which means a group of satellites, one large satellite can perform difficult high-precision observations more often and accurately. Almost real-time intercommunication is also possible.

As previously reported here  Australia has two multi-million dollar Airbus Arrow satellites in storage and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's AUKUS in space proposal can be activated immediately by putting the Arrows into service

Australia can join Japan and the EU in building a large scale satelite network by simply contributing the two Arrows, putting to use two assets that have already been paid for. The data downloand and analysis infrastrcuture ought to be considered vital additions to the Australian civilian and defence infrastructure.

All this may well anger China, but that should not matter.  

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Australia has two multi-million dollar Airbus Arrow satellites in storage -Scott Morrison's AUKUS in space proposal can be activated immediately by putting the Arrows into service

 by Ganesh Sahathevan 

                                                                              

Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, who initiated AUKUS, has called for the alliance to expand its activities to include space.   AUKUS Pillar 2 -Advanced Capabilities includes a Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability programme which will “provide 24-hour continuous, all weather global coverage to detect, track and identify objects in deep space and increase space domain awareness.”

The first radar site will be in Western Australia and is planned to be operational in 2026, with two radar sites in the US and UK “in service by the end of the decade.” Grant Shapps, then Defence Secretary, identified Cawdor Barracks in South-West Wales as the preferred host site in the UK, subject to planning permission.

Meanwhile, the Labor Government has mothballed two Airbus Arrow satellites that have already been built and paid for. This writer has noted that   China's Tasman Sea adventures are a demonstration of why the two Airbus Arrow satellites mothballed by Ed Husic MP must be put into service.

The Pentagon has a fleet of Arrows and so Australian owned and operated watching over the South China Sea and surrounds will be more than complimentary to the Pentagon fleet.

END

Posted by ganesh sahathevan at 6:36 AM