No discussion of Australia’s involvement in space is complete without reference to the United States, which looms large in Australia’s space past and future. No matter what direction Australia seeks in space, the nature of the Australia-United States relationship in space, its drivers, and how it is managed is of crucial importance to how Australia does space.

The last 10 years have seen Australia slowly centre space in defence thinking, yet despite great fanfare, these steps are best seen as the first among many. Significantly, Australia is still in the process of articulating what it needs in defence space; it must further develop this if it is to best manage and leverage the space relationship with the United States.

The United States, long the most significant actor in space, has at the same time increasingly opened its doors to allies in the hitherto closed world of space. This represents opportunities for countries like Australia not just for better access, but also for a greater role in the space partnership.

Australia developing its own sovereign capability is not a zero-sum game but instead fits in with US concepts for working with partners to build collective resilience in space.

The degree to which Australia seeks its own path in space will be shaped both by its own goals and the challenges inherent in the relationship. As Australia implements its strategy in space, both civil and military, it must address the degree to which the United States allows Australia ‘inside the tent’ in space and the delicate balance between local development and less resource-intensive options for procurement.