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Tokyo — Space BD, a leading Japanese space startup, held the “Australia – Japan Space Dialog 2021” on Thursday, October 28, 2021, bringing together panelists from the Japanese and Australian governments, space agencies, academic institutions, and private companies to discuss recent initiatives in space development in Japan and Australia, and their visions for future cooperation.
From Japan, Sakaguchi Shoichiro, Director, National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan and Shinobu Doi, Manager, JEM Kibo Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate at Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and from Australia, Karl Rodrigues, Executive Director, Engagement and Industry Growth at Australian Space Agency, Iver Cairns, Professor in Space Physics and Director of CUAVA, and Phil Bland, Director of the Space Science and Technology Centre (SSTC) at Curtin University joined as the speakers.

 

The Event archive （YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ya69bVidPWw）
■　Opening toast from Shoichiro Sakaguchi, Director, National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan

Space cooperation between Australia and Japan has a good tradition, and now we are experiencing increasingly important collaboration in space sector between Australia and Japan since Australian Space Agency newly established.
This October, Space BD contributed making great success in satellite deployment of Australian university satellites from ISS Kibo, an important moment for us. NSPS hopes this event will be fruitful and hopes to explore further collaboration opportunities between Australia and Japan.

 

■　Comment from Shinobu Doi, Manager, JEM Kibo Utilization Center, Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate at JAXA

JAXA will encourage private sectors, researchers, and universities to develop the technology necessary for Low Earth Orbit and human spaceflight exploration towards the moon and beyond. CUAVA-1 and Binar-1 projects are good examples of collaborations between Australia and Japan. The Australian Space Agency and JAXA signed an MOU in 2020. I hope this helps to accelerate the collaboration between Australia and Japan. Moon and beyond mission is impossible for one nation to complete and important to collaborate.

 

■　Comment from Karl Rodrigues, Executive Director, Engagement and Industry Growth at Australian Space Agency

There is a number of challenges addressed in space, such as “space is hard, space is difficult.” The commercialization of space is needed to be identified. More people understand that the space is accessible for universities and other services, including satellite deployment. The event like this can be an opportunity to generate more awareness to bring more people into the space ecosystem.

 

■　Comment from Iver Cairns, Director of ARC Training Centre for Cubesats, UAVS & their Applications (CUAVA)

I am looking forward to a broader embrace of the space sector in Australia. I think there are many opportunities for our two countries. I look forward to us all being part of that.
Both Japan and Australia have worked on many projects in researches, education, and CubeSats. It may require some regulations by government or space agencies, but we can collaborate with small budgets.

 

■　Comment from Phil Bland, Director of Curtin University Space Science and Technology Centre

Two countries have been developing the relationship in research and science fields. We were very fortunate to support JAXA for the Hayabusa2 reentry project. It was very thrilling and tremendous to join the analysis as research staff, and I think that was the same for Japanese researchers. It was a great environment for our researchers and students. Working together on challenging joint projects is a great way of building the community between our nations.

 

■　Comment from Mac Kanazawa, Director, COO at Space BD

I believe in the power of cross-border Australia and Japan collaboration for commercial initiatives in the space industry, including CUAVA-1 and Binar-1 launch program. One of my favorite quotes and today I hear from all participants is, “if you want to go fast, get alone. If you want to go far, go together.” To make the space industry forward, collaboration is a great solution.

 

■　Appendix: About satellite deployment projects of CUAVA-1 and Binar-1

Space BD has provided the satellite deployment service to CUAVA since 2018 and Curtin University since 2019. In October 2021, the satellites when to the International Space Station and successfully be deployed into space by the Japanese astronaut Akihiko Hoshide.
(詳細：Space BD Strengthening Relationship with the Australian Space Industry to Promote the Industry in Australia Two Australian Academic Satellites were successfully Launched on August 29 )

 

 

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