With Australia still being completely reliant on data from foreign-owned satellites, investing in space science is essential to protecting our nation’s interests.

Satellites that are used for weather forecasting, resource and water management and disaster responses are posing a significant risk because there not Australian owned.

Australian Academy of Science Committee on Space and Radio Science Chairman Professor Fred Menk told Deborah Knight the risks must be addressed over the next decade.

“We don’t have any complete control of our own satellites.

“We need to monitor our environment more carefully if we want to meet our own needs.”

Professor Menk wants the government to help fund satellites in order to improve Australian space science.

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