A year after being advised to lift its game, Australia is making a leap forward in the field of space science, the federal government says.
It has thrown $48.6 million at the problem, establishing a space science program and a space policy unit, and plans to set up a special space council bringing together top experts in the sector.
The shift comes after a senate committee's report a year ago which found Australia was lagging well behind other countries in space science.
It said Australia was the only OECD country without a national space agency and missing countless opportunities in a field driven by innovation and technology.
Science Minister Kim Carr says a key change will come with the establishment of a Space Industry Innovation Council to oversee the improvement of the sector as a whole.
"The council will evaluate Australia's current civil space activities, identify strengths and weaknesses, assess risks, and propose strategic priorities," Senator Carr said on Thursday.
"The focus will be on earth observation, satellite communications and navigation."
Links to defence and security will also be a consideration.
Senator Carr, recommended by the senate committee to chair the council, said he would pick its members shortly.
Australia will look to its friends to boost the sector, having already established close links with several international space agencies.
Senator Carr has acquired the domain www.space.gov.au to improve the visibility of space-related science in Australia.
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