Space-enabled services

From satellite communications and satellite navigation to Earth observation and remote sensing, the world is increasingly relying on space-enabled services.

In Queensland, the space-enabled services sub-sector is primarily being driven by Earth observation and satellite navigation.

Satellite communications – the US$168 billion Satcom market is shifting from video to data-centric services.

Satellite navigation – the US$126 billion Satnav market has been driven by government-funded systems, which have opened up civilian and commercial activities around the world.

Earth observation – the US$6 billion Earth observation market has historically been dominated by government services. This is changing as commercial opportunities emerge.

Observing Earth from Queensland

Queensland is a world-leader in the field of Earth observation.

The state’s Earth observation sub-sector is the largest in the country and has created a unique cluster through long-term investment in research.

Earth and marine observation has enormous economic benefits to other industries. The value of Earth and marine observation to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum economies is estimated at US$372 billion.

With Queensland’s proximity to APEC nations and its role as Australia’s leader in Earth observation, its Earth observation ecosystem is positioned to expand through both domestic and international uptake of its products and services. This growth will complement emerging capabilities in Queensland’s ground system sub-sector through increased availability of data.

Space-enabled supply chain opportunities

Demand for space-enabled services drives demand throughout the rest of the space supply chain such as launch and satellite-building programs. More demand for data means more demand for satellites and the capability to build, launch and control them.

Space-enabled services have the potential to grow Queensland’s economy in two ways:

• direct benefits and efficiency gains to consumer industries – particularly in industries that currently have a low awareness of space-enabled services but an untapped potential for growth
• increased demand in the greater space supply chain – by increasing the demand to manufacture, launch and operate space systems to capture data.