An Overview of Recent Australian Commitments to Space Situational Awareness from a Systems Analysis Perspective

摘要

Over the last five years Australia has moved from a position of no national interest or commitment to SSA to articulation of a national policy that commits the country to developing SSA capabilities, investment approaching A$100 million dollars in SSA technology and systems, and a significant expansion of the SSA R&D base. As might be expected this has not been a totally smooth or pain-free process: this paper will review these developments and what lessons can be drawn from it to inform continued developments. In particular the paper will focus on a review of the installation and development of new surveillance of space sensors in Australia, and on the surveillance systems analysis done in support of these activities. The main finding is that for much of this time the analysis has lagged initiatives and choices rather than leading them: its primary role has been to educate or inform those faced with having to make decisions on externally defined issues or initiatives, as opposed to helping frame issues or initiatives de novo. The situation is changing, however: knowledge of SSA is accumulating within defence, government and the wider R&D community in Australia, and the commitments of organisations to SSA operations and to significantly expanded R&D programs presents the opportunity to use systems analysis to seed and shape, as opposed to just help play catch-up.