The Australian Defence Force will establish a space division to be headquartered in Canberra as early as next year.
Part of the Royal Australian Air Force, Space Division will include several divisions of Defence with the aim of increasing the nation's space capabilities.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld said access to space was critical to enabling Defence's multi-domain operations, including weather, navigation, access to geospatial information and sharing information across the world.
Air Marshal Hupfield said Defence required capabilities contributing to outcomes in space as a contested domain.
"However this does not mean that Defence encourages the militarisation of space," she said.
Air Marshal Hupfield said the government's $7 billion investment in space exploration over the next decade was a significant contribution.
As the space domain lead, Air Marshal Hupfield will conduct a review of how space capabilities are currently managed, acquired and operated.
Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts will be the inaugural head of Defence Space Division.
The aerospace engineer said it was a dream come true.
"To reach for the stars and actually get there is a phenomenal feeling," Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said.
