Media headlines in recent months have grimly declared news such as …
- Majority of Govt’s $231m tech institute funded through research funding cuts
- Fewer Marsden Fund grants after government cuts.
- Science sector sounds alarm over funding shake-up
- Majority of Govt’s $231m tech institute funded through research funding cuts
- Science sector merged but funding gaps remain
But will some science funding diverted from ag/hort research finish up in a black hole?
That would be stretching it – but space research is fashionable these days and we have a Minister of Space eager to fire things up with Government help.
Moreover, agriculture will be a beneficiary of the latest projects given Government approval.
The Beehive has announced
- Govt funding for trans-Tasman space projects
Three innovative trans-Tasman space projects designed to enhance maritime awareness, improve agricultural planning and secure satellite communications have secured up to $5.3 million in government funding.
“I am delighted to announce second-stage funding for three innovative, collaborative projects, all of which demonstrated clear plans for real-world impact in earlier feasibility studies,” Space Minister Judith Collins says.
“By building advanced space capabilities, creating new commercial opportunities and strengthening international competitiveness, these projects will boost our economies, bring New Zealand and Australia closer together and advance the Space and Advanced Aviation Strategy goal of accelerating aerospace innovation.”
Funded through the Catalyst Fund, which fosters international science and innovation partnerships for New Zealand’s benefit, the projects are:
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- Satellite Sensing in Agricultural Practices: Led by the University of Canterbury (NZ) and the University of Newcastle (Australia), this global satellite-based soil moisture monitoring system aims to boost water efficiency and drought resilience for farmers.
- Monitoring the Southern Indo-Pacific from Space – The Takehē Mission: Led by Restore Lab Ltd (NZ) and SmartSat CRC (Australia), this satellite mission will deliver advanced maritime domain awareness across the Indo-Pacific.
- Governance and Management of a Network of Free-Space Optical Communication Nodes: Led by the University of Auckland (NZ) and the University of South Australia (Australia), this project seeks to establish a trans-Tasman optical communications network for high-speed satellite data transfer.
The trans-Tasman projects are the result of an agreement between the New Zealand Space Agency and Australia’s SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (SmartSat CRC) to collaborate on research projects that advance space science, leading to real world benefits.
New Zealand’s investment is matched by support from Australia.
Source: NZ Government
