Building Australian network of satellites would reduce reliance on foreign data, scientists say

Australia currently relies on Japanese geostationary satellites for weather information, as well as data from US and European Space Agency satellites. Photograph: Planet Labs Inc./AFP/Getty Images

Australia should build its own network of Earth observation satellites to reduce reliance on foreign satellite data that could be compromised by environmental or geopolitical stressors, scientists say.

The recommendation is included in a national 10-year plan for Australian space science, launched on Thursday by the Australian Academy of Science.