In recent years, space has become a primary frontier for geopolitical strategy, defense partnerships, and technological innovation. Both Australia and South Korea have accelerated their national ambitions in the space sector, moving from tentative bilateral exchanges to robust, multi-layered cooperation.
This evolving relationship now spans satellite manufacturing, launch services, positioning systems, and joint defense initiatives. Growing strategic alignment not only reflects the changed security calculus in the Indo-Pacific but recognizes the need to develop resilient sovereign capabilities in a contested domain.
This article explores the drivers, dynamics, and future prospects of Australia–South Korea cooperation in space, grounded in recent government agreements, defense industry partnerships, and expert analysis, while showcasing how this relationship exemplifies next-generation space strategy for allied nations.
Strategic Rationale for Bilateral Space Cooperation
The Indo-Pacific faces mounting threats: North Korean missile provocations, growing Chinese space and missile capabilities, and the potential for crisis escalation. For Seoul, rapid deployment and renewal of surveillance assets especially in wartime is imperative. Australia, meanwhile, seeks to augment sovereignty in space surveillance, intelligence gathering, and secure communications as it modernizes its defense sector and responds to threats in its vast maritime approaches.
Both nations are classified as “new space powers.” Australia’s push for independent launch capacity and South Korea’s expansion in small satellite programs and orbital services form natural complements. Joint projects allow for rapid innovation cycles, skill building, and sovereign manufacturing capability thereby reducing dependence on third-country providers in an era of supply-chain insecurity and dual-use technology competition.
Australia’s geographic position close to the equator offers optimal launch conditions for orbital vehicles, lowering costs per kilogram and enabling eastward launches with greater efficiency. Its sparse population means launches are safer, compared to crowded Asian territories. For South Korea, whose territory is surrounded by geopolitical rivals, launching from Australia is a strategic imperative.
Expanding Defense and Commercial Partnerships
In September 2024, Hanwha Defence Australia, Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea), and Gilmour Space Technologies (Australia) signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster innovation and expand cooperation in aerospace and defense. This partnership leverages Hanwha’s expertise in space and defense programs and Gilmour’s sovereign launch vehicle (Eris rocket), Queensland-based orbital launch facilities, and advanced satellite structures.
Immediate goals include joint research, development, and manufacturing across the two countries, co-development of integrated launch technologies, and collaborative launches of South Korean payloads from Australian territory. The agreement also aims to address regulatory, legal, and export challenges, positioning the parties as leaders in Indo-Pacific space services.
South Korean firm INNOSPACE signed a multi-year contract with Australia’s Equatorial Launch Australia for orbital launches from the Arnhem Space Centre, with inaugural launches scheduled for early 2025. This cements Australia’s place as a regional launch provider and signals Korean industry’s intent to use Australian territory for commercial and defense-related satellite deployments.
Beyond individual companies, there is a clear trajectory toward government-to-government agreements and broader commercial synergies. The Australian Space Agency and South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT signed an MoU in December 2021 covering Earth observation, robotics, and space manufacturing—laying the groundwork for current cooperation. Dialogue forums, such as the inaugural Space Policy Dialogue in July 2022, are facilitating policy alignment and industry connection.
Joint R&D: Small Satellites and Technological Innovation
A central pillar of cooperation is in small satellite development. According to analysis from ASPI and South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Projects Administration (DAPA), joint research and manufacturing can build foundational skills and infrastructure in a sector critical for resilience against counterspace threats and robust civil and defense use cases. Small satellites under 100kg are easier to deploy in constellations, harder for adversaries to neutralize, and allow for rapid replacement if lost.
South Korea’s focus is on surveillance of North Korean activity, while Australia needs robust Earth observation assets to support environmental monitoring, disaster response, and military ISR. Joint Australian–Korean satellite constellations would allow data sharing, capacity building, and mutual deterrence and resilience, supporting both countries’ sovereign ambitions.
A second priority is alignment in Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) infrastructure. South Korea’s planned Korean Position System (KPS) and Augmentation Satellite System (KASS) can be supported by ground stations in Australia—similar to existing hosting arrangements for Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. This collaborative arrangement would:
- Enhance accuracy and reliability of navigation services.
- Diversify and harden regional PNT infrastructure against interference.
- Complement Australia’s Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), used by both Australia and New Zealand.
Streamlining Launch Capabilities and Regulatory Frameworks
Australia’s emergence as a regional launch provider is underlined by new sites in the Northern Territory, Queensland (Bowen and Cape York), South Australia (Woomera), and potential expansion to other strategic locations. These are attractive for South Korean launches for reasons of proximity, safety, and technical efficiency. Regulatory authorities in both countries are working to streamline launch permits, export licenses, and payment processes to accelerate collaborative launches.
The next logical step, as suggested by ASPI and Korean analysts, is negotiation of an agreement for a permanent Korean-operated launch site in Australia. Not only would this support commercial and defense launches, but it would also benefit local economies, create jobs, and drive the emergence of an Indo-Pacific launch hub for allied nations.
Space Situational Awareness and Traffic Management
Bilateral cooperation is also expanding into space situational awareness (SSA) and traffic management which are increasingly essential as space becomes an increasingly contested and congested domain. Collaborating on SSA will improve:
- Monitoring and collision avoidance for satellite assets.
- Detection and attribution of hostile space activities.
- Strategic deterrence and resilience through real-time data sharing.
Such cooperation is a direct response to the growing threat landscape, where counterspace operations and physical or cyber risks to satellites are now an operational reality for space-faring defense partners.
Strategic Implications
Australia and South Korea are now positioned as proactive “middle powers,” demonstrating that a flexible, agile alliance can shape regional security environments and technological innovation.
The Australia–South Korea partnership is a template for how Indo-Pacific allies can develop dual-use capabilities, enhance deterrence, and drive economic growth via space cooperation. It also reflects a broader trend in multipolar competition, where regional resilience is built not only through hard power but through control of critical infrastructure, supply chains, and data both on Earth and in orbit.
Australia–South Korea space cooperation stands at a pivotal juncture, propelled by defense needs, technological synergy, and shared economic interests. The recent wave of government agreements, commercial MoUs, and expert-driven recommendations highlight a deepening strategic partnership. With clear progress on joint launches, satellite development, PNT infrastructure, and space awareness, the two countries are well placed to shape the Indo-Pacific space domain for decades to come.
As new projects for scientific, defense, and commercial purposes continue to emerge, the partnership will not only serve immediate national interests but reinforce long-term stability, technological sovereignty, and innovation in the broader region.
Sources Consulted for this Article:
Malcolm Davis, “Strengthening Australia’s space cooperation with South Korea,” The ASPI Strategist, April 16, 2025.
Max Blenken, “South Korea seeks closer ties,” Australian Defence Magazine, August 20, 2025.
Hanbyeol Sohn, “A Strategic Turning Point for Australia-South Korea Defense Cooperation,” The Diplomat, August 19, 2025.
MoU between Australia and the Republic of Korea – Australian Space Agency
https://www.space.gov.au/mou-between-australia-and-the-republic-of-korea
“Australia and South Korea Enhance Space Cooperation,” Confer.com.au, April 16, 2025.
Hanwha Defence Australia, Hanwha Aerospace and Gilmour Space sign MOU