Australia Cancels $7 Billion Satellite Project Amid Evolving Space Threats

The Australian government shifts focus to a resilient multi-orbit satellite system due to advancements in space technology and emerging threats.

Australia's Department of Defence has canceled the JP9102 satellite program with Lockheed Martin, initially planned to establish sovereign military communication capabilities.
The decision reflects a strategic pivot towards multi-orbit satellite systems, which are considered more resilient and cost-effective in the face of new technologies capable of disabling geostationary satellites.
Defence Minister Richard Marles highlighted the need for a distributed satellite network, drawing parallels with the use of Starlink in Ukraine for secure communications.
The cancellation has drawn criticism from the Space Industry Association of Australia, citing lost opportunities for high-tech job creation and local industry development.
The Australian government plans to allocate between A$9-12 billion for future space capabilities, emphasizing the need to adapt to rapidly changing space technology landscapes.