Moon to Mars Trailblazer Stage 1

Overview

The $150 million Australian Moon to Mars Initiative (the initiative) supports Australian businesses and researchers to join NASA’s inspirational endeavour to go forward to the Moon and then go on to Mars. Investment focuses in Australia over a five-year period, commencing in 2020-21. The initiative forms an important element of the Advancing Space: Australian Civil Space Strategy- external site 2019-2028. It primarily addresses the National and International pillars: to open doors for Australian businesses and researchers to access international space supply chains create jobs in Australia support the growth of industries across the economy through the development and application of space technologies. Through this, Australian organisations will join with NASA and other international partners to bring Australian capabilities to space, the Moon, Mars and beyond. The Trailblazer program is a major project supporting NASA’s activities to return to the Moon and on to Mars. The objectives of the Trailblazer program are: develop foundation services rover solutions, capable of collecting lunar regolith and delivering it to a NASA science in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU) facility demonstrate the ability for Australian capability to support international missions inspire the Australian public an Australian asset will have been operated on the Moon improved collaboration with international space agencies including NASA stimulated investment in the foundation services capability key technologies are spun out to develop other sectors of the Australian economy growth in Australian space capability increased interest in STEM and related highly skilled careers galvanisation of national pride in Australia’s space activities increased community engagement in space activities.