The Western Australian (WA) government has committed $6.5 million (US$4.9 million) in the upcoming State Budget to further develop the state’s ambitious space program. WA Science Minister Roger Cook said in a release on Thursday that as part of “Diversify WA”, the McGowan government’s economic development framework, space is one of the nine sectors targeted. “Space is just one of the many exciting industries taking off in WA, and it’s important that the WA Government continues to support local space research,” he said. “This announcement is not just a boost in funding but a boost in confidence about WA’s role in the global space sector.” This funding will go towards two major space initiatives—Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) and Curtin University’s Binar Space Program. AROSE, whose headquarters are in Perth, is a not-for-profit industry-led organisation with a vision to cement Australia as the trusted leader in remote …