Australian government to establish national space agency

The Australian government says it will establish a national space agency to grow its space industry.

The nation is one of the developed countries in the world without a space agency.

Acting industry minister Michaelia cash said it was crucial that Australia capitalized on the rapid growth of the global space industry.

The decision follows a domestic industry review which had called for a dedicated body to be established.

The government is expected to announce further details at the international astronautically congress in Adelaide this week.

The conference will be attended by thousands of global space experts, including the heads of other national agencies and private companies.