Australia looks set to commence a bigger push into the space industry, and former CSIRO boss Dr Megan Clark will be the woman to lead it.

The ABC reports that the Turnbull Government will outline a $50 million ‘seed funding’ investment to establish an Australian space agency during next week’s Budget, to help take a piece of the growing global space industry worth an estimated $420 billion a year.

The ABC further reports that Dr Clarke will lead the agency for its first year, having just completed a government review of the space sector.

Dr Clark is a geologist with a PhD in economic geology. She led BHP Billiton’s global efforts in health, safety, environment and community engagement prior to becoming Chief Executive of CSIRO in November 2014.

She’s a Principal in the Global Research Alliance which brings together nine global applied research peers to support inclusive innovation for the world’s most disadvantaged.

Dr Clark’s also previously served as Commissioner of the International Commission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change, among numerous other titles and positions.