The establishment of the Australian Space Agency has been commended in a resolution introduced into the United States House of Representatives.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, welcomed the resolution and said the Space Agency will help drive the growth of Australia’s space industry, create new opportunities for businesses and create jobs.

“The resolution introduced to the US House of Representatives recognises the long history and partnership Australia and the United States share in space,” Minister Andrews said.

“It recognises both this history and the value of ongoing cooperation between our two countries.”

Read: The Australian Space Agency lifts off

The resolution commends the Australian Government in constituting the Australian Space Agency and recognises the value in United States-Australia cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilisation, including on terrestrial research, commercial activities, and human and robotic space exploration.

The resolution also supports deeper cooperation between the US and Australia in contributing each country’s unique strengths and resources to mutual prosperity and security.

Minister Andrews told Parliament the Australian Space Agency will help the space sector to create 20,000 new jobs, with opportunities for businesses and new technology to support our farmers, logistics, transport and mining companies.

“The Space Agency will inspire young people to shoot for the stars,” Minister Andrews said.

“Excitingly, the Australian Space Agency will inspire our young people – not just to dream of becoming an astronaut – but to appreciate the importance of studying STEM and understanding the opportunities it can lead to.

Read: A new force in space

The Australian Space Agency kicked off in July, having set as its goal to triple the size of Australia’s space industry to $10-12 billion per year by 2030, from the estimated $3.94 billion in the 2015–2016 financial year.

In its response to the review of Australia’s space industry capability, the federal government announced in May that it will invest $41 million to establish the Australian Space Agency, and another $260 million to develop advanced core satellite infrastructure and technologies in Australia.

“In addition to creating the Space Agency, in the 2018-19 Budget we invested $260 million to grow our world-leading satellite infrastructure.

“This investment will both help Australian businesses create new technologies – creating export and job opportunities – and benefit other Australian companies and industries,” Minister Andrews said.