About Us – Space Centre Australia
Space Centre Australia is an emerging leader in the global space industry with it’s Headquarters based in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Established in 2019 to facilitate the nation’s entry into the international space market, the organisation is committed to advancing space exploration, research, and technology. Leveraging its strategic location near the equator, Space Centre Australia is developing state-of-the-art launch facilities capable of supporting a wide range of missions, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), High Earth Orbit (HEO), and deep space exploration.
The company is focused on fostering innovation and collaboration, with a strong emphasis on international partnerships and environmental stewardship. Space Centre Australia’s future comprehensive facilities are designed to accommodate a diverse array of space missions, from satellite deployments to interplanetary exploration. With a mission to drive Australia’s space capabilities and contribute to global space exploration, Space Centre Australia is positioning to become a key player in the next frontier of the global space industry.

Executive Team
Non-Executive Group Chairman
Hon. Scott Morrison
30th Prime Minister of Australia
Hon. Scott Morrison served as 30th Prime Minister of Australia (2018-22), Treasurer (2015-18), Minister for Social Services (2014-15), Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2013-14) and a Member of the Australian Parliament (2007-24).
As Prime Minister Mr. Morrison led Australia’s world leading public health and economic response to COVID, was the architect of numerous international security and trade agreements, including the historic trilateral AUKUS defence agreement and was a founding member of the Quad Leader’s dialogues.
As Prime Minister Mr. Morrison also championed the development of Australia’s space sector. Key initiatives included establishment of the Australian Space Agency, development of Australia’s 10 year Civil Space Strategy, securing Australian space sector involvement in NASA’s “Moon to Mars” initiative as part of NASA’s Artemis mission, strengthened ties with other space-faring nations and agencies including the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan and the UK and funding the expansion of Ground infrastructure for space communication, with new facilities such as the Western Australia-based ground station supporting NASA’s Deep Space Network.
Mr. Morrison now serves as a Chair and strategic advisor to private sector boards and investors in defence, space, infrastructure, private equity, and funds management. He also serves on the strategic advisory boards of the International Democracy Union, the Center for a New American Security and the Hudson Institute China Center.
Mr. Morrison holds a Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours in Economic Geography from the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, where he graduated in 1990. Mr. Morrison is married to Jenny, they have two teenage daughters and live in Sydney, Australia.


Chief Executive Officer / Co-Founder
James Palmer, MEM, CompIEAust, EngExec
Mr. James Palmer is the visionary leader behind Space Centre Australia, with a mission to establish the company as one of the world’s top four interplanetary spaceport companies. He aims to position Space Centre Australia as a premier developer in the aerospace industry, providing large-scale launch solutions and services that foster international collaboration and drive innovation in the global market.
With over 25 years of experience in engineering, ICT, space, and aerospace, Mr. Palmer is at the forefront of advancing Space Safety and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards within the space sector. His passion for making space accessible to all is matched by his expertise in leading complex, high-value projects across some of the most challenging environments in Australia and around the world.
Mr. Palmer has a proven track record in managing large organizations, engineering departments, and high-performance ICT infrastructure developments. His strengths lie in team building, strategic planning, risk management, and delivering exceptional commercial results. As a Chartered Engineering Executive and Companion of the Institute of Engineers Australia, he is committed to excellence and innovation in every aspect of his work.
With over 15 years dedicated to space infrastructure development, Mr. Palmer has played a pivotal role in projects across Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. His experience spans satellite ground station development, launch operations, mission control, and orbital domain management. Currently, he is leading a $1.1 billion AUD infrastructure development program for Space Centre Australia, which is set to become the country’s first large-scale, multi-use spaceport designed to drive the advancement of the global space industry.
Executive Director / Co-Founder
Jane Palmer
As an Executive Director of Space Centre Australia, Jane has over 25 years experience as an ICT leader. Jane began her career in the UK for the Home Office. During this time, she gained extensive experience in big data, data centres and communications. Her experience in Australia is within the aerospace and defence sector, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and CASA. As Founder of Space Centre Australia UK Jane specialises in international business planning, corporate governance, global strategy for complex infrastructure development and sustainment. Jane sits on several boards and has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Information Technology from James Cook University.


Indigenous and Community Engagement Manager
Kuku Yalanji Man
Mr. Ray Rosendale
Mr. Ray Rosendale is a distinguished leader with over 26 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, where he honed his management and leadership skills across various challenging roles. His career highlights include serving as the Defence Indigenous Liaison Officer for Northern Australia and as the Strategic Advisor (Indigenous Affairs) to the Chief of Navy. In these capacities, Mr. Rosendale was instrumental in developing and managing programs that enhanced Indigenous engagement within the Defence Force.
With extensive experience in senior political and government liaison, Mr. Rosendale has been a key participant in the parliamentary exchange program and is well-regarded for his public speaking and media liaison abilities. His contributions to Indigenous development have been widely recognized, earning him the Conspicuous Service Medal in the 2015 Australia Day Honours List.
In addition to his military career, Mr. Rosendale has a strong academic background, holding a Bachelor of Human Services and currently completing an Honours degree in Social Work at CQUniversity. He has also served as a Community Development Officer at Cairns Regional Council and as a board member of the Interim Truth & Treaty Body, which is dedicated to establishing the Treaty and Truth-telling pathway for Queensland. Moreover, he volunteers as a Director at the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association, demonstrating his continued commitment to serving his community.
Initatives, Memberships and Associations
International Astronautical Federation
Space Centre Australia is a Proud Member of the IAF.
“A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity”
Founded in 1951, the International Astronautical Federation is the world’s leading space advocacy body with 513 Members from 77 countries, including all leading space agencies, companies, research institutions, universities, societies, associations, institutes and museums worldwide.
Following its motto “Connecting all Space People” and its theme “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity”, the Federation advances knowledge about space, supporting the development and application of space assets by promoting global cooperation.
As organizer of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC) – world’s premier global space event – and other thematic events, the IAF actively encourages the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes and supports the dissemination of scientific and technical information related to space.

International Spaceport Collaboration Initative
Since 2010, the space sector has experienced changes whose depth and breadth are unmatched by any area of human activity, with the possible exception of cyberspace. The tectonic scope of these changes has affected the space environment and every sector of space activity. Space capabilities and services are inextricably integrated into, and positively affect the lives of people around the world. Daily, millions of people use space to access bank accounts, purchase or order goods and services, refill their vehicles’ gas tanks, and know whether to dress for warm, cold, sunny, or stormy weather. Whether traveling to a new restaurant, accurately surveying land for new homes or schools, to precisely plant seeds for new crops, and when making phone calls, people everywhere rely on space-based positioning, navigation, and timing systems. Those same capabilities are pre-requisites for maintaining countries’ inherent right of self-defense.
Once almost exclusively dominated by governments’ programs and investments, the commercial space sector’s growth rate and technology innovation has and will continue to be the catalyst and engine to expand the scope and diversity of space activities. The commercial space sector has become equally important to democratic nations’ economic, homeland, and national security. In the 21st century, freedom of action in space has become as important as freedom of the seas in the 18th/19th centuries and unfettered air activities in the 20th century.

The Washington Compact
Space systems play an essential role in driving sustainability, strategic stability, economic growth, scientific discovery, and the overall betterment of humanity. As we enter an era of unprecedented space activity, decision-makers must engage in a sustained and multidisciplinary examination of the evolving landscape of space law and policy. It is imperative to explore how civil society can shape the future of space utilization to ensure it remains a shared and sustainable domain.
While the foundational framework of international space law provides a guiding roadmap for national security, civil, and commercial space endeavors, significant work remains at the national level to effectively implement the obligations outlined in United Nations space treaties. A critical component of this effort is the need for a transparent, uniform, simple, and predictable global framework that can support the expanding role of the private sector. Achieving this vision requires a bottom-up approach that values the insights and expertise of civil society, fostering collaboration and practical solutions that address the complexities of space operations.
Establishing the rule of law in space with urgency and clarity is paramount to ensuring that the next generation of space pioneers can thrive in a secure and predictable environment. As nations and industries transition into the new global space economy, there is a pressing need for an impartial and forward-thinking institution to comprehensively address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The Washington Compact represents a critical step in this journey, uniting stakeholders across the commercial space sector to promote responsible, safe, and sustainable space operations through shared norms and collaborative dialogue.
The Compact can be found here: The Washington Compact – Space Centre Australia
