Last week, Equatorial Launch Australia sent the third and final NASA rocket into space from Australia’s Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory. The mission marked the first successful suborbital rocket launch from an Australian commercial centre, and the first commercial launch ever by NASA outside of the United States. ASPI’s resident space wonks, Bec Shrimpton and Malcolm Davis, discuss the significance of this milestone, what it means for the Australian space industry, and how the Australian government can support the industry’s development into an international and national asset.

The Lowy Institute recently released its annual poll, which captures Australian views of the world and current global issues, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and climate change. ASPI’s Fergus Ryan speaks to the author of the report on the 2022 poll ^[1], Natasha Kassam, about the notable shifts in this year’s poll and what surprised her in the polling results.

China’s recent security agreement with Solomon Islands enables Beijing to send police and military forces to the Pacific nation. ASPI’s John Coyne speaks to senior fellow Vern White about the risks associated with China playing a bigger role in the region’s policing, and the important role Australia and its partners play in policing in the Pacific.