H. Res. 1052 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

November 13, 2018. 

Whereas the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Australia are treaty allies; 

Whereas United States and Australia defense cooperation extends back 100 years, to the Battle of Hamel in World 

War I; 

Whereas the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security 

Treaty, also referred to as the ANZUS Treaty, has 

formed the framework of the United States-Australia alliance since 1951; 

Whereas the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultation, also referred to as AUSMIN, has contributed to a 

deeper partnership between the two nations; 

Whereas the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) notes that, ‘‘The United States and Australia 

have been cooperating in civil space for more than 50 

years’’; 

Whereas the United States Apollo missions and subsequent 

space science and exploration conducted by the United 

States benefitted greatly from the partnership with our 

Australian allies; 
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•HRES 1052 EH 

Whereas Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the surface of the 

Moon were relayed to Houston through the Honeysuckle 

Creek site in Australia; 

Whereas NASA also notes that, ‘‘The Canberra complex is an 

integral component of NASA’s Deep Space Network 

(DSN), the world’s largest and most sensitive scientific 

telecommunications system’’; 

Whereas the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex 

(CDSCC) is one of NASA’s largest tracking and communication facilities outside the United States; 

Whereas, on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Australian Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey and Acting NASA 

Administrator Robert Lightfoot signed a 25-year agreement for continued cooperation on space cooperation, including on space tracking; 

Whereas the United States and Australian governments have 

jointly committed to expanding Space Situational Awareness (SSA); 

Whereas United States-Australia cooperation on SSA is critical to maximize defense capabilities, monitoring environmental changes, avoiding space congestion and collisions, 

and protecting against exploitation from the growing 

counter-space capabilities of our adversaries; 

Whereas, on September 24, 2017, the Government of Australia under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull committed 

to creating the Australian Space Agency, with operations 

beginning on July 1, 2018; and 

Whereas the Australian Space Agency commenced operations 

on July 1, 2018: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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•HRES 1052 EH 

(1) commends the Australian Government in constituting the Australian Space Agency; 

(2) recognizes the value in United States-Australia 

cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization, including on terrestrial research, commercial activities, and human and robotic space exploration; 

(3) supports international cooperation on space research, exploration, and utilization and other forms of 

space diplomacy as being in the national interest of the 

United States; 

(4) encourages the Department of State to support 

and facilitate international cooperation with Australia on 

space research, exploration, and utilization through diplomatic efforts, including through the Australia-United 

States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) forum and 

multilateral initiatives with Japan, Canada, the European Union, and other partners of both the United 

States and Australia; and 

(5) supports deeper cooperation with our Australian 

allies in contributing each country’s unique strengths 

and resources to mutual prosperity and security. 

Attest: 

Clerk.