Australian Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price, on 9th February 2022, signed an amendment to the Australia-ESO Strategic Partnership Arrangement that will allow Australian industry and astronomy institutions to tender for contracts. Local companies will now bid for work under the ESO Technology Development Program.
The Technology Development Program offers approximately $1.5 million in competitive contracts every year to develop new astronomy technology for use by ESO, which also includes new types of detectors, advanced optical coatings, and new laser sources.
The Australian Government signed a 10-year Strategic Partnership with ESO in 2017, with a $129.2 million commitment. This Partnership enables Australia's astronomy community to maintain its global standing and access several leading-edge optical telescopes at ESO's La Silla Paranal Observatory in Chile.
When signing the amendment, Minister Price said that the Government's focus is on delivering great commercial opportunities for local businesses that will have the potential to extend beyond the astronomy sector. She also added that the Government is backing new opportunities for the local institutions and industries by helping them tender for new technology development contracts.
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