Australia’s role in the Apollo 11 moon landing will now be preserved in history, with the only footage outside of the United States presented to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

The footage is one of just three copies in the world and was passed from the CSIRO to the Film and Sound Archive at Parliament House today, ahead of this month’s 50th anniversary.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the footage was given to the CSIRO by NASA in recognition of Australia’s contribution to the moon landing and the ongoing collaboration in space science between Australia and the United States.

“Australia played an essential role in the success of the Apollo 11 mission 50 years ago and still today CSIRO supports NASA’s work, including managing the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.

“The moon landing inspired millions of people and the Apollo 11 mission also had significant practical effects. It really marked the beginning of the digital age, driving dramatic advances in computing and communications.

“Today, we continue to build on that work through the CSIRO and the Australian Space Agency, which the Coalition Government established last year to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and create up to 20,000 new jobs by 2030.”

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher, who accepted the footage from Minister Andrews on behalf of the Film and Sound Archive, said the moon landing forever symbolised human capacity to make the “giant leap” into the future. 

“This footage is a perpetual reminder of what human ingenuity can achieve,” Minister Fletcher said. “The Apollo 11 moon landing inspired millions of people and helped to drive dramatic advances in computing and communications.

“The footage of this momentous event will now be preserved for posterity, along with other major moments in Australian and world history, at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.”

Media contact: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070

                          Minister Fletcher's office 02 6277 7480