Until now, space has been a step too far for the Australian government, but next week's gathering of international space leaders in Adelaide could be a turning point.

China is attempting to exert psychological pressure on Vietnam at a time when Vietnam is preoccupied. However, China is not only testing Vietnam, but the region - and even the global community - as a whole.

While US endeavours to maintain its regional primacy and its military continues to shore up security relationships with allies and partners, Australia may now be the preferred initiator of any moves toward low-level trilateral discussions that include Indonesia.