About IAC 2025
The 76th edition of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) was held in Sydney from 29 September to 3 October 2025 and it launched Australia into a new era of space collaboration.
IAC 2025 was hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia and co-hosted by the Australian Space Agency and New South Wales Government.
The theme was ‘Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth’. The Congress also highlighted Australia’s commitment to learning from indigenous knowledge and collaborating with First Nations communities on the deployment and use of space technologies.
Highlights from IAC 2025
The nation held a showstopping space event for the world – from expanding international partnerships to new industry announcement and inspiring the next generation through space.
The week-long Congress welcomed over 7,500 delegates from 99 countries and witnessed thousands of technical, inspiring, and futuristic presentations being delivered by diverse space experts.
Held at the International Convention Centre Sydney, on the beautiful Darling Harbour, there were over 450 exhibitors from around the globe and the nation, who showcased their skills and innovation across 19,000 square metres (sqm) of the venue's trade show floor.
On Day 5, Australia showed us what they really think about space with more than 19,500 space enthusiasts of all ages attending the Congress' free Space Day on Friday 3 October.
We have come a long way since the last time we hosted IAC.
Australia is leading space science research and developing new on-orbit capabilities that enhance the way we live and work. We have our vast outback and expansive coastlines that makes us a prime destination for space launches and returns.
Today, Australia looks to the future not discussing what could be – or sharing plans and hypotheticals – we forge ahead as a proud spacefaring nation with much to offer our international partners.
~ Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo
International partnerships
- At IAC 2025, the Australian Government announced a mandate to begin negotiations on a Cooperative Agreement between the European Space Agency and Australia. The Agreement will establish a formal mechanism for new and exciting opportunities between Europe and Australia’s space sectors.
- A treaty-level Space Framework Agreement between Australia and the United States was signed – opening the door to new opportunities for government, businesses and researchers to collaborate on joint projects with NASA and other American partners.
- An updated UK-Australia Space Bridge Arrangement was signed, as well as several other agreements with a range of international partners including a new Memorandum of Understanding and Statement of Intent with the Korea Aerospace Administration.
- A Pacific delegation attended the Congress, including Ministerial representation from Cook Islands and Solomon Islands.
- The Agency's Stand featured a 4.6-billion-year-old sample from asteroid Ryugu. In December 2020, Australia and Japan collaborated to successfully return samples from Ryugu to Woomera in South Australia.
Australia Zone
- The Exhibition Hall featured a 1,200 sqm Australia Zone, which was anchored by the Australian Space Agency’s 216sqm stand.
- The Zone included stands from seven states and territories, as well as CSIRO, and featured close to 150 local exhibitors.
- The Australian Space Agency's Stand hosted a range of events with various partners, including the announcement of another 20 planned space returns by Varda Space Industries to Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range in regional South Australia.
Plenaries and presentations
- There were more than 400 presentations by Australian authors across IAC 2025, including several high-profile plenaries. It was the second highest number of submissions.
- Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo participated in the Heads of Agencies plenary on the opening day, as well as a plenary on sustainability alongside European Space Agency Director General Joseph Aschbacher. He also led the second ever Global Space Leaders’ Summit with close to 50 other heads of agencies from around the world.
- The Host Nation plenary was titled “Beyond integration: Building Earth-Sky Knowledge Infrastructure for Co-discovery in Space and Sustainability.” It was co-developed by five Indigenous Australian leaders with the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand space agencies. The plenary explored how Indigenous perspectives can inform sustainable space practices and foster co-discovery between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science.
Opening ceremony
- The Congress' opening ceremony featured a powerful Welcome to Country and a series of performances by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. They were coordinated and choreographed by Creative Director Beau Dean Riley-Smith from the acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre. The performances highlighted indigenous connection to Land, Sea and Sky, as the world’s oldest astronomers.
- The opening ceremony at IAC 2025 also profiled key moments in Australia’s modern space history, as well as the people involved – from a tracker who broadcast the first footsteps on the Moon to people involved in building our first satellites in the 1960s.
- The Governor General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC and New South Wales Government Premier Chris Minns had addressed the audience.
Astronaut Chapter
- Around 20 astronauts from around the world participated in a range of iconic Aussie activities at IAC 2025 curated by the Australian Space Agency to inspire and educate the local community.
- Led by Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, the group climbed the Harbour Bridge, did surf lifesaving at South Curl Curl, dived at Shelly Beach, and visited native animals at the Zoo.
- The group also visited Sydney Children’s Hospital and UTS Tech Labs, as well as engaged with Australian human spaceflight companies, researchers, and First Nations communities.
Space Day powered by LEGO®Play
- More than 19,500 people attended a free public day on Friday 3 October as part of IAC 2025, in line with the Australian Space Agency’s efforts to generate a next generation STEM workforce.
- There were hands-on activations from LEGO®; Australian Space Agency and Roo-ver Mission; Powerhouse Museum; and NSW Department of Education, as well as astronaut encounters and signings.
- Families were also able to explore the Exhibition Hall, filled with real-life space technology – including many with tickets to the Moon, models of a future commercial replacement for the International Space Station and even a capsule that had returned from space to the South Australian outback.
Community engagement
- The Agency’s 10-metre inflatable astronaut ‘Astro’ landed in Martin Place for the week, educating thousands of visitors in the heart of Sydney’s CBD about the ways space improves life on Earth.
- The same message was also carried on a 2-metre cubed LED Storybox outside Barangaroo House for the entire week.
- The Seymour Centre was a sell-out on Thursday 2 October for an Astronaut Forum delivered in partnership with Powerhouse Museum for Sydney Science Festival.
- The IAC 2025 Welcome Reception Street Party in Kensington Street and Spice Alley in Chippendale saw thousands of delegates enjoy the vibrancy of Sydney’s nightlife.
- Dozens of restaurants, bars and cultural venues were also activated across Sydney in partnership the Office of the 24-hour Economy Commissioner.
FAQs
Know everything you need to know about IAC 2025 though our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
The International Astronautical Federation was the organiser of IAC 2025.
This year will mark the 76th edition of the event, which began in 1950.
Space Industry Association of Australia was the host of IAC 2025.
The Australian Space Agency and New South Wales Government were co-hosts of the event.
The 76th edition of IAC was be held in Sydney from 29 September to 3 October, 2025.
Over 7,000 delegates from 99 nations attended IAC 2025 in Sydney.
This prestigious event brings together the world's space community to access the latest advancements and trends, academic works, industry connections and partnership opportunities.
Yes, twice before. IAC 1998 was held in Melbourne and IAC 2017 was held in Adelaide.
The establishment of the Australian Space Agency was announced at the 68th edition in Adelaide.
The Agency commenced its operations on 1 July 2018.
Yes, IAC 2025 welcomed space enthusiasts of all ages, interests, and backgrounds.
The Congress held a free Public Day for visitors on Friday 3 October 2025. It saw over 19,500 space enthusiasts attended the event of which 11,000 were children.
The theme of IAC 2025 was ‘Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth’.
It covered space-based application for earth; sustainable space activities; and sustaining life off earth.
Visit IAC2025.org for more details.
The venue for the Congress was the International Convention Centre Sydney, on the beautiful Darling Harbour.
Yes, visitors got up close with real astronauts, heard their stories, and take home a memory of the stars.
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