Watch this space.
After years of preparation, the world’s largest space event, IAC 2025 Sydney, came to an end last week – but not without breaking records and launching Australia into a new era of space collaboration.
More than 7,500 delegates from 99 countries participated in the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), which was held at the International Convention Centre Sydney, on the beautiful Darling Harbour.
The week-long Congress witnessed thousands of technical, inspiring, and futuristic presentations being delivered by diverse space experts. 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.
Highlights from IAC 2025
Highlights from IAC 2025
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
New global partnerships bringing the world together
- 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.
- 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: Igniting imaginations, showcasing talent
- 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: Space for thought
- 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: An unforgettable welcome
- 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: Aussie edition
- 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: Uniting space enthusiasts of all ages
- 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.
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