From classrooms to communities.

In 2025, the Australian Space Agency delivered a range of classroom-ready activities, collaborative workshops, and interactive public exhibits designed to spark STEM and space curiosities. 

The Agency's Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide played a pivotal role in our community engagement activities. 

It's been an inspiring year filled with...

‣ Unique experiences at our Discovery Centre.

‣ Resources and programs educating the next generation.

‣ Activities and engagements bringing space to Australia. 

‣ Our Aussie astronaut inspiring the nation.

It's been a privilege to travel across the breadth of our country this past year, and to learn first-hand that young people are dreaming of the stars. 

Talent is everywhere, and aspirations can be too, if we foster confidence and ability to strive. 

~ Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg

Launching from the Australian Space Discovery Centre

The Agency is the heart of space in Australia and this year we continued to create exciting opportunities for school children to explore our nation's role in space, both in-centre and through our online programs.

Key highlights from the past year:

  • Over 49,000 guests visited the Discovery Centre in Adelaide, including specials visits by the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC and other dignitaries from around Australia and the world.
  • We held 286 in-centre Schools in Space sessions.
  • More than 2,000 students participated in our Schools in Space online sessions.
  • This year we've welcomed some exciting new exhibits and showcases to the Discovery Centre, including an asteroid sample.
  • Serving up a sweet taste of space — over 1,000 astronaut ice creams were sold. 
Expand Governor-General of Australia with Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg and school students at the Australian Space Discovery Centre

Governor-General of Australia Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC along with Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg and school students visiting the Australian Space Discovery Centre as part of their in-centre Schools in Space session

The Governor-General also visited the Agency's headquarters and met with companies driving Australia’s progress in AI, aerospace, cyber, and quantum technology.

Expand Minister for Science the Hon Senator Tim Ayres along with Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo at a space debris exhibit at the Australian Space Discovery Centre

Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science the Hon Senator Tim Ayres along with Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo. 

This photo was taken in front of one of the most popular interactive exhibits at the Discovery Centre that puts the spotlight on space debris.

Visit our webpage to understand how Australia manages the risk posed by re-entering space debris, and the practical steps to take should space debris be found in Australia.

Expand Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard along with Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg

The Honourable Julia Gillard AC along with Katherine Bennell-Pegg at the Discovery Centre after recording her latest podcast episode with the Australian astronaut.

Visit the website to listen to this episode.

Expand A group of people

The Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo and Dr Fujimoto at the Discovery Centre.

Her Excellency unveiled an asteroid sample from the Hayabusa2 mission that will help to unravel some of the mysteries of our Solar System.

Visit our webpage to learn more about how Australia and Japan collaborated to successfully return samples from Ryugu to Woomera in South Australia. 

Expand Space has the answers exhibitions

Our interactive 'Space has the Answers' exhibit, helps visitors find out about the satellites that are orbiting Earth and the ways in which they help protect our planet. 

Expand A view of a space-themed mural on a building

A major new mural, titled Shy Sky, was unveiled this year by the Agency at Lot Fourteen

The three-storey high artwork communicates the critical role space plays to everyday life on Earth, promote STEM and inspire the next generation.

Visit our webpage to learn more about this artwork and the artist Laura Wills.

Educating the next generation

Across the year and across the country, the Agency supported more than 15 collaborative education outreach activities showcasing how space can help solve some of our greatest challenges. To make learning even more accessible, our Discovery Centre released new resources and activities almost every month, in some cases, making them available through your local libraries.

Key highlights from the past year:

Expand Mission Space, new educational program delivered by Scitech and powered by the Australian Space Agency

Mission: SPACE, delivered by Scitech and powered by the Agency, will shape the imaginations and capabilities of the next generation.  

Visit our webpage to learn more about Scitech and the opportunities this program offers. 

Expand A group of people

As part of Monash University's National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), eight First Nations STEM scholars experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Visit our webpage to learn more about NISA, which is supported by the Agency and CSIRO. 

Expand A group of student at the National Finals for the Andy Thomas Space Foundation’s Kids in Space program.

Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg along with students from St Joseph’s School Waroona at the national Kids in Space finals. 

This groundbreaking initiative by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation and delivered by Makers Empire, aims to inspire space-themed STEM learning and design thinking among the next generation.

Visit our webpage to learn more about the seven school teams who gathered at the Discovery Centre to pitch their space-inspired solutions.

Expand Headshots of two students Kaila Elias and Hayley Yousef

Australian school students Hayley Yousef and Kaila Elias will see their microgravity hypothesis tested by a Japanese astronaut as part of the latest edition of the Asian Try Zero-G competition.

The competition is locally organised by One Giant Leap Australia.

Visit our webpage to learn more about this unique opportunity.

Expand Animation of an astronaut

To mark National Science Week 2025, a series downloadable resources were created by the Agency and delivered by the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation

They are designed to keep young minds engaged and inspired even during hospital visits. 

Visit our webpage to learn more this collaboration that celebrates science, innovation, and discovery.

Expand Aussie astro katherine-benell-pegg

The Space Nova Series 2 Education Resource supports teachers to engage Years 3 to 6 students in learning across Science, English, Technologies and The Arts. 

The resource features a unique interview with Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who shares her training experiences, career pathway and insights into space science. 

Visit Australian Children's Television Foundation's website for more details about this three-part resource.

Bringing space to Australia

The Agency led and supported a suite of space-themed experiences throughout the year to unite space enthusiasts of all ages. 

Key highlights from the past year:

  • Avalon Airshow saw thousands of aviation and space enthusiasts come to Avalon Airport in Victoria, where the Australian Space Agency and national space sector showcase its unique, cutting-edge technologies and engaged with the general public on the benefits of space and STEM careers.
  • Science Alive was one of the largest interactive science exhibitions in Australia, we met several future STEM and space stars. This included a 10-year-old who stumped us with this question "How many flags are on the Moon?"
  • National Science Week 2025 offered a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to engage with science in a fun and meaningful way, with the Australian Space Discovery Centre hosting several events across the week.
  • Through a series of engagements and events at Osaka World Expo, the Agency along with other visiting delegations from Questacon, CSIRO and Australia’s Chief Scientist showcased our nation's expertise in space, science communications, research, robotics and AI technologies.
  • Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg was also in Japan — sharing Australia’s space story with thousands of visitors at World Expo, and highlighted Australia's future ambitions to explore further.
  • At the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney, 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.
Expand Roo-ver, Australian Moon rover.

At this year's Avalon Airshow visitors followed a pink and purple nebula to find the Agency's stand and some exciting activities. 

Picture here is the Australian Moon rover, Roo-ver. 

Expand Digital poster for Camp Australia event

As part of this year's National Science Week, the country’s annual celebration of science and technology, the Agency along with its partners organised four special events.  

This included Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg collaborating with Camp Australia and Scitech delivered Mission: Space program.

The theme for this year's Science Week is 'Decoding the Universe.'

Expand An exhibition room

The visitor experience at the Australian Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

The Agency's participation at World Expo 2025 forms part of the broader Australian Pavilion theme “Chasing the Sun,” which showcased national strengths across space, health, science, the arts, and clean energy. 

Visit our webpage to learn more about the Agency delegation that visited Japan to promote the Australia's space sector and deepened space cooperation with Japan.

Expand katherine-benell-pegg at Science Alive 2025

Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg at Science Alive 2025.

Expand A group of people

The Agency’s 10-metre inflatable astronaut ‘Astro’ landed at Martin Place, Sydney.

The activation during IAC 2025 educated thousands of visitors in the heart of Sydney’s Central Business District about the ways space improves life on Earth.

Expand Australian space technology on display at IAC 2025 in Sydney, Australia

More than 19,500 people attended a free public day as part of IAC 2025, in line with the Agency’s efforts to generate a next generation STEM workforce.

Pictured here at IAC 2025 are visitors in the infinity room within the Agency's Stand. This room featured a conceptual short film highlighting Australia's First Nations cultural connection to space. 

Visit our YouTube channel to view this film titled 'birrang'. 

 

Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg

Since completing her astronaut training in Europe, Katherine has championed space and STEM across the country through captivating presentations and talks to thousands of school students and the public. Katherine even featured in Australia's iconic children's show, Play School. 

Katherine has sparked curiosity, inspired more young people to pursue STEM, and opened minds to the possibilities and value of space.

Expand Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg at an event

Katherine was named South Australia's 2026 Australian of the Year.

Visit our webpage to learn more about this feat. 

Expand Aussie astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, on Australia's iconic and beloved children's television show, Play School.

Katherine stared in Play School's special episode about life in space. 

Visit our webpage learn more about this episode. 

Expand A group of people

In Japan, over 200 school students from Osaka Prefectural Suito Kokusai Junior and Senior High School got to meet our Australian astronaut.

Visit our webpage to learn more about Katherine's visit to Japan as part of the Agency's delegation. 

Our department recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.

We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.

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