The new millennium began with the launch of Australia’s technology demonstrator microsatellite, FedSat, sent to orbit with a helping hand from Japan.
Across the next decade momentum began to build for the establishment of a national space agency that would enable Australia to benefit more the growing global space sector.
By the 2010s, new innovative space tech led to the popularity of cubesats. These spacecraft in comparison to their predecessors were tiny satellites that were financially more viable to make and launch as well as to rapidly test novel technologies. Australia embraced this new paradigm with the launch of four cubesats in April 2017.
That year proved to be even more historic for Australia's emerging space sector with two iconic space moment unfolding on the morning of 25th September 2017.
The first — Australia hosted the global space sector in Adelaide for the 68th edition of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). This would be the second time the country hosted the world's most prestigious space event on its shores. It previously held the 49th edition of IAC in 1998.
The other milestone moment at the Congress was the announcement that Australia would have its own space agency.
The Australian Space Agency would later be established to further leverage the country's geographical advantages and growing cutting-edge capabilities to increase Australia's contribution to the global space economy.
Key highlights from the 68th Congress in Adelaide, Australia
• More than 4,500 delegate from 84 countries attended IAC 2017.
• The theme of IAC 2017 was “Unlocking imagination, fostering innovation and strengthening security.”
• There were 180 Technical Sessions in the fields of Science and Exploration; Applications and Operations; Technology; Infrastructure, and Space and Society.
• There were over 50 exhibitors on display at IAC 2017. They ranged from industry, space agencies, research centres and universities, associations and space societies.
As part of the IAC Outreach Program:
• Australia Post issued a special stamp to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Australia's first satellite WRESAT-1
• A major exhibition was held at the State Library of South Australia to mark the 70th anniversary of the Woomera Rocket Range.
Get involved
Be part of the world’s biggest space event in Sydney starting 29 September
A snapshot of IAC 2017
Click on the images to read their descriptions. All images are courtesy the International Astronautical Federation, the main organisers of the Congress.
Get involved
Be part of the world’s biggest space event in Sydney starting 29 September
