Australia’s next space generation finds its launchpad at Space Day Out.
More than 1,300 visitors descended on Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen precinct – home of the Australian Space Agency and Australian Space Discovery Centre – for a packed day of inspiration, innovation and hands-on discovery.
Backed by the Agency and supported alongside Inspiring South Australia, the South Australian Space Industry Centre and Lot Fourteen, the event was a vibrant STEM playground and officially launched Australian Space Week.
The Space Day Out experience
The Lot Fourteen precinct was reimagined with space-themed destinations including Roo-ver Road, Lunar Lane and Astronaut Alley, creating a festival atmosphere that buzzed with excitement from the moment gates opened.
Families lined up for exhibits, children proudly arrived in space-themed costumes and visitors immersed themselves in activities from scrap rocket launches to face-sketching robots, to operating lunar rovers and meeting the people behind the innovations through the event's Space Tech Showcase.
Perhaps no story captured the spirit of the day better than that of Jordan Iannuzzi and his son Chase, who travelled more than 700 kilometres from Geelong to attend. As a surprise birthday gift after Chase turned nine the week before, the journey reflected the extraordinary pull space exploration continues to have on young imaginations.
That sense of wonder was everywhere.
In numbers:
At Space Day Out
In numbers:
- Over 1,300 visitors attended
- 1,440 minutes of lunar rover driving
- 3,200 crayons used in activities
- 1,600 paper rockets launched
- 7,200 space facts told
Astronomical excitement meets our Aussie astronaut and more
A major highlight of the day was for over 700 visitors, including a family from Sydney, meeting Australian astronaut and 2026 Australia of the Year Katherine Bennell-Pegg
One of the standout attractions was Roo-ver, Australia’s lunar rover that is set to head to the Moon on a NASA mission in 2030. Many young visitors who witnessed April's history making Artemis II mission were in awe to learn more about our first Australian made lunar rover.
Crowds packed into the Space Tech Showcase to experience Australian innovations helping solve challenges both on Earth and in orbit. Kids held Australian-made satellite models, participated in an immersive launch experience, and met the scientists and engineers to see what the future holds for them.
As Australia's space sector continues to expand Space Day Out was a powerful reminder of how space is a true gateway to STEM and that there is a bright future ahead for Australia's space industry.
Credit for all images used in this story: Brad Griffin
Australian Space Discovery Centre
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