Across the Congress
The movers and shakers of the global space sector are in Sydney to attend the 76th edition of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC).
The five-day Congress will be an astronomical demonstration of ideas, partnerships and solutions that will shape space exploration and the future of our sector.
For Australia, this prestigious space event will present a generational opportunity to showcase the rapid progress and potential of our national space industry.
IAC 2025 Space Week, which is running alongside the Congress, will also be an opportunity for the Australian public to launch themselves into space through a range of free, immersive experience.
On this page, we'll recap the day's highlights and bring to you our visual coverage from the ground.
Day 1
The space enthusiasm of the Congress' opening day was stratospheric. Thank you to the thousands of delegates who have travelled near and far.
On Day 1, we witnessed an unforgettable opening act, Australia's vibrant space ecosystem, and the Heads of eight Agencies highlighting the sustainable use of space.
Key moments
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Global collaborations strengthened
• A new chapter for European partnerships. The Australian Government announced a mandate to begin negotiations on a Cooperative Agreement between the European Space Agency and Australia.
• A treaty-level Space Framework Agreement between Australia and the United States has also been agreed. This will open the door to new opportunities for government, businesses and researchers to collaborate on joint projects with NASA and other American partners.
• The Artemis Accords Principals' Meeting convened signatory nations to reaffirm commitments to peaceful lunar exploration and interoperability.
Strategic dialogue among space leaders
Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo co-moderated the One-to-One with Heads of Agencies. This flagship session featured space thought leaders from the US, Europe, Japan, India, Canada and China.
First Nations speakers from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada deliver landmark session
The first-of-its-kind Host Plenary explored how Indigenous perspectives can inform sustainable space practices and foster co-discovery between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science.
Snapshots
Click on the images to read their brief captions.
IAC 2025 Space Week
Running alongside the Congress, a city-wide IAC 2025 Space Week is being held for the public to experience immersive free events.
Day 2
There’s so much happening in our space.
Today, the Australian space sector's ambition, creativity, and momentum was on full display.
The second day of Congress witnessed pivotal bilateral meetings, a unique panel discussing the space technologies in the Pacific, and several major announcements.
Key moments
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AU-US Space Framework Agreement signed
A major milestone that will unlock new opportunities for collaboration between Australian government, industry and researchers with NASA and other US partners.
Southern Launch x Varda Space Industries
A landmark deal will see 20 space returns land at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia — a huge boost for sovereign capability and regional innovation.
“No nation is too small to contribute to space.”
At our Pacific Partners Panel, we explored how space technologies can support resilience, connectivity and sustainable development across the Pacific region — a powerful conversation with global impact.
Strengthening ties with Europe
We met with Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), Josef Aschbacher, where we advanced our discussions to begin negotiations on a Cooperative Agreement between the ESA and Australia. This marks a new chapter in Australian and European space cooperation.
We concluded the day with bilateral meetings with the Korean Space Agency and the US Department of State.
Snapshots
Click on the images to read their brief captions.
IAC 2025 Space Week
Running alongside the Congress, a city-wide IAC 2025 Space Week is being held for the public to experience immersive free events.
Day 3
Space got a taste of all Australian flavours today.
On Day 3, Australia and the UK further strengthened their space ties, there was a happy hour of Aussie hospitality, deeper ties with our Pacific neighbours, and key bilateral meetings to drive our global space engagement forward.
Key moments
Get your daily boost of stories unfolding from the world's leading space event in Sydney.
AU-UK Space Bridge re-signed
We renewed the AU-UK Space Bridge Framework Arrangement with the UK Space Agency and our respective trade agencies. This will reinforce our shared commitment to advancing space science, tech, and innovation between our countries.
Taste of Australia
Delegates got a true Aussie welcome at our ‘Taste of Australia’ event, where national space capability took centre stage alongside top-tier hospitality.
From sky to sea
In a first-of-its-kind roundtable, we brought together Pacific space leaders to explore future partnerships – building on momentum from yesterday’s panel by looking at ways to expand our Australia’s space cooperation with pacific island nations.
Asteroid sample at the Agency's Stand
Dr Masaki Fujimoto from JAXA joined us so we could showcase the Ryugu asteroid sample display. JAXA has graciously loaned a sample from Ryugu to us, which will soon call our Australian Space Discovery Centre home.
IAF Global Networking Forum
The GNF provides networking opportunities for students, young professionals, academics, and policy-makers to share knowledge in the global space community.
This year's session was hosted by India, which included a panel discussion on global reforms and partnerships.
Snapshots
Images from the ground at IAC 2025.
IAC 2025 Space Week
Running alongside the Congress, a city-wide IAC 2025 Space Week is being held for the public to experience immersive free events.
Day 4
The past four days at IAC 2025 have been an investment in space and time with new partnerships for Aussie space ingenuity, industries, and ideas.
Today, marked the last day for all industry dialogues at the 76th edition of the Congress.
Tomorrow is IAC 2025 Public Day, and we are expecting more 10,000 visitors. It will be the largest ever public gathering in the history of this Congress.
Key moments
Get your daily boost of stories unfolding from the world's leading space event in Sydney.
Strengthening Trans-Tasman space collaboration
We met with the New Zealand Space Agency to advance our space cooperation – and it's already accelerating with NZ Government announcing $5.3 million investment in joint projects earlier this week.
A seat at ESA’s Plenary on space sustainability
This was an important discussion focused on shaping a responsible future in orbit – one that will maintain critical space technologies we rely on and better protect the space environment.
Aussie lunar technologies front and centre
Our Outback to Orbit event showcased the breadth of unique Australian technologies destined for the Moon.
Australia–India Space Industry Roundtable
One of our enduring partners in space. The 5th Australia-India Space Industry Roundtable took place – a platform to continue identifying area to build the commercial partnership between our countries.
We also had bilateral meetings with Indian Space Research Organisation and Centre national d'études spatiales (French Space Agency).
Snapshots
Images from the ground at IAC 2025. Click on the photos to read their brief descriptions.
Day 5
Australia showed us what they really think about space.
The final day of the 76th Congress brought together the current and future Aussie space generations.
IAC 2025 Public Day saw over 12,000 space enthusiasts of all age groups turn up — making this the largest public day gathering in the history of this prestigious, annnual international space event.
We are humbled by the turnout and would like to thank every delegate and visitor for its success. We can't wait to see how IAC 2025 shapes the Australian and global space sector.
IAC 2025 Space Week
Running alongside the Congress, a city-wide IAC 2025 Space Week is being held for the public to experience immersive free events.
