Last week, the Australian Space Agency joined other space agency leaders from across the globe at the 39th Colorado Space Symposium in the United States. 

The Space Symposium is a major international space event, hosted each year in Colorado Springs, which provides opportunities for global space agencies, governments, and companies from civil space and defence to strengthen their space relationships and generate opportunities for stronger international space collaboration. 

The Australian Space Agency, along with an Australian industry delegation led by Austrade, arrived in Colorado for four full days of space activities and engagements. 

The visit included numerous bilateral meetings with space agencies including Europe, New Zealand, Spain, Japan, UK, Canada and France.

Partnerships between Australia and the world

Reflecting on the visit the Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo, emphasised the importance of such events in boosting international opportunities for Australia’s space sector.

“Space relies on strong international partnerships. Colorado Space Symposium is the first major event for the year on the international space calendar; bringing the global space community together and integral to generating more investment, collaboration and growth across our respective space sectors,” Mr Palermo said.

“Our engagements with international counterparts and commercial space companies during the Symposium enabled us to explore and identify areas for collaboration, while also promoting Australia’s space technology and capability to our partners and strengthening commercial partnerships between Australia and the world.”  

During the four days Mr Palermo met with his counterparts including European Space Agency Director General, Josef Aschbacher, President of the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (Italian Space Agency), Prof. Teodoro Valente, UK Space Agency CEO, Dr Paul Bate, and President of the Canadian Space Agency, Lisa Campbell. 

Two people on a panel discussion
Caption: (L-R) Mr Palermo and the Honourable Dr Kevin Rudd AC at a luncheon hosted by the Agency. 

The Australian Space Agency also had the pleasure in welcoming Australia's Ambassador to the United States and former Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Dr Kevin Rudd AC. The Agency hosted a salon luncheon as part of the Space Symposium program that explored the Australia-US space relationship – our current state and what the future holds.

Ambassador Rudd is a strong advocate for Australia’s space industry, and emphasised during the luncheon that Australia is a global innovator, primed to be a key international space partner for the United States and beyond. 

Key moments during the event

Two people posing after signing an agreement.

Signing of the Space Act Agreement with NASA to support arrangements for the next phase of Australia’s lunar rover mission.

Two people posing

Supporting the UK Space Agency with the announcement of three Australian research projects supported under the UK’s International Bilateral Fund.

Person speaking at an event

Attendance at the International Astronautical Federation’s luncheon to promote the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney. 

A group of people

Signings of renewed Memorandum of Understandings with the Canadian Space Agency and National Centre for Space Studies to boost our space cooperation with Canada and France, respectively.

A group of people on stage

Space Leaders Spotlight panel, which provided the Australian Space Agency with an valuable opportunity to highlight Australia’s space sector - it’s momentum and maturity - and to further promote next year’s IAC in Sydney.

A group of people

Visit to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to share insights and knowledge on Australia and US space weather capabilities. 

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