The world's space community will converge on Sydney tomorrow with the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) set to transform the city into a festival of science and imagination.
From Monday, 29 September to Saturday, 4 October, more than 8,000 astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space leaders from over 90 countries will converge for the world's premier space event.
With the theme "Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth" the Congress is hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia, and co-hosted by the NSW Government and Australian Space Agency. It is the first time the Congress has been hosted in Sydney, and just the third time it has been hosted in Australia.
To celebrate, Sydney will roll out a free, city-wide 'Space Week', with immersive experiences that fuse art and science and showcase how space shapes our world today.
Across the city, space will take over some of the city's most iconic places, with a 10-metre inflatable astronaut landing in Martin Place, while Chippendale will come alive with support from the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner's Uptown District Acceleration Program and Neon Marketplace helping local businesses to turn into vibrant going-out hubs.
The Powerhouse Museum will deliver a special edition of the Sydney Science Festival, including HUMANS, a global project inviting visitors to record their personal messages for broadcast to deep space in 2027.
The week will include 'Space Day - Powered by LEGO® Play' on Friday, 3 October, a free major public event during the school holidays. For one day only, ICC Sydney will open its doors to families and students, offering the chance to step into the shoes of explorers and innovators.
As part of Space Day, the NSW Department of Education will present its Young Space Explorers program - a major activation on Level 3 of ICC Sydney designed to inspire students through immersive, hands-on STEM learning.
Visitors will enjoy astronaut encounters, have a chance to drive moon rovers, experience VR spacewalks, robotics challenges, and hands-on STEAM workshops (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), delivered by the Australian Space Agency and NSWDepartment of Education.
Alongside the public celebrations, IAC 2025 will showcase the strength of NSW's space industry, which is at the nation's forefront of advanced manufacturing and innovation.
NSW companies are already developing satellites that have won international mission competitions, securing contracts in global markets, and pioneering technologies that are reshaping industries from agriculture to communications.
This innovation carves out new opportunities for NSW to be globally competitive in complex products, in line with the NSW Industry Policy andNSW Trade and Investment Strategy 2035.
More information on how to make the most of the full Space Week program, including Space Day, can be found at https://www.iac2025.org/space-day-registration/.
Minister for Industry and Trade and Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Space is no longer the frontier of tomorrow. It's here and now, shaping the way we live, work, and connect every day.
"The 76th International Astronautical Congress will bring together the best and brightest minds in the global space industry, and we can't wait to showcase the thriving advanced manufacturing and technology ecosystem that we have right here in Sydney.
"The IAC and Space Week will be big events for Sydney, and an exciting chance to inspire young people in NSW.
"But it's not just a great way to learn about space - we are also supporting over 60 businesses to exhibit at the Congress, giving them access international markets, allowing them to attract global investment, and create jobs right here at home.
"NSW has a rapidly growing space sector - many businesses have partnered with global companies, designing the next generation of satellite systems, developing rovers and robots and delivering in-orbit logistics - which are now in the spotlight with Sydney hosting the IAC.
"I would encourage everyone, especially families and kids on school holidays, to also make the most of the calendar of free events and dive into the wonders of space."
Australian Space Agency Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg said:
"I'm pumped to welcome my fellow astronauts and space colleagues from around the world to Sydney and to meet as many people as we can as part of IAC 2025 Space Week.
"Space is exciting, it's awe-inspiring, it's used by every single one of us every day, and it's happening right here in Australia. IAC 2025 Space Week is a once in a generation opportunity to show how space benefits life on Earth and to excite young Australians about a future in STEM.
"A love of space often sets young people on a path to a career as an engineer or scientist. Imagine how many future engineers and scientists may say in 20 or 30 years how IAC 2025 Space Week launched their STEM journey."
Director of IAC 2025 Sydney at the Space Industry Association of Australia Lisa Vitaris said:
"IAC 2025 Space Week will ignite curiosity and passion for space in our community, fostering the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.
"The event shines a spotlight on our growing Australian space industry, showcasing how space is critical for our everyday lives and how space can drive improved economic productivity.
"For many Australians, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the global space ecosystem from over eighty countries right on our doorstep, not to mention the ability to meet and greet over a dozen astronauts including our very own."
