Shaping space innovation at the International Astronautical Congress

From the Moon to Mars and beyond, Swinburne University of Technology is helping shape the future of space exploration. Swinburne representatives joined 7,000 delegates from over 90 countries at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), driving conversations on innovation, sustainability and inclusion in space exploration. Held in Sydney from 29 September to 3 October, the congress coincided with World Space Week celebrations.

“Space belongs to all of us, and Swinburne’s efforts to create real solutions for sustainable and inclusive activities while empowering future leaders were on display at IAC,” says Dr Rebecca Allen, Co-director of Swinburne’s Space Technology and Industry Institute.

Indigenous knowledge and space science

The opening ceremony set the tone with a powerful celebration of Australia’s rich contributions to space, honoring the stories and contributions of First Nations people alongside scientists and engineers who have propelled the nation’s work beyond Earth.  

Swinburne’s Dr Kirsten Banks delivered a powerful plenary, titled ‘Beyond Integration: Building Earth-Sky Knowledge Infrastructure for co-discovery in space and sustainability’. Her presentation explored the connection between Indigenous knowledge and space science.

"It was an honour to be invited by the Australian Space Agency to join their First Nations Advisory group for IAC 2025. The message we shared was incredibly important for future collaborations between First Nations knowledge and modern science, and it was heartwarming to see the impact ripple through conversations at the Congress," says Dr Banks.

Swinburne’s space expertise recognised on a global stage

Swinburne’s PhD candidate Thomas Graham received the Prof. Dr I.H.Ph. Diederiks-Verschoor Award for best paper by someone 30 years or under in the International Institute of Space Law’s Colloquia at the IAC. His success highlights growing interest and expertise in space law, a critical area as Swinburne’s projects increasingly intersect with legal and ethical considerations in space governance.

Swinburne’s Jacinta Richards was shortlisted for the 2025 Interactive Presentations Competition. Her interactive presentation stood out among more than 1,500 submissions, earning third place in the infrastructure category.

Collaboration with Rhodium Scientific

Swinburne announced an expanded collaboration with Rhodium Scientific in support of its flagship student space station program. This evolution of the partnership will provide more students with the rare opportunity to design and launch their own experiments into space. The collaboration also aims to strengthen knowledge transfer through specialised industry-focused training programs, equipping the next generation with critical skills in space science and mission preparation.

The next era of space exploration

The IAC plenary sessions covered a range of topics from the Artemis lunar program and astronaut career pathways to discussions on sustainability, ethics and Indigenous knowledge. As a leader in space research and education, Swinburne showcased its growing expertise, with Swinburne PhD candidates, early career researchers and undergraduate students sharing their work across 20 presentations, panels and talks.  
 
On the final day, the event opened to the public. Children dressed as astronauts explored the venue, offering a reminder that the next generation of space explorers is already among us. As the space industry continues to grow in Australia, Swinburne is proudly preparing the future workforce at every level, from high school to vocational training to PhD research.

Through world-class research, education and global partnerships, Swinburne continues to lead Australia’s journey into the next era of space exploration.