The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) has established the IAC25 Consultation (IACC) working group, which includes space leaders from across Australia.
The IACC aims to build on the success of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), the International Astronautical Federation’s premier global space event, which will take place from September 29 to October 3, 2025, in Sydney.
IACC members will provide specialised guidance sought by the IAC 2025 local organising committee, which includes representatives of SIAA, the IAC 2025 host, the Australian Space Agency, and the NSW Government, the latter two entities being the IAC 2025 co-hosts. Current IACC members include:
- David Ball, Regional Director Australia and New Zealand, Lockheed Martin Space;
- Kirsten Banks, Resident TikToker, SpaceAustralia.com, Physics Teacher, Matrix Education;
- Michael Davis, Chair, The Andy Thomas Space Foundation;
- Professor Melissa de Zwart, Professor, University of Adelaide, Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space;
- Professor Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor of International Law, Western Sydney University, Professorial Fellow, Bond University; Director at the International Institute of Space Law;
- Dr Alice Gorman, Associate Professor, Flinders University;
- Patrick Grave, Quantitative Trader, Optiver, Director, Melbourne Space Program;
- Donna Lawler, Principal at Azimuth Advisory;
- Kaylee Li, Asia-Pacific Regional Executive Secretary, Space Generation Advisory Council, Founder & Project Lead, Sydney Interplanetary Rover Initiative;
- Dr Naomi Mathers, Director, Industry Liaison and Member Services, International Centre for Complex Project Management, Deputy Chair, Centre of Excellence for CubeSats, UAVs and their Applications (CUAVA);
- Professor Anna Moore, Director, ANU Institute for Space; and
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Professor Deen Sanders, Partner, Deloitte, Adjunct Professor, University of Newcastle.
Additional IACC members may be invited over the coming months.
“I am delighted to welcome this distinguished group of leaders to the IACC and look forward to drawing on their skills, knowledge, and expertise as we develop an experience that embodies the IAF’s guiding principles and unlocks opportunities from the increased investment in innovation in space by governments and private industry,” said SIAA Chair and Local Organising Committee Chair Jeremy Hallett.
IAC 2025 attracts the world’s space community to access the latest advancements, trends, academic works, industry connections, and partnership opportunities in the space industry.
The event aims to grow Australia’s space ecosystem by creating local and international business opportunities and building advocacy and support for the space ecosystem across the broader Indo-Pacific region. This is made possible by attracting a diverse audience of globally significant public, private and academic organisations, investors, and space leaders to engage with the Australian space industry.
