The 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) launched today in Milan, setting a new record with over 11,000 registrations. The venue buzzed with energy as a diverse and enthusiastic space community filled the halls, including over 30 highly celebrated space flyers.
The Opening Ceremony marked a special moment in IAC’s history—its Diamond Jubilee. IAF President Clay Mowry eloquently likened the congress to a diamond, the hardest natural substance on Earth, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the IAC, now celebrating its largest gathering ever.
In a nod to the intersection of art and science, the ceremony drew inspiration from Adam Elsheimer’s 1609 painting Flight into Egypt, which features one of the earliest known depictions of the Milky Way. A tribute was also made to Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night for its visionary portrayal of cosmic dynamics, long before telescopes captured similar images.
The exhibition opened to a crowd full of anticipation, keen to reconnect and extend or solidify conversations within the global space community. As one of the key pillars in the global space calendar, IAC marked an opportunity to continue collaborative efforts and inspire an array of new ventures. Notably, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the New Zealand Space Agency signed a new partnership agreement, symbolizing the continued expansion of international cooperation in space exploration.
It was a true milestone for the Australian Space community. Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, was appointed Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)— Such an honour for the Australian Space Community to hold such a prestigious position. This milestone solidifies Australia’s growing influence and contribution to the global space economy.
Today also saw the official opening of Sponsorship and Exhibition applications for IAC 2025 in Sydney. The Australian stand attracted considerable interest, with potential partners engaging in discussions about premium sponsorship opportunities. The team is actively working with key stakeholders throughout the week to finalise packages and space allocations, with limited availability pushing everyone to secure their spot for next year’s highly anticipated return to the Indo Pacific region.
As the first day of IAC 2024 draws to a close, the message delivered in the Opening Ceremony rings true — humans have always looked up to the sky to connect with something greater than ourselves, to discover our place in the universe and to look for answers. In essence, “Space creates hope” – and that is the overwhelming sense of the community here in Milan. The future in space is full of hope – and so is the week ahead!