The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) has established the IAC25 Consultation (IACC) working group, comprising Australian space leaders. The IACC aims to further the overall success of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025), the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)’s premier global space event which will take place from 29 September to 3 October 2025 in Sydney, Australia.
IAC 2025 will gather the world’s space community to access the latest space advancements and trends, academic works, industry connections, and partnership opportunities. Furthermore, 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. IAC25 will facilitate this by attracting a diverse audience of globally significant public, private and academic organizations, investors, and space leaders to engage with the Australian space industry.
As a result, IACC members will provide specialized guidance sought by the IAC 2025 Local Organizing Committee (LOC), including representatives of SIAA, the Australian Space Agency and the NSW Government, the IAC 2025 host and co-hosts. IACC members consequently bring a unique combination of expertise and achievements in the Australian space industry because of their in-depth knowledge of IACs, First Nations, industry, youth, young professionals, academia, and space law.
The new members include:
- David Ball GAICD, Regional Director Australia and New Zealand, Lockheed Martin Space;
- Kirsten Banks, Resident TikToker, SpaceAustralia.com | Physics Teacher, Matrix Education;
- Michael Davis AO, 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 International Institute of Space Law;
- Dr Alice Gorman FSA FAHA, 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 FTSE, Director, ANU Institute for Space; and
- Professor Deen Sanders OAM, Partner, Deloitte | Adjunct Professor, University of Newcastle.
Speaking on the members of the consultation working group, SIAA Chair and LOC Chair, Jeremy Hallett, said, “I am happy 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.”
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