ICYMI: South Australia shines at IAC 2025

South Australia’s leadership in the global space sector was on full display at the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney last week, where the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) showcased the state’s innovation and ambition to more than 7,500 delegates from 90 countries.

From forging international partnerships to launching new ventures, Lot Fourteen is home to the companies propelling Australia’s space ecosystem onto the world stage.

Here are the top news picks from last week:

• Southern Launch + Varda: Koonibba Test Range will facilitate another 20 spacecraft returns by 2028, with Varda’s in-space manufacturing capsules returning to Earth. More here.
• Australasian Space Innovation Institute: launched as a new organisation, building on the success of Lot Fourteen-based SmartSat CRC. More here.
• Saber Astronautics signed a milestone partnership with Starlab to support a next-gen commercial space station program. The partnership will ensure microgravity research is increasingly accessible to Australian, US and allied partners. More here.
• Space Machines Company + Perigee: announced the development of a Kickstage – combining South Korean methane propulsion with Australian spacecraft systems.

• Space Protocol, based in the Stone & Chalk Startup Hub, announced a commercial partnership with US Government research centre and Lot Fourteen company MITRE Corporation and was accepted into the APJ AWS Space Accelerator.

• Inovor Technologies announces the signing of three strategic partnerships to underscore their ongoing commitment to international collaboration and the development of advanced space capabilities. Partnerships inked were with Rhea Space Activity, Space BD Inc. and IHI Corporation. More here.  

Across the week, the Australian Space Agency’s Stand showcased Australian capabilities across space technology and services; advanced manufacturing; research and innovation; and sustainable practices, while hosting key events including a discussion around the importance of space technologies and engagement in the Pacific region and Australian Space Flight opportunities. The Agency ran daily updates which can be read here: click for its daily wrap.

At the SA Space stand run by SASIC, Southern Launch and the Koonibba community transported attendees through a six-metre mirrored tunnel, immersing them in the story of their partnership and Australia’s first spaceport, the Koonibba Test Range, in collaboration with Lot Fourteen business, Convergen.

To find out more about SA’s space capabilities visit SASIC’s new website and brand video here.