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Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin will both headline next year’s Australian Space Summit and Exhibition.
Space Connect’s flagship event – created by Australian Aviation’s sister brand, Space Connect – will also expand to two days and take place on Tuesday, 28 May and Wednesday, 29 May 2024 at the ICC in Sydney. Click here to buy tickets.
On stage, Virgin Galactic will tell the inside story of its first commercial mission earlier this year, which saw the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy collaborate on a pioneering suborbital experiment.
Among the speakers will be Walter Villadei, the astronaut onboard who served as the mission commander.
Also appearing will be Lynn McDonald, a former colonel in the US Air Force who now serves as Blue Origin’s VP of test and flight operations. She’ll discuss the company’s groundbreaking early missions alongside how space tourism aligns with humanity’s exploration and advancement in space.
Swinburne University astronomer Professor Alan Duffy will again assume emcee duties.
The conference will cover a range of topics, including strengthening aerospace ties between Australia, the US, and the UK under the AUKUS alliance and how Australia is shaping the ASEAN space landscape.
It will delve into the challenges and opportunities in hypersonic technology, defence strategy for the space domain, and space-specific cyber security approaches and frameworks to protect space assets in the digital age.
Attendees will be treated to multiple keynote addresses on the state of the space industry and how it will become a driving force in the broader economy.
This year’s summit will cover four key pillars of the space industry:
Space industry evolution: Discover the intricacies of the space industry and how to navigate regulatory frameworks, sustainable practices, technological disruptions, and cross-industry collaborations while prioritising diversity to fuel innovation.
Space sovereignty: Explore the defence sector’s short and long-term strategy roadmap for the space domain, the significance of space as a strategic asset for defence, and how defence will collaborate with the space industry, research institutions, and international partners.
Space innovation: Dive into the latest satellite advancement and sustainable solutions, as well as how new applications could provide opportunities for growth and better quality of life.
Space marketplace: Understand how space could open doors to business development locally and globally to fuel economic growth and the expansion of the Australian space industry.
Other speakers include:
- Dr Paul Scully-Power, Australia’s first astronaut
- Anntonette Dailey, the adviser to industry on government space relations
- Dr Joni Sytsma, chief technology officer at the University of Southern Queensland’s iLAuNCH Program
- Michael Jones, Equatorial Launch executive chairman and group CEO
- James Bennett, EOS Space Systems executive vice president
Day 1
The summit’s first day will begin with an industry update and the current state of play in Australia’s space industry.
This will be followed by a panel discussion on expanding the space industry through education and workforce development, tackling the skills gap, increasing youth engagement, and encouraging collaboration with other industries, businesses and research institutions.
Thought leaders will unpack the draft recommendations made by the government on improving diversity in STEM and shed light on how to increase diversity and counter-bullying to build a more equitable landscape.
Day 2
On day two, speakers will explain earth observation’s core principles and capabilities, government applications (including environmental monitoring, disaster management, and national security), and how funding cuts could impact EO programs.
Space medicine and space tourism will be in the spotlight, with speakers exploring challenges, market trends, innovative solutions, and the broader implications for healthcare and the environment, respectively.
Members of the space industry will hear about how the finance and insurance market is evolving to meet the unique needs of the space industry, as well as how the industry could commercialise space to ensure that it becomes relevant to consumers and the economy.
Click here to book your tickets and ensure you don’t miss out!
For more information, including agenda and speakers, click here.
Space Connect would like to thank all its partners for supporting the Australian Space Summit and Exhibition 2024, including:
