Building on the momentum gained in 2017, this year is set to be another big one for South Australia’s space industry. A number of key milestones, events and South Australian Government-led business missions in 2018 will help grow the state’s space industry, enable the local space community to connect with international partners and open new collaboration opportunities.  

Space program kicks off – January 2018

Aspiring space professionals from across the globe, including Australia, will undertake the highly regarded Southern Hemisphere Space Studies program, from 15 January to 16 February. The intensive, live-in international space program, hosted jointly by the University of South Australia and the International Space University, will educate future space workers in key knowledge areas, including satellite applications, space policy and services. Among the nearly 50 students taking part in the SH-SSP will be seven from South Australia, including five who received scholarships, totalling $50,000, from the South Australian Government. There are a number of public events associated with this program. Find out more about these, and register, here. 

Space review findings revealed – March 2018

Findings from the Australian Government’s review into the nation’s space capabilities will be released late March. The review, led by former CSIRO chief Dr Megan Clark, will also provide advice to the government on the drafting of a charter for an Australian space agency, announced by the Australian Government at last September’s International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide. South Australia is well-placed to take advantage of the national space agency, with the State Government establishing a dedicated space centre last year which may serve as a potential node for the agency.  

South Australia Space Forum – April and November 2018

The biannual South Australia Space Forum will this year once again be jointly hosted by the South Australian Space Industry Centre and the Space Industry Association of Australia. These free events are a great opportunity to find out the latest space sector news, as well as meet with key players in the sector. The Forum will be held in April and November – keep an eye on our Events page for more information about how to register for this premier space sector event. 

ActInSpace hackathon – May 2018

Adelaide will host the Australian entries into the 24-hour international ActInSpace hackathon, from 25-26 May. The event, to be held at the University of South Australia’s Innovation and Collaboration Centre, will see students, developers and entrepreneurs use existing space technology and data to design new services and products. Participants will compete simultaneously with people in cities all over the world as part of the competition. Winners from each country will compete in a final that will take place in France during the Toulouse Space Show in 2018.

International Astronautical Congress Bremen 2018 – October 2018

The 69th International Astronautical Congress, the world’s largest annual gathering of space professionals hosted by the International Astronautical Federation, will be held in Bremen, from 1-5 October 2018. The theme of the 2018 congress is ‘Involving Everyone’ to create a more diverse space sector. The IAC has been held every year since 1950, with Adelaide hosting the 2017 congress. South Australia showcased its growing space industry to over 4,000 local and international delegates during the highly successful event. It’s anticipated that South Australia will have a presence at the IAC 2018.     

Space business missions – various opportunities from February 2018

New opportunities in commercial space will be explored at several State Government business missions planned for 2018, including:  

  • Dubai, 14-15 February
  • China, including Shanghai, Shanxi and Guangzhou, 14-24 May 
  • India, Bangalore, 27 August-2 September
  • Germany, United Kingdom and France, 24-30 September  
  • China, including Shangdon and Shanghai, 5-9 November
  • North East Asia, including Japan, Korea and Taiwan, 16-24 November  

If you are interested in participating in upcoming events and/or missions, please contact South Australian Space Industry Centre via spaceoffice@sa.gov.au.