Attending Victorian Defence and Space Network Information Session

Earlier this month, members of Victoria’s business, academic, and government sectors came together to explore opportunities for supporting a Victorian presence at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025. The session was held under the Victorian Defence and Space Network (VDSN) and highlighted the state’s growing role in the national space ecosystem.

Set to take place in Sydney from 29 September to 3 October 2025, the IAC is the world’s premier space event. It returns to Australia for the first time since 2017, when Adelaide hosted the global space community.

A major development for IAC 2025 is the formal inclusion of space-enabled industries in the program. These industries—spanning resources, agriculture, health, manufacturing, Smart Cities, financial services, ICT, and emergency management—demonstrate how space technology plays a key role in everyday life and drives economic growth.

The event was hosted by Antonette Dailey, Board Member of the Defence Council Victoria, who brought her deep experience across Australia’s aerospace and space sectors.

Participants heard from Lisa Vitaris, IAC Director at the Space Industry Association of Australia, who shared updates on Congress planning and the many ways organisations can get involved. A panel discussion followed with:

• Larry James – SmartSat CRC / Monash University
• Luke Phillips – Australian Space Agency
• Tamara Bell – Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)

The panel offered advice on how to prepare for the Congress, highlighting the importance of early planning, setting clear goals, and building networks well ahead of time.

Pictures courtesy of Jacqui Tyack

Craig Butler from the Defence Science Institute also presented an opportunity to coordinate a Victorian booth at the event—for those interested in highlighting their space related capabilities.

The success of the session was made possible through the support and coordination of Merreilli Barachina (VDSN), Michael Cross (Victorian Government), Zara Hamon (RMIT), and Jacqui Tyack (Australian Space Diversity Alliance).

Our Managing Director, Steven Holloway who attended the event, found it an excellent opportunity to assess the benefits of participating in IAC 2025 and its associated business and networking programs.

Contact us if you would like to know more about Chatham Square.