AAIS at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025

Dubbed the “Olympics of Space,” the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 was held from 29 September to 3 October in Sydney, Australia. Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) – the world’s largest non-profit space association – the IAC is a major annual gathering and a key fixture in the global space industry calendar.

Hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia (SSIA) and co-hosted by the Australian Space Agency and New South Wales Government, this latest edition of the IAC attracted over 7,500 participants from 99 countries, including heads of national space agencies, officials from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), industry leaders, investors, researchers, and academics.  

Centred on the theme “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth,” the event explored innovations in space technology, sustainability, and how advancements in space can improve life on Earth. Topics included space debris management, international cooperation, and the application of space technologies in terrestrial sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, mining, and emergency services.

Singapore Participation

AAIS joined representatives from Singapore’s growing space ecosystem at IAC 2025. The Singapore contingent included delegates from the Office for Space Technology & Innovation (OSTIn), Enterprise Singapore, Singapore-based space enterprises, Experia Events, and leading institutions such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Among AAIS’s key objectives was to share about the Singapore Space Community under its umbrella and to promote the Singapore Space Industry Directory – a key reference publication by AAIS which showcases companies, institutions, and capabilities within Singapore’s expanding space ecosystem.

AAIS and Singapore delegates extended invitations to international counterparts to participate in the upcoming Singapore Space Summit 2026, to be held from 2 to 3 February 2026 in conjunction with the Singapore Airshow. The delegation also supported the Singapore Space Summit Lift-Off Networking Reception, organised by Experia Events on 30 September, which drew strong participation from the international space community. The session provided an excellent opportunity to connect with agencies, industry leaders, start-ups and academics from around the world.

Industry leaders and experts from the Singapore Space Community contributed actively to the week’s discussions, including:

• Mr Jonathan Hung, Executive Director of OSTIn, at the IAF Global Space Leaders Summit;
• Prof Wen Bihan, Associate Professor, NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, at the Workshop on Earth Observation AI Foundation Models; and
• Ms Lynette Tan, CEO of Space Faculty, at the Interactive Workshop on Capacity Building for Emerging Space Ecosystems in Asia Pacific.

Through meetings, panel participation, and discussions, the Singapore delegation provided updates on space industry developments, discussed key initiatives, and explored opportunities for collaboration.

Engagements with Partners and Counterparts

Throughout the week, AAIS met with hosts and key partners, including the IAF and SIAA. Separate calls were made on Michal Brichta, IAF Bureau Vice President and Director of the Slovak Space Office; and Jeremy Hallett, Chairman of SIAA, together with Lisa Vitaris, IAC 2025 Director. AAIS congratulated the organisers on a well-run and high-quality conference that maintained strong momentum throughout the week.

Together with agency colleagues and Singapore-based space companies Transcelestial and Equatorial Space, AAIS also met with Investment NSW to discuss opportunities for collaboration. Discussions touched on satellite R&D, ride-on launch opportunities, and areas of synergy in Western Sydney’s Bradfield Aerotropolis, including advanced manufacturing, design, and engineering.

The team also engaged with representatives from the South Australian Space Industry Centre, Defence SA, and the governments of Tasmania and Queensland, exploring potential cooperation in supply chains, southern launch capabilities,  microgravity research for pharmaceuticals, and more.

In addition, AAIS met with several international associations and agencies, including senior executives from the SatCom Industry Association (India), SPACETIDE Foundation (Japan), and connected with counterparts from Poland, Canada, Luxembourg, the UK, South Africa, Germany, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, the European Space Agency (ESA), and more, sharing our directory and discussing opportunities for exchanges between our space communities. AAIS also participated in the Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Network Welcome Reception, forging exciting connections with new media and industry partners, including MySecurity Media and Space & Earth Partners and Advisory.

The exchanges generated strong interest, particularly among participants seeking partnerships in Asia-Pacific, reinforcing Singapore’s potential as an agile and innovation-driven centre for space-related activities in the region.

Key Observations

Responsible Growth amid Accelerating Commercial Activity
IAC 2025 underscored the rapid expansion of commercial space activity and the growing importance of cross-border cooperation to strengthen the global space ecosystem. Discussions highlighted the need for responsible regulation and sustained investment to ensure space remains an accessible and sustainable domain for generations to come.

Expanding Opportunities in Asia-Pacific
Few IACs have been hosted in the Southern Hemisphere, making IAC 2025 an opportunity to highlight industry developments in the Indo-Pacific. Across the region, there is growing momentum in developing sovereign systems, supply chain capabilities, and launch infrastructure – from southern to equatorial sites – underscoring Asia-Pacific’s growing influence in the global space economy..

Inspiring the Next Generation
The strong participation of students and young professionals brought a dynamic energy to the Congress. The NextGen Plenary, for example, featured early-career engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs showcasing their projects in an engaging talk-show format, reflecting the passion and vision driving the next generation of space leaders.

Looking Ahead

At the Closing Ceremony, the IAF flag was ceremonially handed to the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), host of IAC 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye. The IAF General Assembly also announced that Samarkand, Uzbekistan, will host IAC 2028. AAIS welcomes Singapore-based companies keen to participate or exhibit at future IAC editions to connect with the Secretariat.

In the meantime, AAIS looks forward to welcoming the global space community to the Singapore Pavilion @ Singapore Space Summit 2026, to explore the nation’s growing space capabilities. View an online version of the Singapore Space Industry Directory here: https://aviationdirectory.biz/directory/?cat=space-industry or access the web pdf copy hosted by OSTIn: https://www.space.gov.sg/files/Singapore_Space_Industry_Directory_2025_2026_Web_Version.pdf