The 19th Australian Space Forum, presented by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, will bring together international space agencies, defence figures, senior government and industry leaders in Adelaide on 21 and 22 July.
This will include Australia's Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Senator Tim Ayres, and South Australia's Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Minister Chris Picton, who is responsible for trade, industry, investment, defence, innovation and science.
They will be joined by NASA's Space Communications and Navigation Program, Deputy Program Manager for Mission and Stakeholder Engagement, Ben Ashman, who will speak on the panel Beyond the Horizon: Charting the Next Era of Global Space Innovation, and Steve Butow, Director of the Space Portfolio at the US Government's Defense Innovation Unit.
International speakers include representatives from the National Space Agency of Singapore, the Taiwan Space Agency and a broader line-up of international organisations and speakers.
“Over the past decade, the Australian Space Forum has become the nation’s premier gathering for the space sector. As Australia’s Space State, South Australia is proud to once again host this important event," Minister Picton stated.
“South Australia is home to a thriving space industry offering capabilities spanning satellite design and manufacture, to mission control and launch and re-entry operations. Combined with our world-class research institutions and connected space community, these strengths are helping build Australia’s sovereign space capabilities.”
Adding a first-hand perspective on spaceflight, polar explorer and astronaut Eric Philips, owner of Icetrek Expeditions and Equipment, will address how space powers Australia's critical systems.
In April 2025, Philips completed the first human spaceflight over the North and South Poles, spending four days in space with three crew members as part of the SpaceX-supported Fram2 mission.
"Having international space agencies, including the National Space Agency of Singapore, Taiwan Space Agency, NASA and US defence innovation leadership on the same program shows how central South Australia has become to the region's space and defence conversation," CEO of Andy Thomas Space Foundation, Darcey Watson, stated.
"Having Pacific Island representatives joining us this year extends that further, bringing an important regional perspective on resilience, sustainability and critical infrastructure into the same conversation as government and defence. Alongside voices like Eric Philips, it reflects exactly how the Forum is built to bring together policy, capability and lived experience of the space industry, all in one room."
The program for the forum includes keynotes from Australian of the Year 2026 and Australian Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg; Head of the Australian Space Agency, Enrico Palermo; the National Space Agency of Singapore, the Taiwan Space Agency and a defence keynote from the US, alongside state of space addresses from the Australian Space Agency, Space Command and industry.
Operation Blackout examines the national impact of losing access to satellites, GPS and secure communications across defence, energy, transport, agriculture, finance and emergency services.
A dedicated session on Australia's role in NASA's Artemis program covers the country's contribution to missions and the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
Further sessions cover workforce development, microgravity commercialisation, launch infrastructure, and AI and cybersecurity in space systems.
“South Australia is committed to remaining at the forefront of the nation’s space efforts and this forum provides a powerful platform for cooperation and collaboration that will help advance our shared ambitions in space for the benefit of all," Minister Picton indicated.
The 19th Australian Space Forum will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 21 and 22 July.