The 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) was held in Sydney from 29 September to 3 October 2025, marking Australia’s growing role in the global space community. As the world’s premier annual space event, the IAC brought together over 7,000 delegates from more than 90 countries, including space agencies, industry leaders, researchers and academics to share knowledge, foster partnerships and showcase cutting-edge innovation.
Hosting the IAC highlighted Australia’s growing ambition and capability in space and created a platform for new and strengthened global partnerships and commercial opportunities, embedding space as a catalyst for national progress.
By bringing together global space agencies in Sydney, the IAC also provided a platform for the Australian Government to announce important developments in the Australian space sector.
AU–US Space Framework Agreement
A highlight of the congress was the announcement that Australia and the United States had signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Aeronautics and the Exploration and Use of Airspace and Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes (Space Framework Agreement).
This treaty builds on the 2024 Australia – US Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) – which removed barriers to commercial launches involving US technology from Australian soil – and paves the way for broader civil and government-to-government collaboration across civil aeronautics and space projects.
Key areas of collaboration include:
space exploration
Earth and space sciences (including geodesy)
space medicine and life sciences
aeronautics research
emerging technologies.
By reducing legal and administrative barriers, the agreement creates clearer pathways for Australian businesses, researchers and government to work with NASA and other US partners, unlocking opportunities for joint missions and industrial partnerships.
Next steps: before the Space Framework Agreement can enter into force, it must be tabled in both Houses of Parliament and considered by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) – a process expected to take four to six months.
See our previous coverage of the TSA here and here.
AU–EU Cooperative Agreement
The Australian Government also announced a mandate for the Australian Space Agency (ASA) to begin negotiations on a Cooperative Agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) – the world’s second largest space ecosystem, with ESA supported by an annual budget of EUR 7.7 billion ($13.8 billion) and spanning 23 of the European Union’s 27 member states.
A mandate to negotiate is the first formal step in Australia’s treaty-making process. The agreement would establish a mechanism for Australian businesses and researchers to access ESA’s space science program and missions and for European activity in Australia.
Potential benefits for Australia include:
industrial growth through joint projects and procurement
high-tech job creation in emerging industries
enhanced participation in the global space economy.
Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, Tim Ayres, underlined the significance:
Strengthening Australia’s international partnerships with NASA and the ESA creates new opportunities for Australian ideas and technologies, improving industrial capability, boosting productivity and building economic resilience.
Next steps: we don’t yet know how long the negotiations will take.
AU–UK Space Bridge renewal
Launched in 2021, the AU-UK Space Bridge was formally renewed at IAC 2025. Backed by the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund, this initiative promotes:
knowledge exchange
joint R&D and innovation
government-to-industry collaboration between the two nations.
Practical outcomes are already being delivered. This renewal ensures momentum for future projects in areas like Earth observation, communications and space sustainability.
From agreements to action: what comes next?
From a new strategic treaty with the US to forthcoming negotiations with the ESA and renewed UK collaboration, the momentum is clear. These initiatives provide the building blocks for a stronger, more resilient national economy, with the Australian space sector as a key enabler of future growth.