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Australia’s leading space industry gathering is set to return in 2026, with the Australian Space Summit & Exhibition confirmed for 17–18 June at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney.
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The two-day event will once again unite government, Defence, industry and academic leaders to examine the forces reshaping Australia’s trajectory in the global space arena.
Now entering its fifth year, the summit has built a strong reputation as a trusted national forum – one that elevates ambitious thinking while pushing for practical pathways to commercialisation.
Delivered by Space Connect with the support of principal partner Space Centre Australia, the agenda is designed to interrogate the major policy decisions, capability challenges and commercial opportunities emerging across the sector.
Influential speakers to headline 2026 program
The 2026 Australian Space Summit & Exhibition has the strongest speaker line-up to date, featuring a mix of global explorers, senior policymakers, industry founders and academic specialists.
Leading the roster is the Honourable Scott Morrison, non-executive group chairman of Space Centre Australia and former prime minister of Australia.
Joining him are Eric Philips OAM, renowned polar explorer and astronaut; James Palmer, founder and CEO of Space Centre Australia; and Katie Mouser, senior strategic partnerships officer – international at the Australian Space Agency and inaugural committee member of the Australian Space Diversity Alliance.
The program also includes prominent legal, scientific and technical voices, including professor Steven Freeland, emeritus professor of international law at Western Sydney University; Dr Rebecca Allen, co-director of Swinburne’s Space Technology and Industry Institute; Lloyd Damp, CEO of Southern Launch; Duncan Blake, deputy chair of WRegSAT at UNSW Canberra; Craig Ingram, team leader in optics and terahertz at CSIRO; and Professor Rodrigo Praino, director of the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies at Flinders University.
Together, they will tackle issues ranging from international law and geopolitical tensions to launch capability, SATCOM sovereignty, space ethics, AUKUS implications, and Australia’s role in the emerging global supply chain.
You can view the current confirmed speakers and agenda here.
A sector in rapid transformation
The summit arrives at a defining moment for Australia’s space industry, which continues to undergo significant expansion. With permanent rocket launch sites, a dedicated Space Command, and growing participation in international programs, Australia’s capabilities are maturing at pace.
Satellite activity is increasing, commercial launch aspirations are gaining global attention, and new research and technology pathways are strengthening national competitiveness. The 2026 event will reflect this momentum, providing a platform for industry to assess its next steps.
A forum built for impact
With more than 70 speakers planned across four streams over two days, the summit is designed to bring clarity to the sector’s most pressing questions. Rather than dwell on speculation, discussions will be grounded in real-world policy directions and strategic insights sourced from government and Defence.
Networking and exhibition spaces will also run throughout the event, enabling delegates to build relationships with decision makers, potential partners and emerging innovators.
Who will be in the room?
The summit is expected to draw a broad mix of attendees, from senior government officials and Defence personnel to academics, technology developers, founders and established organisations seeking new opportunities in the global space economy. Start-ups and businesses looking to join domestic or international supply chains are also encouraged to attend.
A must-attend event for space leaders
With Australia’s space sector accelerating into a new era of capability and commercial opportunity, the 2026 Australian Space Summit & Exhibition represents a critical meeting point for anyone looking to influence, participate in, or better understand the nation’s growing presence in space.
To learn more about the summit, click here.
To secure your ticket, click here.
