Some of South Australia’s most promising space startups will join up to 10,000 international delegates in Sydney next month for the International Astronautical Congress, the world’s largest space event.
AICRAFT, Blue Dwarf Space, HEX20, Paladin Space, Robinson Aerospace Systems and Safety From Space will all exhibit, showcasing their space capabilities after participating in the University of South Australia's Innovation & Collaboration Centre’s (ICC) Venture Catalyst Space program.
The University of South Australia is combining with the University of Adelaide to form Australia’s new for purpose university, Adelaide University, which will open its doors in January next year. An Adelaide University delegation, including ICC representatives, will join the startups at the event, as part of the Defence SA booth.
Founder of Robinson Aerospace Systems (RAS), Edward Robinson, is attending to meet people from around the world across all areas of the sector.
Robinson Aerospace provides STEM education for students, inspiring the next generation with hands-on satellite kits. In June this year, RAS’s first RASCube-1 reached space, carrying student-built experiments to orbit.
The company is now planning a second launch to space with the RASCube-2, aiming for an Australian focused launch, with several schools on board.
Paladin Space’s Founder Harrison Box is hoping to meet like-minded investors at the event.
His company is in the process of raising $6-8million to fund its in-orbit 2027 mission and international expansion.
Paladin Space recently built Triton 2.0, the world’s first reusable space debris remover, which will demonstrate its abilities at the event. The company has Memorandum of Understandings with research institutes internationally to develop its novel machine-learning computer vision, and is currently growing its team. With recent hires from NASA and MIT, they’re encouraging delegates interested in joining them to visit the booth.
Adelaide University’s Associate Director: Business Incubation Craig Jones says the South Australian presence provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the State’s groundbreaking space credentials.
“We are excited to attend this event representing the new Adelaide University, alongside some of the standout graduates from our Venture Catalyst Space program,” Jones says.
“Exhibiting at the premier space congress with some of the world’s largest space companies, provides outstanding opportunities for startups to demonstrate their cutting-edge capabilities.”
Since 2018, the ICC’s Venture Catalyst Space program has supported space startups in fast-tracking market entry, accelerating commercialisation journeys, and strengthening their connections to investors and researchers while helping them grow into globally sustainable companies.
The program has supported seven cohorts equating to 46 startups and 90 founders, with over 90 per cent of alumni still operating.
In 2025, the companies continue to employ over 120 people locally, and have generated almost $10m in revenue, adding an estimated $36 million to South Australia’s economy.*
The current Venture Catalyst Space participants will graduate in November. From next year, the Venture Catalyst program will run under the Adelaide University banner - interested participants can register their interest through the existing UniSA website.
*Using average wage data for South Australia from the ABS (November 2024).
