In an exciting collaboration, the Sydney Science Festival is set to launch a space-themed edition this spring, offering a unique experience for space enthusiasts and curious minds alike. Presented by the Powerhouse Museum, the festival will run from Saturday, September 27 to Saturday, October 4, coinciding with the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) for IAC 2025 Space Week. This marks the first time the world’s largest annual space gathering is landing in Sydney, bringing the global space community to the Harbour City.
The festival promises an array of free and ticketed talks, workshops, interactive experiences, and family-friendly activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to record their own messages for a deep-space broadcast, meet real-life astronauts, and explore the wonders of space without the need for a rocket.
HUMANS Deep Space Message: A New Chapter
In 1977, NASA’s Voyager spacecraft carried the first Golden Records into deep space, serving as a time capsule to communicate information about Earth and its inhabitants. Now, fifty years later, the Humanity United with MIT Art and Nanotechnology in Space project — or HUMANS — invites people worldwide to contribute their voices to a new deep-space broadcast scheduled for 2027.
Participants can share messages of hope, cultural insights, or simply greet the cosmos. These recordings can be made at Sydney Science Festival events held at ICC Sydney, Parramatta Town Hall, or online from anywhere on Earth.
Space Now: Innovations Shaping the Future
What does the future of space missions hold, and why is it significant for life on Earth? The “Space Now” segment of the festival brings together three global leaders to discuss innovations shaping the new space age. Katherine Bennell-Pegg, an Australian astronaut at the Australian Space Agency, Hannah Ashford, Co-Founder of The Karman Project, and Sami Raines, Senior Engineer at ELO2, will share insights on collaboration, technology, and exploration in a rapidly evolving space landscape.
“The new space age is not just about exploration; it’s about creating sustainable solutions for challenges on Earth,” said Katherine Bennell-Pegg.
Astronauts Forum: Stories from Space
For those intrigued by life in space, the Astronauts Forum offers an unmissable opportunity. Hosted by Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australia’s first qualified astronaut, the forum will feature conversations with spacefarers from NASA, the Australian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, AXIOM, SpaceX, and more. Attendees can expect riveting stories of zero-gravity science, life aboard spacecraft, and the emotional journey of returning to Earth after orbit.
Lunar Horizons in Fortnite: A Virtual Moon Mission
No spacesuit is required for this mission. “Lunar Horizon” invites participants to explore a realistic moon landscape in a custom Fortnite mission created by Hassell, Epic Games, and the European Space Agency. This interactive experience combines gaming, architecture, and science, allowing players to gather resources to build a lunar habitat while learning about real-life missions and the future of human space exploration. This event is recommended for ages 15 and up.
Science of Space: Impact on Earth
The “Science of Space” day offers something for all ages, featuring talks that explore how space science is influencing life on Earth. Leading experts and creatives will delve into breakthroughs in space food, commercial spaceflight, cosmic art, and automation. Space nutritionist Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore, AI pioneer Michael Kemeny, visionary designer Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, and commercial astronaut Dr. Chris Boshuizen will unpack the future of our cosmic frontier.
“Space science is not just about reaching new frontiers; it’s about enhancing life here on Earth,” said Dr. Flávia Fayet-Moore.
The Sydney Science Festival, presented by Powerhouse, will take place across various Sydney venues from Saturday, September 27 to Saturday, October 4. For more information and full program details, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the Sydney Science Festival website.
