International delegates flew into Perth for the Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference (IPSEC), a key event of Western Australia Space Week.

Ahead of the conference, more than 90 delegates attended a briefing hosted by Invest and Trade Western Australia.

It was an opportunity to showcase the local space sector and how Western Australia's world-leading technologies can be adapted for other industries.

Representatives from countries including Japan, the UK, India, the US, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, South Korea, Singapore, Canada and New Zealand attended the briefing.

WA's Science Minister Stephen Dawson provided the keynote address, promoting WA as the 'place for space', with strong capabilities in the sector.

He highlighted WA's focus on growing the state's capability to become an Indo-Pacific hub for space operations, exploration and technology transfer.

Minister Dawson said over the past 4 years, the WA Government had invested $95 million in the local space industry, as well as enabling science and research activities.

Rebecca Brown, Director General of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI), provided an economic overview of WA.

Rebecca then participated in a panel discussion with James Yuen, Executive Director of Innovation and Emerging Industries at JTSI and Gary Hale, Director of the National Resilience and Security Program Office, Curtin University.

Professor Martin J. Van Kranendonk, Head of the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, provided closing remarks, and opened the networking session by Curtin University.   

IPSEC 2024 followed on from the successful inaugural event in 2023.

Another key event during Space Week was the 30th edition of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF).

A joint APRSAF and IPSEC trade exhibition showcased innovations and partnerships throughout the week.

Published on: 06 December 2024

Space