The 7th Australian Defence Magazine Space Summit blasts off in Canberra on 18 February 2026.
This high-profile event will unite key players from government, industry, academia, and the pioneering world of space to explore Australia’s evolving space strategy and its role on the global stage.
With a focus on building a sovereign space industry and driving global collaboration, this summit is your chance to be at the forefront of the space revolution. Attendees will discover cutting-edge innovations in space technology, learn about game-changing national and international partnerships, and gain valuable insights on navigating the regulatory terrain.
Back for 2026! Four co-located events in one place!
The 7th ADM Space Summit will be co-located with the 23nd ADM Congress, the ADM AUKUS Pillar II Conference & ADM Defence Financing Summit. This unique convergence of events provides you with exclusive access to four powerhouse industry gatherings, all with just one registration. It’s the ultimate opportunity to engage with key decision-makers, industry experts, and thought leaders across defence, space, and international collaboration.
And that’s not all – we’ve got special rates for SMEs and academia, ensuring everyone can join in on the action. Department of Defence/ADF attend for free – see details below.
Get in early! The first 300 delegates to register will receive a complimentary seat at the ADM Congress Dinner, valued at $350 + GST. Don’t miss out on this exclusive chance to network, dine, and discuss the future of defence and space.
Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Welcome Reception Sponsor
Afternoon Tea Sponsor
Gala Dinner Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Charity Partner
Speakers
Duncan Blake
Lecturer – Space Operations, UNSW Canberra
Major General Greg Novak AM
Commander Space Command
Dr Malcolm Davis
Senior Analyst, ASPI
Chris Hewett
General Manager – Space Policy, Australian Space Agency
Jason Held
Chief Executive Officer, Saber Astronautics
David Ball
Director – Space, Lockheed Martin Australia
Sheryle Moon
General Manager – ACT, American Chamber of Commerce in Australia
A/Prof Melrose Brown
Director, UNSW Canberra Space
Associate Professor Eduardo Trifoni
Director – Space Test Program & Head – National Space Test Facility, Australian National University
Fred Pauling
Space Robotics Lead, CSIRO Robotics
Raj Kulshrestha
Chief Executive Officer, Space Machines Company
AGENDA | Wednesday 18th February
09:00
Opening remarks from the Chair
A/Prof Melrose Brown, Director, UNSW Canberra Space
09:10
KEYNOTE | Thriving in a Competitive and Unstable World: Challenges and Opportunities for Australia’s Space Sector
- Managing the impact of global geopolitical tensions on a contested space domain
- Australia’s role in ensuring stability
- Addressing vulnerabilities in space infrastructure
- The importance of innovation and collaboration to remain competitive in the global space economy
Chris Hewett, General Manager – Space Policy, Australian Space Agency
09:40
KEYNOTE | Securing Space: Challenges, Opportunities and the Future of Space Defence
- Threats to space security
- Strengthening strategic partnerships and join space operations
- Opportunities presented by space
- A vision for the future of space operations
Major General Greg Novak AM, Commander Space Command
10:10
Space as the Next Battlefield
- The strategic role of Defence in space
- Development of defensive and offensive space capabilities
- How will space integrate with land, air, sea and cyber in future conflicts?
Dr Malcolm Davis, Senior Analyst, ASPI
10:40
Morning Tea and Networking Break
11:10
PANEL | Emerging Threats in Space: Countering Adversarial Activities
- The rise of counter space capabilities such as anti-satellite weapons and electronic warfare
- Managing the growing challenge of space debris
- Risks posed by adversarial actions
Duncan Blake, Lecturer – Space Operations, UNSW Canberra
Jason Held, Chief Executive Officer, Saber Astronautics
David Ball, Director – Space, Lockheed Martin Australia
Moderator: A/Prof Melrose Brown, Director, UNSW Canberra Space
12:00
Ministerial Address |
The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry
12:10
FIRESIDE CHAT |
The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry
Ewen Levick, Publisher, Australian Defence Magazine
12:40
Lunch
13:45
PANEL | The Future of Space Robotics and AI
- Advances in robotics and AI for planetary exploration and satellite servicing
- The role of autonomous systems in space missions
- Australia’s contributions to robotics and AI in the space sector
Fred Pauling, Space Robotics Lead, CSIRO Robotics
Jason Held, Chief Executive Officer, Saber Astronautics
Raj Kulshrestha, Chief Executive Officer, Space Machines Company
Moderator: A/Prof Melrose Brown, Director, UNSW Canberra Space
14:25
Case Study | Future of Space Threat Detection and Response Coordination
Raj Kulshrestha, Chief Executive Officer, Space Machines Company
14:50
Research Infrastructure for the Experimental Development of Spacecraft
- Supporting the design, testing and prototyping of space technologies
- Developing talent and training future space professionals
Associate Professor Eduardo Trifoni, Director – Space Test Program & Head – National Space Test Facility, Australian National University
15:15
Afternoon Tea and Networking Break
15:45
The Missing Layer: Why Australia’s Space Future Will Be Won on Infrastructure, Not Satellites
- Australia’s space ambitions are outpacing its sovereign and commercial infrastructure base
- A convergence moment across geopolitics, commercial space, and technology makes infrastructure the strategic priority
- The national opportunity: dual-use communications, orbital resilience, and multi-domain space ecosystems
- How Terram Astra is being built as a platform to help operationalise that future
Sean Thomas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Terram Astra
16:10
PANEL | Inspiring the Next Generation: Education and Outreach in Space
- The importance of STEM education in building Australia’s space workforce
- Programs and initiatives to inspire young Australians to pursue space careers
- The role of universities and industry in workforce development
Sheryle Moon, General Manager – ACT, American Chamber of Commerce in Australia
Prof Ilyse Resnick, Director of the STEM Education Research Centre (SERC), University of Canberra
Moderator: A/Prof Melrose Brown, Director, UNSW Canberra Space
16:45
Closing Remarks from the Chair
A/Prof Melrose Brown, Director, UNSW Canberra Space
16:50
Networking Drinks
Charity Dinner
18 February 2026 – 6:30pm
Wrap up the day’s exciting discussions in style at the ADM Congress Charity Dinner. This evening offers the perfect opportunity to continue networking with fellow Congress attendees while supporting a great cause. Join key industry leaders, defence experts, and policymakers for an unforgettable night of conversation and charity.
Special Offer – First 300 conference delegates get a FREE seat at the dinner.
Speaker: Matt Anderson PSM, Director, Australian War MemorialPricing
Conference registration include includes access to:
- All four co-located conferences
- ADM Congress
- ADM Space Summit
- ADM Pillar II Conference
- ADM Defence Financing Summit
- Welcome Reception
- Post Conference Networking Drinks
- ADM Congress Charity Dinner *
*First 300 delegates get a FREE seat at the ADM Congress Dinner
Special rates:
- SME is defined as fewer than 200 global employees
- Micro SME is defined as fewer than 50 global employees
- Department of Defence / ADF attend the conference free. Please note this does not include a seat at the Charity Dinner. Simply register for the ADF/Dept Defence pass by emailing [email protected] and ensure you use your business email address.
| Packages | Full Rate |
| Conference pass – Standard Industry Rate | $3,095 + GST |
| Conference pass – SME, Govt & Academia Rate | $2,095 + GST |
| Conference pass – Micro SME Rate | $1,695 + GST |
| Additional Charity Dinner | $350 + GST |
| Charity Dinner – Table of 10 | $3,300 + GST |
| Charity Dinner – ADF & Dept Defence ONLY | $200 + GST |
Venue
Hyatt Hotel, Canberra
120 Commonwealth Ave
Canberra ACT 2600
(02) 6270 1234
Book accommodation with HotelMaps
To access the best available rate, book here.
Event Code Of Conduct
We want everyone who comes to our events to have a great experience. This code explains our expectations and rules, which includes general good practice behaviour, and how to report anything witnessed or experienced that goes against them. Read our Event Code of Conduct here.
Sustainability
Our Commitment to Sustainability
In Australia, we are committed to running our events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Across Informa we are focusing on the short and long-term sustainability impacts we have on customers and colleagues alongside the communities we work in.
We recognise that it’s not just about the way we produce our events and products but recognising that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve.
To read more on our latest sustainability reports and Faster Forward initiatives – click here.