Sydney to host prestigious space science conference

Australia will host the Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), said to be the world’s largest space conference, in the year 2020. It will be the second time the event has been hosted in the Southern Hemisphere since 1974.

The 43rd edition of the prestigious conference will be held at Sydney’s new International Convention Centre, which won the bid ahead of Shanghai, Prague, Valencia and Lausanne. According to Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of Business Events Sydney, the bid was helped by factors such as Australia’s clear, dark skies and ownership of one-eighth of the world’s land mass.

“Australia is the perfect choice to host COSPAR,” said Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Greg Hunt. “We have some of the world’s best researchers, a long history of space science and research, and we back this up with our ongoing commitment, investment and operation of major space infrastructure right across the country.”

The conference will see up to 3000 international experts join local scientists and astronomers to explore future space missions and investigate trade, research and development opportunities. According to NSW’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, the event will see more than $10 million injected into the economy, as well as the opportunity for new trade and investment deals.

Professor Russell Boyce, director of UNSW Canberra’s space program, said Australia’s bid to host COSPAR was “led by the Australian Academy of Science and the University of New South Wales, with the strong support of the Australian space research community and Business Events Sydney”. Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO, was also behind the bid.