AAO technology takes centre-stage at the world’s largest space showcase

Australian Astronomical Optics technology “was everywhere” – featuring across a broad range of exhibits as Sydney hosted the International Astronautical Congress from 29 September till 3 October 2025.

Scientists and engineers from Australian Astronomical Optics (AAO) represented Macquarie University’s growing influence in the global space sector during last week’s International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held at the ICC in Sydney. AAO’s exhibit joined a stellar lineup of Australian space industry leaders, including numerous current AAO partners. 

The team made their mark with a live demonstration of breakthrough satellite tracking technology held on Monday 29 September 2025.

“Holding the annual IAC event in Sydney was a great opportunity for Australia to display the growing capabilities of our local space industry to the entire world,” said Associate Professor Lee Spitler, Head of Space Projects at Australian Astronomical Optics, also named 2025 Australian Space Scientist of the Year a few months ago.

Partner organisations that featured AAO technology in the Congress exhibition space included the Australian Space Agency, Space Machines Company, Gilmour Space Technologies and NH Micro. Other AAO partners with exhibition space included space engineering firm Sitle and satellite mapping specialists Spiral Blue.

“This range of companies show a really diverse range of Australia’s end-to-end space capabilities, from precision manufacturing to orbital operations,” Associate Professor Spitler says.

NH Micro, a Sydney-based specialist in ultra-complex manufacturing, produced the optomechanical housing for AAO’s LUNA optical system – technology now qualified for the 2027 lunar mission.

A highlight of the week was AAO’s live demonstration of a satellite tracking camera prototype, drawing significant attention from conference delegates. The innovative imaging technology allows cameras to point in multiple directions without relying on spacecraft manoeuvres – a capability that could transform space-based observation systems.

Sydney-based Space Machines Company will incorporate an AAO imaging system on an upcoming mission.

AAO’s presence also reinforced its successful partnership with Gilmour Space Technologies, following the delivery of the Malya thermal camera system scheduled for launch next year. 

The all-Australian mission combines Gilmour’s rocket and satellite platform with AAO’s payload and Spiral Blue’s edge computing technology.

“This all-Australian mission showcases the growing capabilities of our local space industry, from Gilmour’s rocket and satellite to AAO’s payload and Spiral Blue’s computer,” said Kody Cook, Head of Satellites at Gilmour Space.

The conference appearance underscored AAO’s evolution from world-leading astronomical instrumentation to a key player in commercial space applications, leveraging five decades of precision optics expertise for the new space economy.