Sydney becomes cosmic capital as International Astronautical Congress lands

Sydney is set to become the cosmic capital these school holidays as the world’s biggest space event lands in the harbour city, complete with astronauts and engineers on a mission to show that space is much more than just a ticket to the moon.

NSW will become the centre of the universe this week as the global space community descends on Sydney for the International Astronautical Congress, dubbed the “Space Olympics”.

The massive event will bring over 12,000 visitors, including more than 8000 delegates from 90 different countries, highlighting how space technology impacts life on Earth.

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“It actually impacts on things like how we do farming, how we do emergency services,” organisers explained, emphasising the practical applications of space research.

Australia’s geography and climate also make it an ideal launchpad for rockets, as the nation carves out its orbit in the global space arena.

The country is developing Australia’s first lunar rover, named RUVA, which will travel to the moon later this decade.

The International Convention Centre will open its doors to the public this Friday, offering rare astronaut encounters that are already generating excitement among young visitors.

The International Astronautical Congress arrives as Australia continues to carve out its own niche in the global space arena. Credit: 7NEWS

“It was great. It’s important to have these sorts of things. I think they do really inspire young people and get them thinking bigger,” one parent said after meeting Australia’s first female astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, with her daughter.

“Twenty years from now, there’ll be a whole generation of young people. They got their first spark here,” added Bennell-Pegg.

A giant astronaut installation has appeared in Martin Place to mark the occasion, as astronauts from around the world touch down in Sydney — giving people who have sometimes only seen the city from space a chance to experience it on the ground.