Queensland’s space sector landed at The Precinct for the state’s first industry summit, Space QLD 2.0 on May the Fourth (aka Star Wars Day!). More than 220 delegates took part in the day’s events, which ranged from inspirational key notes and panel discussions, before concluding with a public event on ‘Why We Look Up’.
The Queensland space industry currently supports 2,000 full-time jobs, generates $760 million in annual revenue, and adds $500 million to the Gross State Product each year, and it is growing rapidly. With the assistance of the Queensland Government’s $8 million Space Industry Strategy, the ambition is to see the sector expand to between 4,000 and 6,000 jobs and contribute between $3.5 and $6 billion to the state's economy by 2036.
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport opened the event, which focused on the opportunities for the sector, ranging from potential collaborations and contracts in space exploration, local launch capabilities, workforce challenges, earth observation and XR applications. Speakers included Michael Elsperman, Director of Space Exploration, Boeing (USA); Gilmour Space CEO and Co-founder Adam Gilmour; Dr Kimberley Clayfield, Head of CSIRO’s Space Research Program; Dr Michael Smart, CTI and Head of R&D at Hypersonix; leading astrophysicist and cosmologist Tamara Davis AM and space ethicist Dr Evie Kendal to mention just a few. View the full program here.
Advance Queensland partnered with State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, with support from Boeing, Hypersonix, and BOC to develop and deliver the event, in a genuinely collaborated and generous partnership between all parties. Feedback from delegates at the event was overwhelmingly positive, with ideas for a second larger event for 2023 already in discussion.
