Astronauts land in Adelaide

AUSTRALIA’S role in international space exploration has hit the headlines this week as more than 3,000 delegates converge on Adelaide for the 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC).

Starting today, the event will be the largest conference held in the South Australian capital this year and the first to make use of the newly opened East Building at the Adelaide Convention Centre, part of a $397 million redevelopment.

Among delegates attending the five-day congress are Australian astronaut Dr Andrew Thomas and billionaire space entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The event has already raised debate around a future Australian space agency, the topic of a current Federal Government review.