Exploring the Future of Space Sustainability: IAC 2024

The 75th International Astronautical Congress in Milan was a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue about the role of space exploration in building a sustainable future. For companies like BWI, IAC 2024 offered a glimpse into how space data can revolutionize hydrological monitoring and contribute to a more sustainable world.

Our Space Systems Engineer, Annie Puchot, represented BWI by attending the International Astronautical Congress, or simply “IAC”. This annual event brings together key global space actors—policymakers, researchers, industry professionals, and visionaries—to share ideas and shape the future of space exploration. The IAC is an essential and renowned platform for discussions on the current and future directions of space exploration and its responsible exploitation.

Responsible Space for Sustainability

The 75th edition of the event, themed “Responsible Space for Sustainability”, took place in Milan, Italy, from October 14 to 18, 2024. Co-hosted by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Leonardo, Italy’s leading aerospace company, the event underscored the need for responsible stewardship of space resources. What’s more, the IAC 2024 also coincided with Italy’s 60th anniversary of the launch of San Marco, its first satellite—marking a key milestone as Italy became the third country globally, and the first in Europe to launch a satellite.

The Structure of IAC 2024

IAC 2024 featured an impressive blend of exhibitions and conferences, allowing attendees to interact with space-sector companies while participating in deep discussions on emerging trends and technologies. The conferences explored a vast spectrum of topics, such as lunar satellites, in-space propulsion systems, Earth observation, and small satellites.

Focus on Space Sustainability and Hydrological Solutions

The theme of responsible space exploration aligned with the growing need to address sustainability in both terrestrial and extraterrestrial activities. Consequently, a key focus of many discussions was on the sustainable operation of space systems. Many conferences delved into how satellite data can be leveraged for critical applications such as agriculture, cultural development in Africa, and flood prediction.

For BWI, many conferences offered valuable insights, especially around cutting-edge approaches to monitoring the Earth’s water cycle—a key area of our focus. Presentations highlighted a range of solutions, from urban models to global-scale systems, many of which leverage satellite imagery to assess soil moisture and monitor complex river networks.

On top of that, the IAC 2024 introduced attendees to new open-data platforms, such as GEODES, which promises to make space-based data more accessible for a variety of applications. Many sessions also referenced the SWOT mission (Surface Water and Ocean Topography), a joint NASA and CNES satellite project. SWOT’s radar altimeter technology offers unprecedented precision in tracking rivers, providing data on river slopes and allowing for the mapping of smaller rivers (down to 10–20 meters in width).

Last but not least, IAC 2024 fostered collaboration among major and growing international players in the space industry, providing a platform for networking and idea exchange. Annie had the opportunity to engage with fellow residents of Aerospace Valley,  not only by visiting their booths but also by attending their pitches. Networking went beyond, with events like the European Space Investor Day, which brought together key investors and startups working on the next generation of space technologies.