SA to push space collaboration with France

The South Australian government wants to team up with France to take advantage of the growing international space sector.

Premier Jay Weatherill says he will discuss collaboration opportunities when he meets Jean-Yves Le Gall, the head of the International Astronautical Federation and President of the French Space Agency (CNES), on Thursday.

Mr Weatherill wants SA to lead the way in expanding the space sector in Australia.

Australia accounts for less than one per cent of the global space industry, which is worth about $323 billion.

"There is tremendous room for growth," Mr Weatherill said in a statement.

"It is our vision to position the state as a vibrant hub for future space activity and industry development."

The meeting comes ahead of Adelaide hosting the 68th International Astronautical Congress in September.

The congress is expected to attract about 4000 delegates from the world's space agencies, the commercial aerospace sector, universities and research organisations.