In this essay, Hannah Dalgleish looks at astronomy as a global scientific endeavour, exploring the culture of astronomers and their collaborations, and how these relationships have developed over time. The essay shows how astronomy has generated intercultural encounters throughout its history. It goes on to explore how the discipline has emerged today as a site for international development co-operation. It considers what this tells us about cultural relations, with a particular focus on South Africa and the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy programme.