The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) is the One Space Event You Cannot Miss
For more than 75 years, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) has been the annual moment when the global space community comes together – not online, not in separate regional events, but in one place. It is where astronauts meet students, ministers meet entrepreneurs, engineers exchange ideas with industry leaders, heads of space agencies debate the future of exploration, and young professionals find themselves standing next to the people who inspired them to pursue a career in space.
If you have never attended the IAC before, 2026 is the year to discover why generations of space professionals return year after year. Ask anyone who has experienced the Congress: once you attend the IAC, you never want to miss it again.
Often described as the "Olympics of Space", the IAC is far more than a congress. It is the annual celebration of humanity's greatest adventure. It is where the world's space community reconnects, where lifelong collaborations begin, where contracts are signed, and where the next chapter of space exploration is written.
For over seven decades, the Congress has travelled across every inhabited continent – from Washington to Rio de Janeiro, from Cape Town to Sydney, across Europe and Asia – demonstrating that space has no borders. Every year, ten thousand of participants from every corner of the world gather under one roof with one shared purpose: advancing space for the benefit of humanity.
In 2026, that global community will meet in Antalya, Türkiye from 5 – 9 October 2026, marking the first time in history that the event will be hosted in Türkiye. Known for its rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, breathtaking Mediterranean coastline, and vibrant innovation ecosystem, Antalya will offer a unique backdrop to one of the world's most prestigious space gatherings. Organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) this year's edition of the IAC is hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and co-hosted by the SAHA Istanbul Aerospace Cluster.
The IAF: Uniting the Global Space Community
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) remains a neutral and inclusive platform for the global space community. With 82 countries united in the IAF network, the Federation continues to advance its strategy of uniting all space people, fostering diversity and strengthening international cooperation, even in challenging geopolitical times.
This strategy is translating into tangible results. Diversity is growing not only across gender and generations, but also through the active participation of both developed and emerging space nations, bringing different perspectives to the same table and ensuring that all voices are heard.
Space has also become an increasingly important strategic priority for governments, reflected in the growing engagement of policy decision-makers, with more than 40 ministers participating in the IAC events.
Where the Global Space Agenda Takes Shape
The Plenary Programme is the centrepiece of the International Astronautical Congress, bringing together the world's leading space decision-makers, astronauts, government representatives, industry executives, scientists, and innovators.
The programme also includes the prestigious Highlight Lectures and the highly anticipated Late Breaking News sessions, where major missions, scientific discoveries, and technological breakthroughs are presented to the global space community.
Complementing the plenary events, the IAF Global Networking Forum (GNF) offers an interactive platform dedicated to today's most relevant space topics.
The Largest Technical Programme in IAC History
Under the theme "The World Needs More Space", IAC 2026 will present one of the largest Technical Programme ever assembled in the history of the Congress.
With a record-breaking of 8325 abstract submissions from a record of 108 countries, this year's results set a new benchmark of 4077 accepted abstracts and 542 strong back-ups, and lay the foundation for what promises to be the largest and most globally engaged IAC in history.
All accepted presenters have been matched across a record-breaking 204 technical sessions, plus daily large-scale Interactive Presentations Sessions.
Where the world's space leadership gathers
The Congress will convene the IAF flagship high-level events, including the IAF International Meeting for Ministers and Members of Parliaments (MMoP) and the IAF Global Space Leaders Summit (GSLS). These exclusive gatherings will bring together ministers, heads of space agencies, and global decision-makers to discuss how space can help address Earth's greatest challenges while shaping humanity's future beyond our planet.
More Than Networking – A Global Experience
Start your morning with a Heads of Space Agencies' panel, listening to the leaders of the world's major space agencies unveil their vision for the future, and ending the day shaking hands with an astronaut who has walked in space or lived aboard the International Space Station.
The IAC is where the biggest names in the global space sector come together. Heads of the world's leading space agencies, ministers, CEOs of major aerospace companies, pioneering entrepreneurs, renowned scientists, mission leaders, and more than 25 international astronauts gather under one roof – not behind closed doors, but as part of a truly open international community.
You may find yourself asking a question during a technical session, exchanging ideas over coffee, attending an autograph session with an astronaut, or discussing the future of exploration with the very people leading the next lunar mission.
If you have never attended before, this is your invitation.
And if you have, you already know why the IAC remains the one event that the international space community marks first in its calendar. Join us in Antalya for IAC 2026 – where the world comes together for space!
#IAC2026 #iafastro
Founded in 1951, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is the world's leading space advocacy body with more than 500 members in 77 countries, including all leading space agencies, industries, research institutions, universities, societies, associations, institutes and museums worldwide.
Following its motto "Connecting @ll Space People" and its vision of "A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity", the Federation advances knowledge about space, supporting the development and application of space assets by promoting global cooperation. As organizer of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC) – world's premier global space event – and other thematic events, the IAF actively encourages the development of space activities for peaceful purposes and supports the dissemination of scientific and technical information related to space.
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