International Astronautical Federation

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is an international space advocacy organisation founded in 1951, when scientists from the field of space research gathered to ensure a constant dialogue between space nations regardless of political turmoil. A non-profit, non-governmental organisation set up under French law, it has 604 members from 82 countries, including space agencies, companies, research institutions, universities, societies, associations and institutes, and its secretariat is based at 100 Avenue de Suffren in Paris. Its motto is Connecting @ll Space People and its theme is a space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity. In 2026 the IAF celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Events

• The International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the annual event where global space actors come together, attracting more than 6,000 participants each year and changing country, theme and local organiser every edition; the 77th IAC brought 7,604 delegates from 113 countries to Antalya, Turkiye, from 5 to 9 October 2026
• The IAF Global Space Leaders Summit, the International Space Forum at Ministerial Level (ISF), the IAF International Meeting for Ministers and Members of Parliaments (MMoP), the IAF Spring Meetings and the IAF Global Space and Oceans Conference 2027 (GSOC 2027)
• Programmes including the IAF International Astronauts Chapter, the IAF Launchpad Mentorship Programme and the Space: the Big Picture initiative, plus affiliated events such as the 14th International Scientific Conference on Development Trends in Space Propulsion Systems

History and governance

During the Space Race the Federation and its congresses were among the few forums where East and West could meet. Its founding members signed the IAF Constitution on 4 September 1951 during the second IAC in London and included the Argentine Interplanetary Society, the Austrian Society for Space Research, the French Astronautic Group, the societies for space research in Stuttgart and Hamburg, the Italian Rocket Association and the Spanish Astronautical Association. The IAF General Assembly, composed of delegates from each member organisation, is the supreme governing body, supported by an IAF Bureau, administrative and technical committees that select IAC papers during the Spring Meetings, and regional subcommittees for Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia and Asia Pacific. The Federation also awards honours such as the Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal and maintains a digital library.

Shows

The International Astronautical Federation appears in the sponsor lists of the Space Symposium 2027, where it is listed as a co-sponsor.

Contact

Secretariat: 100 Avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris, France, phone +33 1 45 67 42 60
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