What is the International Astronautical Congress?
The IAC is the one place and time of the year where all global space actors come together. The event attracts more than 6,000 participants each year. Covering all space sectors and topics, it offers everyone the latest space information and developments in academia and industry, networking opportunities, contacts and potential partnerships.
Each year, the IAC changes country, theme and local organizer, enabling all to learn more about, and be a part of the world space scene.
International Astronautical Congress 2021
For the very first time, the IAC will open its doors to the global space community in the United Arab Emirates, the first Arab country to host the IAC since its establishment in 1950.
The IAC 2021 Host Organization – the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) – member of the IAF since 2012, was established by the Dubai Government to serve as one of the main pillars to drive the establishment of the knowledge economy and sustainable development in the UAE.
The IAC 2021 comes to the UAE at a fortuitous juncture: it will follow closely on the heels of the launch of the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe), the Arab’s first space exploration craft to Mars. It will also mark the anniversary of the return of the first Emirati astronaut from the International Space Station, and the second anniversary of the launch of KhalifaSat — the first Earth-observation satellite to be produced wholly by Emiratis. These achievements are symbolic of the beginning of a new era in the region; the IAC 2021 will be an opportunity to shed light on how space science and technology can contribute to a nation’s progress.
Plenary Events
- Heads of Agencies
- Expedition 60/61 reunion
- Small satellites solving climate challenges
- Mars 2020: First steps towards Mars sample return
- Heads of emerging agencies
- Innovative space solutions for search and rescue and life saving applications
- Next generation impact on social responsibility in space
IAF Global Networking Forum
The new IAF GNF Call for Proposals is now open!
Today, the IAF GNF represents one of the Federation’s most successful endeavours involving stakeholders, policy-makers and decision-makers, experts and young professionals in the global conversation about the future of space activities. The IAF GNF will provide you the opportunity to increase your visibility by attracting a wide audience and featuring a varied programme, panel discussions, networking sessions and social events. The aim of the IAF GNF is to provide Congress participants with a varied programme throughout the week, touching upon the most recent and hot topics in space, and to provide a one-of-a kind visibility experience for the organizers.
The IAF GNF sessions will be selected and placed thematically within the overall programme, and will be divided in three timeslots: 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes.
Additionally, don’t forget that you can actively support the GNF by sponsoring your session!
