International Astronautical Congress



The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is an annual meeting of the actors in the discipline of space science. It is hosted by one of the national society members of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), with the support of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). It consists of plenary sessions, lectures and meetings. The IAC is attended by the agency heads and senior executives of the world's space agencies.

As the Second World War came to an end, the United States and the Soviet Union held different and competing political worldviews. As the Cold War began to take shape, communication between the two countries became less frequent. Both countries turned their focus to achieving military superiority over the other.

Six years after the Iron Curtain fell, the IAF was formed by scientists from all over Europe in the field of space research in order to collaborate once more. During the years of the Space Race, the IAF was one of the few forums where members of both East and West Europe could meet during the annual IAC.

Founding Organizations

 * Argentina: Sociedad Argentina Interplanetaria (Argentianian Interplanetary Society)
 * Austria: Österreichische Gesellschaft für Weltraumforschung (Austrian Society for Space Research)
 * France: Groupement Astronautique Français (French Astronautic Group)
 * Germany: Gesellschaft für Weltraumforschung Stuttgart (Society for Space Research Stuttgart), Gesellschaft für Weltraumforschung Hamburg (Society for Space Research Hamburg)
 * Italy: Associazione Italiana Razzi (Italian Rocket Association)
 * Spain: Asociación Española de Astronáutica (Spanish Astronautical Association)
 * Sweden: Svenska Interplanetariska Sällskapet (Swedish Interplanetary Society)
 * Switzerland: Schweizerische Astronautische Arbeitsgemeinschaft (Swiss Astronautical Association)
 * United Kingdom: British Interplanetary Society
 * United States: American Rocket Society, Detroit Rocket Society, Pacific Rocket Society, Reaction Research Society

International Astronautical Federation Governance
The International Astronautical Federation is a non-profit non-governmental organization created in 1951. Under French law, the IAF is defined as a federation of member organizations where a General Assembly is responsible for making decisions.

IAF General Assembly
The IAF General Assembly is in charge of governing the Federation. Composed of delegates from every member organization, the assembly is responsible for voting to approve all major decisions regarding the Federation's rules and regulations as well as the acceptance of new member organizations. The General Assembly meets during the International Astronautical Congress.

IAF Bureau
The IAF Bureau sets the agenda of the IAF General Assembly, including: review of new member candidates; supervision of IAF activities; and supervision of IAF accounts. It is made up of:


 * The IAF President
 * The Incoming IAF President
 * The IAF Honorary Ambassador
 * 12 IAF Vice-Presidents
 * The IAF Executive Director
 * The IAF General Counsel
 * The IAF Incoming General Counsel
 * The IAF Honorary Secretary
 * The President of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)
 * The President of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL)
 * Special Advisor to the President

IAF Secretariat
This branch is in charge of running the administration of the Federation.

Locations of past and future International Astronautical Congresses (IAC)
International Astronautical Congresses are held in the late summer or fall months. In 2002 and 2012, the World Space Congress combined the IAC and COSPAR Scientific Assembly. The 2020 IAC was held virtually due to the global COVID pandemic.