Registration has officially opened for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), which will take place from 5 to 9 October 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the event will be hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and co-hosted by the SAHA İstanbul Aerospace Cluster. The congress is widely regarded as the world’s leading global gathering for the space community, bringing together government agencies, industry leaders, researchers, startups and students from across the sector.
The 2026 congress will mark the first time the International Astronautical Congress has been held in Türkiye. Antalya, located on the country’s Mediterranean coast, was selected as the host city for its international accessibility, established conference infrastructure and growing role within the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Each year the congress attracts thousands of delegates and features technical sessions, industry exhibitions, networking events and discussions on the future of space exploration, commercial space activity and international collaboration.
The theme for IAC 2026, “The World Needs More Space”, highlights the growing importance of space technologies in addressing global challenges and supporting economic development. The programme is expected to focus on emerging technologies, new mission concepts, and policy discussions aimed at ensuring that space remains secure, accessible and cooperative.
As the global space economy continues to expand, the congress provides a platform for international dialogue and partnership across civil, commercial and defence space sectors. The event is also expected to showcase the latest developments in launch systems, satellite technologies, deep space exploration and applications of space data.
IAC has been held annually since 1950 and remains one of the most influential forums shaping the future direction of the global space industry.
Space & Defence New – Space and Earth Partners and Advisory are media partners to the IAC and IAF.
