The world’s space community is heading to Antalya for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), taking place from 5 to 9 October.
It is the first time Türkiye has hosted the major international gathering, bringing thousands of experts, researchers, companies and space agencies together.
Organised by the International Astronautical Federation and hosted by the Turkish Space Agency, the congress is centred on the theme “The World Needs More Space”.
Discussions will cover space exploration, security, sustainability and the need for international cooperation as more countries and private companies expand their activities beyond Earth.
The event also provides a platform for researchers, space agencies and businesses to exchange ideas, present new technologies and build partnerships.
Antalya, better known internationally for its tourism industry and Mediterranean coastline, is also home to universities and research institutions working in astronomy, space sciences and aerospace engineering.
For Türkiye, hosting the IAC is an opportunity to showcase its growing role in the global space sector while putting its space ambitions in front of an international audience.
The congress follows last year’s IAC in Sydney, where the focus was “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth”.
This year’s meeting shifts the conversation towards keeping space secure, accessible and sustainable for future generations.
IAC 2026 will combine technical sessions, plenary events, interactive presentations, exhibitions and networking programmes.
The technical programme is divided into five broad areas: science and exploration; applications and operations; technology; infrastructure; and space and society.
The programme will also look at subjects ranging from space exploration, astronomy and space debris to commercial space activity, technology, sustainability and the wider impact of space on society.
More than 8,300 abstracts from 108 countries were submitted, with the selected research being organised into 204 technical sessions.
Alongside the scientific programme, there will be plenary discussions and interactive sessions, giving policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and students opportunities to exchange ideas and develop partnerships.
The official programme also includes dedicated networking events and an exhibition showcasing the wider space ecosystem.
This breadth reflects the central message of IAC 2026: space is no longer only about exploration. It is increasingly connected to communications, Earth observation, security, climate resilience, scientific research and economic development, making international cooperation a central part of the discussions in Antalya.
📍 Antalya, Türkiye
📅 5–9 October 2026
#IAC2026 @iafastro @iac2026antalya
For more information visit: https://www.iafastro.org/events/iac/international-astronautical-congress-2026/
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