{{Short description|International space advocacy organization}} {{Distinguish|Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|International Astronomical Union}} {{Use British English|date=January 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox organization | logo = International Astronautical Federation logo.svg | logo_size = 120px | formation = {{Start date and age|1951|}} | type = Non-governmental organization | purpose = Space advocacy | name = International Astronautical Federation | founding_location = Paris, France | location = Paris, France | num_members = 397 members from 68 countries | languages = English | website = {{URL|www.iafastro.org}} }}

thumb|upright=1.5|right|Map with countries hosting IAF members in blue

The '''International Astronautical Federation''' ('''IAF''') is an international space advocacy organization based in Paris, and founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization to establish a dialogue between scientists around the world and to lay the information for international space cooperation.<ref name="UIA">{{Cite web |url=https://uia.org/s/or/en/1100048409 |url-access= |title=International Astronautical Federation (IAF) |author1=Staff writer |year=2024 |department=UIA Global Civil Society Database |website=uia.org |publisher=Union of International Associations |agency=Yearbook of International Organizations Online |location=Brussels, Belgium |format= |arxiv= |asin= |bibcode= |doi= |doi-broken-date= |isbn= |issn= |jfm= |jstor= |lccn= |mr= |oclc= |ol= |osti= |pmc= |pmid= |rfc= |ssrn= |zbl= |id= |access-date=8 February 2025 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |via= |quote= |trans-quote= |ref= |postscript=}}</ref> It has over 390 members from 68 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, companies, universities, professional associations, museums, government organizations and learned societies. The IAF organizes the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.com/index.php/about|title=About Us|publisher=IAF|work=Iafastro website|access-date=11 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327092322/http://www.iafastro.com/index.php/about|archive-date=27 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{As of|2019|post=,}} Pascale Ehrenfreund has served as the president of the IAF.

== History == After World War II, Heinz Gartmann, Gunter Loeser, and Heinz-Hermann Koelle formed the German Rocket Society. They contacted the British Interplanetary Society (BIS) and Groupement Astronautique Français. The French group's leader, Alexandre Ananoff, organized the First International Congress for Astronautics in Paris, France, in September 1950. At the second congress in London, United Kingdom, in September 1951, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was organized; at the third congress in Stuttgart, West Germany, in 1952, the IAF constitution was adopted and the organization registered under Swiss Law.<ref name="ley196712">{{cite magazine|last=Ley|first=Willy|date=December 1967|title=Astronautics International|department=For Your Information|url=https://archive.org/stream/Galaxy_v26n02_1967-12_modified#page/n37/mode/2up|magazine=Galaxy Science Fiction|pages=110–120}}</ref>

== Events == === International Astronautical Federation Congress (IAC) === The IAC is a space event and the largest put on by the organization, with approximately 6,000 participants each year. A different member of IAF is selected by IAF each year to host the IAC. An annual event held in September or October, the congress includes "networking events, talks, and a technical program on advances in science and exploration, applications and operations, technology, infrastructure, and space and society."<ref name="Events for Iafastro">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/iac/|title=The International Astronautical Congress (IAC)|website=iafastro.org |publisher=IAC|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405050944/http://www.iafastro.org/events/iac|archive-date=5 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are side events including the annual IAF Workshop with the support of the United Nations, which takes place during the 2 days preceding the IAC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/iac/|title=IAC {{!}} IAF |website=iafastro.org|access-date=2020-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405050944/http://www.iafastro.org/events/iac|archive-date=5 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== IAF Global Conference === The IAF Global Conferences are organized annually. Each year they have a specific space-related topic and theme, and are held in alternating or new locations.<ref name="IAF or IAF, 2020">{{cite web |url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/|title=Events|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference}}</ref>

* Global Lunar Exploration Conference (GLUC 2010) in Beijing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/|title=Global Series Conferences|website=iafastro.org|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref> * Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2012) in Washington, D.C.<ref name="IAF for IAF, 2020">{{cite web|url=http://glex2012.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217043901/http://glex2012.org/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-12-17|title=Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2012)|date=2012|website=glex2012.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference}}</ref> * Global Space Applications Conference (GLAC 2014) in Paris <ref name="IAF for IAF, 2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glac-2014/|title=Global Space Applications Conference (GLAC 2014)|date=2014|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference}}</ref> * Global Space Innovation Conference (GLIC 2015) in Munich<ref name="IAF for IAF, 2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glic-2015/|title=Global Space Innovation Conference (GLIC 2015)|date=2015|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference}}</ref> * Global Conference on Space and the Information Society (GLIS 2016) in Geneva<ref name="IAF for IAF, 2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.glis2016.org/|title=Global Conference on Space and the Information Society (GLIS 2016)|date=2016|website=glis2016.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424182338/http://www.glis2016.org/|archive-date=24 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017) in Beijing<ref name="IAF for IAF, 2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/glex-2017/|title=Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017)|date=2017 |website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204182404/http://www.iafastro.org/glex-2017/|archive-date=4 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Global Space Applications Conference (GLAC 2018) in Montevideo<ref name="IAF for IAF, 2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glac-2018/|title=Global Space Applications Conference (GLAC 2018)|date=2018|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference}}</ref> * Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries (GLEC 2019) in Marrakesh<ref name="IAF for IAF, 2019">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glec-2019/|title=Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries (GLEC 2019)|date=2019|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419093022/http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glec-2019/|archive-date=19 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2021) in Saint Petersburg<ref name="IAF for IAF GLEX, 2020">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glex-2020/|title=Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2020)|date=2020|website=www.iafastro.org|publisher=IAF Global Conference|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113093352/http://www.iafastro.org/events/global-series-conferences/glex-2020/|archive-date=13 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== The International Space Forum at Ministerial Level (ISF) === The International Space Forum at Ministerial Level (ISF) is an event held by the organization.<ref name="ISF Forum for ISF, Year">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/international-space-forum-isf/ |title=THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE FORUM AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL (ISF)|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref>

The event was founded by the IAF Vice President for Science and Academic Relations in 2015. The gathering pushes discussion on the involvement of universities into space activities,{{Citation needed |date=January 2020}} and includes university ministers and delegates from space agencies and other international organizations. Keynote speakers focus on the event's selected theme for the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/international-space-forum-isf/|title=International Space Forum (ISF)|website=iafastro.org|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref>

* 2016 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level – ISF Trento<ref name="IAF for Ministerial, 2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/international-space-forum-at-ministerial-level-isftrento/|title=2016 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level|date=2016|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref> * 2017 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level, the African Chapter – ISF Nairobi<ref name="IAF for Ministerial, 2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/international-space-forum-the-african-chapter-isfnairobi/|title=2017 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level, the African Chapter – ISF Nairobi|date=2017|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref> * 2018 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level, the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter – ISF Buenos Aires<ref name="IAF for Ministerial, 2018">{{cite web |url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/international-space-forum-the-latin-american-chapter-isfbuenosaires/|title=2018 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level, the Latin American and Caribbean Chapter |date=2018|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref> * 2019 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level – the Mediterranean Chapter – ISF Reggio Calabria<ref name="IAF for Ministerial, 2019">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/international-space-forum-at-ministerial-level-the-mediterranean-chapter-isfreggiocalabria/|title=2019 International Space Forum at Ministerial Level|date=2019|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref>

=== Other === * '''IAF Spring Meetings''' <ref name="IAF Spring Meetings">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/iaf-spring-meetings/|title=IAF Spring Meetings|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref> - The IAF Spring Meetings gather every year in March the IAF community in Paris. For three days, IAF Administrative and Technical Committees meet and the International Programme Committee selects the abstracts to be presented during the year's IAC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/iaf-spring-meetings/|title=IAF Spring Meetings|website=iafastro.org|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref> * '''IAF International Meeting for Members of Parliament''' <ref name="IAF for Ministers, 2020">{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/other-iaf-events/|title=IAF International Meeting for Members of Parliaments|website=iafastro.org|publisher=IAF}}</ref> - annual meeting for members of parliaments, it acts as an informal forum to discuss space matters. Lasting one day, the events has a keynote speech, and all politicians are allowed to make statements on their home country's developments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/other-iaf-events/|title=Other IAF Events|website=iafastro.org|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref> * '''The IAF Workshop''' <ref>[http://www.iafastro.org/events/other-iaf-events/ The IAF Workshop]</ref> - Organized with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), this event "provides space emerging countries with capacity building opportunities in using space science, technologies, applications and exploration in support of sustainable economic, social and environmental development and on the role of industry".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/events/other-iaf-events/|title=Other IAF Events|website=iafastro.org|access-date=2020-01-29}}</ref>

== Awards == The IAF runs two large-scale awards schemes for young professionals and students: [https://web.archive.org/web/20200113091922/http://www.iafastro.org/activities/education/emerging-space-leaders-grant-programme/ The Emerging Space Leaders (ESL) Grants], and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20141205081010/http://www.iafastro.org/activities/honours-awards/young-space-leaders-recognition-programme-ysl/ Young Space Leaders Recognition] (YSL) Programme. This allows young people to attend the IAC free of charge, and have their travel, accommodation and costs paid whilst there.

Every year at the International Astronautical Congress, awards are given out: The main awards are the IAF World Space Award, the Allan D. Emil Memorial Award, the IAF Hall of Fame, the IAF Distinguished Service Award, the Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal, the Luigi G. Napolitano Award, the [https://www.iafastro.org/activities/next-generation/awards-for-students-young-professionals-and-educators/student-competition/international-student-competitions-past-winners.html AAAF Medals] and the [https://www.iafastro.org/activities/next-generation/awards-for-students-young-professionals-and-educators/student-competition/international-student-competitions-past-winners.html Hermann Oberth Medals].

=== World Space Award === {{main|World Space Award}} The '''World Space Award''' is designated by the IAF as its "most prestigious award" and as the organization's premier accolade, it is often described as the "world's highest aerospace award."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Federation |first=International Astronautical |title=IAF : IAF World Space Award |url=https://www.iafastro.org/activities/honours-and-awards/iaf-world-space-award/ |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=www.iafastro.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-19 |title=China's Tianwen 1 Mars mission wins top international aerospace award |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3193032/chinas-tianwen-1-mars-mission-wins-top-international-aerospace |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> The award is presented to an eminent individual or team at the IAC Congress, after a nomination process, that has made an "exceptional impact to the progress of the world space activities" by their outstanding contributions in the fields of space science, technology, medicine, law, or management.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Jones published |date=2020-10-15 |title=China's moon mission robots wake up for a 23rd lunar day as team snags major award |url=https://www.space.com/china-chang-e-4-moon-mission-lunar-day-23 |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Publications == The IAF publishes proceedings from its meeting electronically, along with studies undertaken by IAF committees,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iafastro.org/about/governance/iaf-administrative-and-technical-committees/|title=IAF Administrative and Technical Committees|access-date=2019-07-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211041510/http://www.iafastro.org/about/governance/iaf-administrative-and-technical-committees/|archive-date=11 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and other reports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iafastro.org/publications/|title=IAF Publications |publisher=IAF|access-date=December 5, 2022}}</ref>

== List of presidents == {| class="wikitable" |- ! No. ! Image ! President ! Country ! Start ! End ! Notes |- | 1 | 70px | Eugen Sänger | {{Flag icon|West Germany}} West Germany | 1951 | 1953 | Inaugural president |- | 2 | | Frederick Durant III | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 1953 | 1956 | |- | 3 | | Leslie Shepherd | {{Flag icon|GBR}} United Kingdom | 1956 | 1957 | |- | 4 | | Andrew Haley | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 1957 | 1959 | |- | 5 | | Leonid Sedov | {{Flag icon|Soviet Union}} Soviet Union | 1959 | 1961 | |- | 6 | | Joseph Pérès / Leslie Shepherd | {{Flag icon|FRA}} France / {{Flag icon|GBR}} United Kingdom | 1961 | 1962 | Pérès died February 1962; Shepherd completed the term |- | 7 | | Edmond Brun | {{Flag icon|FRA}} France | 1962 | 1964 | |- | 8 | | William H. Pickering | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 1964 | 1966 | |- | 9 | 70px | Luigi Napolitano | {{Flag icon|ITA}} Italy | 1966 | 1968 | |- | 10 | 70px | Elie Carafoli | {{Flag icon|ROU}} Romania | 1968 | 1970 | |- | 11 | | André Jaumotte | {{Flag icon|BEL}} Belgium | 1970 | 1972 | |- | 12 | 70px | Luigi Napolitano | {{Flag icon|ITA}} Italy | 1972 | 1974 | First person to be elected twice |- | 13 | | Leonard Jaffe | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 1974 | 1977 | |- | 14 | | Marcel Barrère | {{Flag icon|FRA}} France | 1977 | 1978 | |- | 15 | | Roy Gibson | {{Flag icon|GBR}} United Kingdom | 1978 | 1980 | |- | 16 | 70px | Luboš Perek | {{Flag icon|Czechoslovakia}} Czechoslovakia | 1980 | 1982 | |- | 17 | | Roger Chevalier | {{Flag icon|FRA}} France | 1982 | 1984 | |- | 18 | | Jerry Grey | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 1984 | 1986 | |- | 19 | | Johannes Ortner | {{Flag icon|AUT}} Austria | 1986 | 1988 | |- | 20 | | George Van Reeth | {{Flag icon|BEL}} Belgium | 1988 | 1990 | |- | 21 | | Álvaro Azcárraga | {{Flag icon|ESP}} Spain | 1990 | 1994 | |- | 22 | | Karl Doetsch | {{Flag icon|CAN}} Canada | 1994 | 1998 | |- | 23 | | Tomifumi Godai | {{Flag icon|JPN}} Japan | 1998 | 2000 | |- | 24 | | Márcio Barbosa | {{Flag icon|BRA}} Brazil | 2000 | 2004 | |- | 25 | | James Zimmerman | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 2004 | 2008 | |- | 26 | | Berndt Feuerbacher | {{Flag icon|GER}} Germany | 2008 | 2012 | |- | 27 | | Kiyoshi Higuchi | {{Flag icon|JPN}} Japan | 2012 | 2016 | |- | 28 | 70px | Jean-Yves Le Gall | {{Flag icon|FRA}} France | 2016 | 2019 | |- | 29 | 70px | Pascale Ehrenfreund | {{Flag icon|AUT}} Austria | 2019 | 2022 | First woman elected as president |- | 30 | | Clay Mowry | {{Flag icon|USA}} United States | 2023 | 2025 | |- | 31 | | Gabriella Arrigo | {{Flag icon|ITA}} Italy | 2025 | present | |- |}

== See also == {{Portal|Spaceflight}} * Manfred Lachs

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130830054955/http://www.iac2013.org/dct/page/1 International Astronautical Congress 2013] (archived) * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080726062445/http://www.iislweb.org/ International Institute of Space Law]}}

{{American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics}} {{Politics of outer space}} {{Authority control}}

Category:1951 establishments in France Category:Organisations based in Paris Category:Organizations established in 1951 Category:Space advocacy organizations