International Academy of Astronautics
Encyclopedia
The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space
. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm
(Sweden
) on August 16, 1960.
The IAA works towards promoting the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a related branch of science or technology and provide a programme through which members may contribute to international endeavors for the advancement of aerospace science. It works closely with the International Astronautical Federation
, national and international space agencies.
The Academy's beginning was led by Dr. Theodore von Karman
, one of the most important figures in the evolution of rocketry, and the IAA's first president. Prof. Edward C. Stone
held the post until October 2009. Dr. G. Madhavan Nair
, the chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation
was elected as the new president of the International Academy of Astronautics in August 2009. He is the only India
n and the first non-American to head the IAA. Nair will be the IAA president till 2011.
The IAA publishes the monthly journal Acta Astronautica, published by Elsevier
Press, which "covers developments in space science technology in relation to peaceful scientific exploration of space and its exploitation for human welfare and progress, the conception, design, development and operation of space-borne and Earth-based systems".
Space
Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...
. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
(Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
) on August 16, 1960.
The IAA works towards promoting the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a related branch of science or technology and provide a programme through which members may contribute to international endeavors for the advancement of aerospace science. It works closely with the International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation
International Astronautical Federation , the world's foremost space advocacy organisation, is based in Paris. It was founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization. It has 206 members from 58 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, industry, professional associations,...
, national and international space agencies.
The Academy's beginning was led by Dr. Theodore von Karman
Theodore von Karman
Theodore von Kármán was a Hungarian-American mathematician, aerospace engineer and physicist who was active primarily in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics. He is responsible for many key advances in aerodynamics, notably his work on supersonic and hypersonic airflow characterization...
, one of the most important figures in the evolution of rocketry, and the IAA's first president. Prof. Edward C. Stone
Edward C. Stone
Edward Carroll Stone is a professor of physics at Caltech, space scientist, and former director of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory .-Caltech:...
held the post until October 2009. Dr. G. Madhavan Nair
G. Madhavan Nair
G. Madhavan Nair is the former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation and Secretary to the Department of Space, Government of India since September 2003. He is also the Chairman, Space Commission and acts as the Chairman of Governing Body of the Antrix Corporation, Bangalore...
, the chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
was elected as the new president of the International Academy of Astronautics in August 2009. He is the only India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n and the first non-American to head the IAA. Nair will be the IAA president till 2011.
The IAA publishes the monthly journal Acta Astronautica, published by Elsevier
Elsevier
Elsevier is a publishing company which publishes medical and scientific literature. It is a part of the Reed Elsevier group. Based in Amsterdam, the company has operations in the United Kingdom, USA and elsewhere....
Press, which "covers developments in space science technology in relation to peaceful scientific exploration of space and its exploitation for human welfare and progress, the conception, design, development and operation of space-borne and Earth-based systems".