International Astronautical Federation
Encyclopedia
International Astronautical Federation (IAF), 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, government organizations and learned societies. Together, IAF members represent about 95% of the world's
national
-government
space budgets.
It is linked with the International Academy of Astronautics
and
the International Institute of Space Law
with whom the IAF organises the annual International Astronautical Congress
(IAC).
The most recent IAC occurred in Prague, Czech Republic between 27 September and 1 October 2010. (Selected papers are published in Acta Astronautica).
Working in close cooperation with the United Nations
, IAF organises annually the Space Workshop for Developing Nations. With the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute for Space Law, the IAF also conducts an annual survey of Highlights in Space for the United Nations.
Prof. Dr. Berndt Feuerbacher of Germany is currently the President of the IAF.
Every year at the International Astronautical Congress, three prestigious awards are given out: the Allan D. Emil Memorial Award
, the Franck J. Malina Astronautics Medal
and the Luigi G. Napolitano Award
.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. It was founded in 1951 as a non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
. It has 206 members from 58 countries across the world. They are drawn from space agencies, industry, professional associations, government organizations and learned societies. Together, IAF members represent about 95% of the world's
national
Nationality
Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state, usually determined by their citizenship, but sometimes by ethnicity or place of residence, or based on their sense of national identity....
-government
State (polity)
A state is an organized political community, living under a government. States may be sovereign and may enjoy a monopoly on the legal initiation of force and are not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Many states are federated states which participate in a federal union...
space budgets.
It is linked with the International Academy of Astronautics
International Academy of Astronautics
The International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
and
the International Institute of Space Law
International Institute of Space Law
The International Institute of Space Law was founded in 1960 as a spin-off from the International Astronautical Federation.The purposes and objectives of the Institute include the cooperation with appropriate international organisations and national institutions in the field of space law and the...
with whom the IAF organises the annual International Astronautical Congress
International Astronautical Congress
Every year, the International Astronautical Federation together with the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Institute of Space Law , holds the International Astronautical Congress which is hosted by one of the national society members of the IAF.They are an annual meeting...
(IAC).
The most recent IAC occurred in Prague, Czech Republic between 27 September and 1 October 2010. (Selected papers are published in Acta Astronautica).
Working in close cooperation with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, IAF organises annually the Space Workshop for Developing Nations. With the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute for Space Law, the IAF also conducts an annual survey of Highlights in Space for the United Nations.
Prof. Dr. Berndt Feuerbacher of Germany is currently the President of the IAF.
Every year at the International Astronautical Congress, three prestigious awards are given out: the Allan D. Emil Memorial Award
Allan D. Emil Memorial Award
The Allan D. Emil Memorial Award is presented every year at the Congress of the International Astronautical Federation.It has been presented annually, since 1977, for an outstanding contribution in space science, space technology, space medicine, or space law which involved the participation of...
, the Franck J. Malina Astronautics Medal
Franck J. Malina Astronautics Medal
The Franck J. Malina Astronautics Medal is presented every year at the Congress of the International Astronautical Federation.The Franck J. Malina Astronautics Medal is presented annually, commencing in 1986, to an educator who has demonstrated excellence in taking the fullest advantage of the...
and the Luigi G. Napolitano Award
Luigi G. Napolitano Award
The Luigi G. Napolitano Award is presented every year at the Congress of the International Astronautical Congress.It has been presented annually since 1993, to a young scientist under 30 years of age who has presented a paper at the International Astronautical Congress.The Luigi G...
.