International Astronautical Federation

What International Astronautical Federation does

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is a France-based non-profit international space advocacy organization founded in 1951, headquartered at 100 Avenue de Suffren, Paris. Under the motto "Connecting @ll Space People," IAF operates as a membership federation serving 604 member organizations across 82 countries, representing more than 35,000 space professionals spanning national space agencies (NASA, ESA, JAXA, CNSA, Roscosmos and others), private-sector space companies, research institutions, universities, and emerging space nations. Governance is provided by an elected President (Gabriella Arrigo) and an Executive Director (Dr. Christian Feichtinger), with day-to-day operations run by a lean secretariat of 1-10 staff, supported by volunteer contributions from the member base.

IAF's product surface is structured as a platform-plus-events architecture. Core offerings are flagship gatherings — the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the Global Conference series (GLOC on climate change, GLEX on exploration, GSOC on oceans), the IAF Spring Meetings, the Global Space Leaders Summit, the International Space Forum at Ministerial Level, the International Meeting for Ministers and Members of Parliaments, and the IAF Symposium — supplemented by the annual UN/IAF Workshop co-organized with UNOOSA. Publications include the IAF Digital Library, the IAF Highlights Journal, technical papers, newsletters, and the IAF Logbook. Programs supporting the ecosystem include the IDEA 3G Diversity Platform, the Next Generation initiative, the Abstract Mentor and Launchpad Mentorship programmes, the International Astronauts Chapter, and the Young Space Leaders Recognition.

The business model is event-driven and membership-based. Revenue streams comprise membership dues from 604 member organizations (recurring subscription), event registration and participation fees (delegate, exhibitor, and sponsorship) for the IAC and Global Conferences (one-time / event-based licensing), publications and digital access (recurring), and limited press accreditation services. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing and distribution are predominantly top-of-funnel via the IAF website, Flipboard, multi-platform social media (X, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Flickr), and video content, with events serving as the bottom-of-funnel conversion channel.

Name

International Astronautical Federation

Legal name

International Astronautical Federation

Website

https://iafastro.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is a non-profit space advocacy organization founded in 1951, connecting 604 member organizations across 82 countries through flagship events like the International Astronautical Congress, Global Conferences, publications, and programs that advance international cooperation in space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Industry Association and Advocacy Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Sport Federations (IFs) (MPAKAFAB), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Space advocacy organization
• Astronautical congress events
• Space industry conferences
• Space policy cooperation
• Space publications library

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Revenue generated from membership fees across 604 member organizations including space agencies, industries, research institutions, universities, and other space-related entities
2. Event Registration and Participation Fees: Fees from International Astronautical Congress and other global conferences including delegate registrations, exhibitor fees, and associated event participation
3. Publications and Digital Access: Revenue from IAF publications including the Highlights Journal, technical papers, newsletters, and access to the IAF Digital Library
4. Press Accreditation Services: Press accreditation for IAC events generates limited revenue through selective badge allocation to media professionals

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The International Astronautical Federation is a non-profit international membership organization that convenes the global space community through flagship events such as the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Global Conferences, and Spring Meetings, while producing publications (Highlights Journal, Technical Papers, Digital Library) and operating awards, mentorship, and diversity programmes. Its membership comprises 604 organizations across 82 countries, including space agencies, industry, academia, and research institutions, served through an event-driven engagement model supported by digital platforms.

Product overview

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) operates as a global space advocacy organization with a platform-plus-events architecture. Its core offerings include the prestigious International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and multiple specialized Global Conferences (GLOC, GSOC, GLEX), complemented by Spring Meetings and ministerial forums. The federation provides publications through its Digital Library and Highlights Journal, supports diversity through the IDEA 3G platform, and fosters next-generation talent via mentorship programmes and the Young Space Leaders Recognition. With over 604 member organizations in 82 countries representing more than 35,000 people, IAF serves as the world's leading space advocacy body under the motto 'Connecting @ll Space People', advancing knowledge about space and promoting global cooperation for the benefit of humanity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Rwanda Space Agency (RSA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Co-host of the 2nd Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026) in Kigali, Rwanda from June 2-4, 2026. This partnership marks the first time GLOC is held on African soil, reflecting Rwanda's growing profile as a science and technology hub in Africa and aiming to amplify underrepresented African perspectives in global space and climate policy.
• Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the first edition of the IAF Global Space and Oceans Conference (GSOC 2027) in the Maldives. MSRO is the first organization dedicated to advancing the space sector in the Maldives, committed to harnessing space science and technology to address challenges facing island nations in the era of climate change.
• Turkish Space Agency (TUA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye. IAC 2026 marks the first time the congress is hosted in Türkiye, co-hosted with SAHA Istanbul Aerospace Cluster.
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizers of the annual UN/IAF Workshop series. The 33rd workshop at IAC 2026 focuses on 'Space Economy Opportunities for Emerging Nations: Advancing Socio-Economic Resilience through Space Technologies and Applications'.
• SAHA Istanbul Aerospace ClusterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of IAC 2026 alongside Turkish Space Agency (TUA), representing the Turkish aerospace industry cluster.
• 604 Member Organizations across 82 countriescoreOthersThe federation's membership base includes all leading space agencies, industries, and research institutions worldwide, forming the core network that IAF connects and serves.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Committee on Space Research (COSPAR): Paris-based non-governmental organization fostering international space science research with similar membership model from national scientific institutions. Comparable as one of the principal international forums for space science cooperation alongside IAF.
• International Astronomical Union (IAU): Paris-headquartered non-profit membership organization of professional astronomers from over 90 countries, organizing General Assemblies and symposia. Directly comparable as a long-established international scientific union with similar federation-of-members structure.
• International Academy of Astronautics (IAA): Paris-headquartered sister organization of the IAF, conducting international space research cooperation through its own commissions, journals (Acta Astronautica), and conferences. Directly comparable as a non-profit international space body with complementary rather than overlapping mandate.
• The Planetary Society: Non-profit space advocacy organization with a global membership base that drives public engagement, education, and policy advocacy for space exploration. Directly comparable as a membership-funded space advocacy body.

Broad incumbents

• European Space Agency (ESA): Intergovernmental space agency with 22 member states, headquartered in Paris. IAF's membership includes national space agencies like ESA. Broader in mandate (operates programs) but parallel as an international space cooperation platform.
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA): Vienna-based UN body promoting international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, with which IAF co-organizes the annual UN/IAF Workshop. Comparable as a much larger intergovernmental space cooperation entity operating in the same ecosystem.
• Space Center Houston / Space Symposium (Space Foundation): U.S.-headquartered non-profit that runs the large annual Space Symposium industry conference and space education programs. Comparable as a global space industry convener, though more commercially oriented and U.S.-anchored.

Emerging players

• Secure World Foundation: Non-profit organization focused on sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space, hosting summits and policy forums. Partially comparable as an international space policy/conference organizer, though narrower in thematic focus.
• Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC): Non-profit representing university students and young professionals in the space sector, with UN consultative status. Comparable as a younger, niche international space network that complements IAF's Next Generation programme activities.

Regional players

• World Space Week Association: Non-profit coordinating UN-declared World Space Week (October 4-10 annually) with events in numerous countries. Comparable as a global space awareness/outreach organization with member-network characteristics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iafastro
• YouTubeyoutube.com/iafastro
• Facebookfacebook.com/iafastro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-astronautical-federation
• Instagraminstagram.com/iafastro
• TikToktiktok.com/@iafastro.space

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Astronautical Federation