ABOUT IAC 2021
Once a year the global space community, its major players, its leaders, its decision makers, come together in an iconic meeting of minds, to work towards the advancement, the betterment of all humankind.
High-level stakeholders from space agencies and institutions around the world come together under one roof to exchange information and ideas, to share developments and advances, to swap insights, strategies and rising trends.
The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the world’s premier space event. It is a one-of-a-kind assemblage, unmatched in scale and in scope, unequalled in its reach and its attendance, and in 2021, in a first for the country and a first for the entire region, it will be held in the UAE.
As official host of the seventy-first International Astronautical Congress — the IAC 2021 — the UAE will become the first-ever Arab country to host this annual, high profile gathering of the international space industry. Dubai will become the first city in the region to host the event in its seventy-year history.
We at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) are committed to making this event a resounding success. And we would like to invite you to be a part of this historic moment, to be a part of the UAE’s legacy.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Each year the IAC features a line-up of thematic plenary sessions, informative lectures, in-depth technical sessions and interactive workshops — there is certainly no dearth of opportunities to learn.
But the event also features an exclusive global networking forum, as well as a heavily attended space science exhibition, both meticulously tailored to encourage engagement.
Participating organizations can leverage their presence at IAC 2021:
Connect, network and build partnerships
The IAC is structured to maximise networking opportunities; its organizers place heavy emphasis on the creation of alliances and partnerships during the event’s run. IAC 2021 will provide a platform to network with the global space sector’s leaders across government, industry and academia, and to make critical business connections. It will allow for collaboration and cooperation on a domestic as well as an international level.
Showcase your organization
IAC 2021 will provide an opportunity for participating organizations to highlight their capabilities, their experience, their contributions and their innovations in the space sector and beyond to a wide spectrum of attendees and high-level representatives of international agencies.
Be a part of Dubai’s iconic 2021 line-up
The year 2021 is set to become a cornerstone in the nation’s history — millions of visitors and nearly 200 participating nations will coalesce in Dubai for the region’s first-ever World Expo. For the UAE’s space sector, it marks the moment in which years of hard work will come to fruition: the MBRSC will launch Hope Probe, its space-exploration spacecraft to Mars.
The city will attract delegates from around the world and become the site for several successful business-to-business interactions. We understand the value of strong partnerships and, at any event we host, we are committed to creating an environment conducive to the formation of such connections.
So as we prepare to become a meeting ground for the brightest and best from the international space sector, this is a unique opportunity for participating organizations to join us.
WHO WILL ATTEND?
Since its formation the IAC has grown into a site of collaboration and cooperation on multiple levels, and as such garners the presence of high-profile representatives from international space agencies and institutions.
The IAC draws in over 4000 participants from around the world each year — top space agency officials and delegations, astronauts, industry stalwarts, scientists and engineers, press and public, attend the congress in significant numbers.
IAC 2021 will attract:
- Heads of global space agencies, high-level officials and executives
- Policy and decision makers and legal experts
- Industry representatives and innovators
- Astronauts, scientists, engineers and specialists
- Researchers and academics
- Young professionals and students
- Members of the press
IAC 2021 will not just be a unique chance to meet and interact with these factions, but it is also a chance for organizations to showcase their developments and contributions in front of key representatives.
ABOUT IAF
Created in 1951 to foster dialogue between scientists around the world, and to support international cooperation in all space related activities, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) to this day continues to connect all space people through its congress, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). The Federation is the world’s leading space advocacy body with more than 390 members, including all key space agencies, companies, societies, associations, museums and institutes across 6 continents and 68 countries. Following its theme – “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity” and its motto “Connecting @ll Space People” , over 40 administrative and technical committees support the Federation in its mission to advance knowledge about space and to foster the development of space assets by facilitating global cooperation. As organizer of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), and other meetings on specific subjects, the IAF actively encourages the development of space for peaceful purposes and supports the dissemination of scientific and technical information related to space.
The International
Astronautical Federation
100 Avenue de Suffren
75015 Paris, France
Telephone: +33 145 674260
Email: info@iafastro.org
About MBRSC
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, founded in 2006, is home to the UAE National Space Programme. The Centre builds and operates earth observation satellites, offering imaging and data analysis services to clients around the world. The Centre launched DubaiSat-1, DubaiSat-2, and recently launched KhalifaSat on 29 October 2018 from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.
KhalifaSat was developed 100% in the UAE by a team of highly qualified Emirati engineers. The Centre is responsible for the development of the Emirates Mars Mission and the Mars Hope Probe, a mission to reach Mars orbit by 2021 and gather key science data about Mars’ atmosphere, as well as the UAE Astronaut Programme and the development of the Mars 2117 vision to build a human colony on Mars.
Supporting Organizations
International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)
The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) was founded in 1960 by Theodore von Karman. The Academy is an independent international community of leading experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space, the newest realm of human activity. To foster the development of astronautics, the Academy undertakes a number of activities, including the recognition of outstanding contributors through elections and awards. It also facilitates professional communication, develops and promotes new ideas and initiatives, engages the public, and fosters a sense of community among the members. The IAA is a unique nongovernmental organization established in 1960 and recognized by the United Nations in 1996. It is an honorary society with an action agenda. With 1200 elected members and corresponding members from 87 nations, it works closely with space agencies, industry, the academic community and the national science and engineering academies to determine needs and objectives and to help shape policy and forge cooperation by means of studies, position papers, conferences and publications.The IAA has published nearly 60 studies to date and is engaged in the preparation of 40 others. The Academy also publishes the journal Acta Astronautica ranked 5th in the world and containing refereed papers and four book series. The Academy now organizes 20 conferences per year and regional meetings focused on the development and promotion of new initiatives. This activity also includes, in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation and the International Institute of Space Law, the traditional contribution to the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), where the Academy sponsors 13 Symposia.
International Academy
of Astronautics (IAA)
6 Rue Galilée
75016 Paris, France
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1268-16 75766 Paris Cedex 16, France
Telephone: +33 147 238215
Fax: +33 147 238216
Email: sgeneral@iaamail.org
IAA shop: shop.iaaweb.org
The Academy also continues to enjoy its participation in the COSPAR Assemblies by sponsoring and co-sponsoring symposia and the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) congress this year in Prague. Although the IAA has many connections to these and other similar organizations, it is distinctive as the only international Academy of elected members in the broad area of astronautics and space.
International Institute of Space Law (IISL)
Founded in 1960, the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) is an independent non-governmental organisation dedicated to fostering the development of space law. The membership of the Institute is composed of individuals and institutions from more than forty countries elected on the basis of their contributions to the field of space law or other social sciences related to space activities. In addition, prospective membership is open to students and young professionals with a demonstrated interest in space law. The purposes and objectives of the IISL include the promotion of further development of space law and expansion of the rule of law in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the holding of meetings, colloquia and competitions on juridical and social science aspects of space activities, the preparation or commissioning of studies and reports, the publication of books, proceedings, reports and position papers, and the cooperation with appropriate international organisations and national institutions in the field of space law. The IISL holds an annual Colloquium at the International Astronautical Congress. During this Colloquium the Nandasiri Jasentuliyana Keynote lecture takes place, as well as a special session for Young Scholars. In addition the Institute organises a variety of conferences on space law throughout the year in locations all over the world. It publishes an annual volume of IISL Proceedings with papers and reports of all activities during the year. Since 1992, the IISL organises the annual Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition.
International Institute of
Space Law (IISL)
Email: info@iislweb.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spacelaw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iisl_space
The competition is based on a hypothetical space law case, written by IISL members, in which around sixty student teams from universities in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa participate. Members ofthe International Court of Justice judge the World Finals of the competition, making it unique in the world. The IISL is an officially recognized observer at sessions of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and its Scientific & Technical and Legal Subcommittees.
Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
The Space Generation Advisory Council in Support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications (SGAC) is a global non-governmental, non-profit organisation and network which aims to represent university students and young space professionals ages 18-35 to the United Nations, space agencies, industry, and academia.
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, the SGAC network of members, volunteers and alumni has grown to more than 13,000 members representing more than 150 countries.
SGAC was conceived at UNISPACE III in 1999, whereby states resolved, as part of the Vienna Declaration, "To create a council to support the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, through raising awareness and exchange of fresh ideas by youth. The vision is to employ the creativity and vigour of youth in advancing humanity through the peaceful uses space".
Space Generation
Advisory Council (SGAC)
SGAC Space Generation Advisory Council
c/o European Space Policy Institute
Schwarzenbergplatz 6
1030 Vienna, Austria
Email: info@spacegeneration.org
