Media Advisory: ESA at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye

The European Space Agency (ESA) will participate in the 77^th edition of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), taking place at the Nest Congress and Exhibition Centre in Antalya, Türkiye, from 5 to 9 October under the theme "The World needs more Space".

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher will attend the Congress and participate in the traditional Heads of space agencies plenary. Members of ESA leadership and technical experts will also be present throughout the event and available for media discussions and individual interviews (subject to availability).

Every year, IAC brings together thousands of participants from across the global space community. More than 6 000 participants are expected to attend this year's edition. ESA will join international partners, space agencies, industry representatives, academics and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of space activities and cooperation. IAC 2026 is expected to address topics including space security, exploration, and the ethical implications of activities beyond Earth.

ESA's Director General, Directors, astronauts and experts will participate in plenary sessions, the Global Networking Forum and the technical programme throughout the week.

ESA will also be present with an exhibition "Elevating the Future of Europe" in the exhibition area, Hall 1, booth 1B-02. The exhibition will showcase ESA Strategy 2040, highlighting recent achievements and upcoming launches, with a particular focus on missions developed in cooperation with international partners.

Media attending the Congress are warmly invited to visit us and meet with ESA representatives on site.

Further details on the programme will be available closer to the event.

Registration:

Journalists are invited to register for the event here: PRESS ACCREDITATION

Contacts:

Interview requests for ESA Director General:

Barend Leyts [email protected]

All other media requests:

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations [email protected]

Images

ESA's Photo Library for Professionals:

https://www.esa-photolibrary.com/

Terms and conditions for using ESA images

For questions or more information related to ESA images, please contact directly [email protected].

Videos

ESA's Video Library for Professionals:

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos

Terms and conditions for using ESA videos

For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly [email protected]

Social media

Follow ESA on:

X: @esa 
Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency
Instagram: @europeanspaceagency
YouTube: ESA
LinkedIn: European Space Agency - ESA
Pinterest: European Space Agency - ESA

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with three other Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int