The 77th International Astronautical Congress closed in Antalya after drawing 7,604 delegates from 111 countries and 18,642 total participants, according to the Turkish Space Agency. Hosted in Türkiye for the first time, IAC 2026 ran from 5–9 October at the Antalya NEST Congress and Exhibition Center under the theme “The World Needs More Space.”
The congress was organised by the International Astronautical Federation under the coordination of Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, with the Turkish Space Agency as host and SAHA İstanbul as co-host. Beyond attendance, the event combined record scientific participation, new international agreements, startup and youth programmes, and a diplomatic initiative centred on the Antalya Declaration for Peace in Space.
Antalya Set New Participation Benchmarks for IAC
TUA’s post-event figures show 7,604 registered delegates representing 111 countries and 18,642 total participants across the congress. Public-facing activity contributed to the wider reach, including Public Day on 9 October, when more than 11,000 visitors attended the congress.
The scientific programme had already established a record benchmark. The International Astronautical Federation confirmed 8,330 abstract submissions from 108 countries, with Türkiye contributing 1,810 submissions and 674 accepted abstracts — the highest accepted total among participating countries.
Türkiye Put Its Space Programme on a Global Stage
IAC 2026 gave Turkish institutions an international platform to present national priorities ranging from lunar exploration and satellite development to launch systems and human spaceflight. TUA says Türkiye’s first lunar mission was presented in a dedicated session, while the technical programme also covered Moon and Mars missions, Earth observation, in-space manufacturing, artificial intelligence, space debris and traffic management.
The congress also hosted industrial announcements. Turkish Aerospace and ROKETSAN signed the HÜRSAT-2 project contract during IAC 2026, advancing what the companies describe as Türkiye’s first serially producible satellite family. That type of announcement illustrates the event’s role as an industrial marketplace as well as a scientific congress.
The Antalya Declaration Added a Diplomatic Outcome
One of the main diplomatic outputs was the Antalya Declaration for Peace in Space, adopted during the 16th Ministers and Parliamentarians Meeting on 4 October. TUA says the declaration was initially supported by 32 ministers, parliamentarians and space-organisation representatives from 21 countries.
The declaration calls for peaceful, secure and sustainable use of outer space, stronger international cooperation and fair access to the benefits generated by space activities. TUA describes the initiative as a first in IAC history and says it remains open to additional supporters.
TUA Added New International Cooperation Tracks
TUA used IAC 2026 to expand formal cooperation with international partners. A framework agreement with space organisations from member states of the Organization of Turkic States is intended to advance an existing joint CubeSat effort and provide a basis for additional projects.
TUA also signed a declaration of intent with the UK Space Agency. Separately, TÜRKSAT and China Satcom signed a protocol covering joint research and development, product development and commercialisation in space technologies.
Future Space and Beyond Orbit Expanded the Commercial Layer
IAC 2026 introduced the Future Space area for the first time in the congress’s history, combining next-generation space technologies, simulations and interactive experiences. The Beyond Orbit programme connected space startups with investors, industry, government institutions and international partners.
This commercial layer matters because Türkiye’s long-term space ambitions depend on more than government missions. A durable space ecosystem also requires venture formation, private capital, suppliers, customers and international industrial partnerships.
Astronaut Participation and Public Day Broadened the Audience
More than 40 astronauts attended the congress, according to statements cited by TUA. The programme included technical sessions, public meetings and a visit to Salda Lake, where geological similarities with Mars have attracted scientific interest.
Public Day brought more than 11,000 visitors to the venue. Astronaut autograph sessions, youth activities and the screening of Salda: A Bridge to the Red Planet helped move the event beyond a professional congress and into a broader science-engagement programme.
The IAF Network Expanded in Antalya
TUA reported that IAF President Gabriella Arrigo announced 51 new organisations joined the federation during the congress, taking membership above 621 organisations across 84 countries.
For Türkiye, the value of hosting IAC at this scale will ultimately be measured not only by attendance but by whether research links, startup contacts, industrial agreements and agency partnerships developed in Antalya mature into funded projects.
Aspendos Closed the Congress With a Partnership Message
The five-day programme concluded with a gala at the ancient theatre of Aspendos. Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır said the host country aimed to help scientists build research partnerships, companies meet new customers and suppliers, startups connect with investors, and space agencies explore joint missions.
Those objectives provide the clearest benchmark for judging IAC 2026 after the attendance records fade: whether the relationships and agreements initiated in Antalya develop into durable programmes in 2027 and beyond.
