Türkiye’s Mediterranean city of Antalya is preparing to host one of the world’s largest gatherings of the space community as the International Astronautical Congress comes to the country for the first time.
The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) will take place from October 5 to 9 at the NEST Congress Center.
Organised by the International Astronautical Federation under the coordination of Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, the congress will be hosted by the Turkish Space Agency and co-hosted by SAHA Istanbul.
The annual event brings together space agencies, scientists, engineers, companies, policymakers, entrepreneurs and students from around the world.
IAC 2026 has already set a record, receiving more than 8,330 abstract submissions from 108 countries — the highest number in the congress’s history.
Türkiye submitted 1,810 abstracts, the largest contribution by a single country.
Türkiye seeks global space partnerships
The international turnout comes as space technologies play an expanding role in communications, satellite services, security, climate monitoring and advanced manufacturing.
For Türkiye, the congress will provide an opportunity to connect its developing space and aerospace industries with global companies, institutions and research networks.
SAHA Istanbul, the congress’s co-host, represents more than 1,300 companies and 30 universities across Türkiye’s defence and aerospace industries. It also runs the National Space Industry Committee (MUEK).
SAHA Istanbul Secretary General Muttalip Tutuncu said the congress should be viewed as more than an international event hosted by Türkiye.
“IAC 2026 gives us a rare opportunity to bring the global space community together with Türkiye’s industrial and technological capabilities,” Tutuncu said.
He said Türkiye had developed capabilities in defence, aviation, advanced manufacturing, electronics, software and autonomous technologies that could be applied to the space industry.
“Our aim is to use this gathering to build real connections between companies, researchers and institutions and to create partnerships that continue long after the congress ends,” Tutuncu said.
From Artemis to lunar exploration
Held under the theme “The World Needs More Space”, IAC 2026 will feature technical sessions, high-level meetings, exhibitions and industry events covering the scientific, commercial and policy dimensions of space.
The Beyond Orbit programme will connect space startups with international investors and industry leaders, with a focus on investment, technology commercialisation and strategic partnerships.
The fifth annual high-level meeting of the NASA-led Artemis Accords will also take place during the congress. Türkiye is a member of the accords, which focus on cooperation in lunar and deep-space exploration.
The congress comes as Türkiye advances its National Space Programme and seeks to expand its role in international space cooperation.
As part of the programme, Türkiye aims to launch a spacecraft developed by TUBITAK UZAY in the first half of 2027, with a domestic content rate exceeding 80 percent.
Building on technologies and engineering capabilities developed through the IMECE and TURKSAT 6A satellite projects, Türkiye is also advancing its lunar exploration ambitions.
For five days in October, Antalya will serve as a meeting point for governments, industry and scientific institutions working on the next phase of the global space economy.
