Antalya is preparing to host the 77th International Astronautical Congress from October 5 to 9, 2026, marking the first time Türkiye will host the global space gathering at the NEST Congress Center under the theme The World Needs More Space.
Türkiye’s Mediterranean hub is set to become the epicenter of international space diplomacy as agencies, scientists, astronauts, and industry leaders converge for IAC 2026. Organised by the International Astronautical Federation under the coordination of Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, the annual event will be hosted by the Turkish Space Agency and co-hosted by SAHA Istanbul, according to official reports.
Record-Breaking Abstract Submissions from 108 Countries
Ahead of the October summit, the event has already broken participation records by receiving more than 8,330 abstract submissions from 108 countries. Out of that total, Türkiye submitted 1,810 abstracts, marking the largest contribution by a single country to the congress.
The gathering brings together diverse voices from the global aerospace community, including policymakers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and students. For Türkiye, the congress provides a strategic gateway to connect its developing space and aerospace sectors with international research networks and global companies. SAHA Istanbul, which represents over 1,300 companies and 30 universities across the nation’s defence and aerospace industries alongside its National Space Industry Committee, sees the event as a vital bridge.
Muttalip Tutuncu stated that IAC 2026 provides a rare opportunity to bring the global space community together with Türkiye’s industrial and technological capabilities.
Daily Life Reliance on Space Technology
As international delegations prepare to meet in Antalya, experts emphasize that space operations have moved far beyond theoretical exploration. Prof. Dr. Hanspeter Schaub of the Colorado Boulder University Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department noted that space infrastructure directly shapes daily routines on Earth, from weather tracking to natural disaster monitoring.
Highlighting the ubiquity of satellite systems, Schaub explained that navigation and communication in remote regions, oceans, and deserts rely on space-based frameworks. Most of the time we do not even realize it while carrying on with our daily lives on Earth, Schaub stated, adding that modern existence depends heavily on these technologies.
Global Collaboration for Shared Challenges
International leaders at the upcoming congress stress that space assets require cross-border cooperation rather than isolated national efforts. Prof. Dr. Yu Hongyu of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Aerospace Academy described space as a fresh dimension for human growth, ranging from resource utilization to establishing habitats on other planets.
Echoing the spirit of the event’s theme, Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization Secretary General Dr. Hui Jiang emphasized that no single country can solve planetary-scale problems alone. Space does not belong to a single country, it belongs to all of us, Jiang noted, pointing out that multinational cooperation reduces costs and builds security on Earth.
George Washington University Space Policy Institute Space Research Committee Chair Prof. Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund added that humanity’s inherent curiosity continues to drive exploration forward, offering inspiration for new ideas and stronger international ties ahead of the Antalya meetings.