The space industry gathers in Türkiye next week. The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) takes place from 5 to 9 October 2026 at the Nest Congress and Exhibition Centre in Antalya under the theme "The World needs more Space". ESA expects more than 6,000 participants.
ESA at IAC 2026
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher will attend and take part in the traditional heads of space agencies plenary. ESA says the congress will address space security, exploration and the ethical implications of activities beyond Earth. Its exhibition "Elevating the Future of Europe" (Hall 1, booth 1B-02) will present ESA Strategy 2040 and upcoming missions developed with international partners.
Artemis Accords Principals' Meeting
NASA announced on 28 September that the Artemis Accords now have 76 signatories after Albania, Croatia, Côte d'Ivoire and San Marino joined. The signatories meet twice a year, once at a technical workshop and once at a Principals' Meeting during the IAC. This year's meeting in Antalya, beginning Monday, 5 October, will be co-chaired by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of the Peruvian Space Agency CONIDA. It will look at support for emerging space nations and at sharing lunar debris mitigation recommendations.
"Our momentum reflects a growing commitment to peaceful, responsible exploration."Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator
Why it matters
The Accords set practical principles for lunar activity, including transparency, interoperability, data sharing and debris mitigation. With missions such as NASA's Moon Base plans, open to payloads from all signatories, these rules move from paper to practice. For launch and payload customers, IAC is also where agencies and companies announce partnerships, so expect news throughout the week.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is IAC 2026?
From 5 to 9 October 2026 at the Nest Congress and Exhibition Centre in Antalya, Türkiye.
How many countries have signed the Artemis Accords?
76, according to NASA as of 28 September 2026.
Who chairs the Artemis Accords meeting at IAC 2026?
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Maj. Gen. Roberto Melgar Sheen of CONIDA, Peru.
Related reading
- Suborbital flights: aviation law vs space law
- NASA PRISM selections for the Moon base
- The first Moon missions
Sources
- ESA press release N° 56-2026: ESA at the IAC in Antalya
- NASA release 26-078: Artemis Accords surpasses 75 signatories
Cover image: Earth photographed by the Apollo 17 crew, December 1972. Credit: NASA (AS17-148-22727), public domain.