The French aeronautical and astronautical association and the local organizing committee will
be hosting the 52nd International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congress and Exhibition, the
first of the third millennium, in Toulouse from 1 to 5 October 2001. This year’s event will also
be celebrating the IAF’s jubilee.

The venue for IAF 2001 is the Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis. The associated exhibition will be
in a marquee covering 7,500 square metres in the Place de l’Europe, linked by covered walkways
to the conference centre.

The theme chosen for the 2001 Congress is Meeting the needs of the new millennium.
The event will provide a great opportunity for attendees to exchange views about the future
directions of research and applications, and on the development of space activities to meet
humankind’s aspirations in the years ahead.

Some 30 symposia, 100 technical sessions and 10 plenary sessions will offer a broad base for
discussion on the future of space and the issues facing many space agencies today, such as
environmental monitoring and space law.

ESA and CNES have selected 450 students who will be joining the 1,500 attendees expected at
the Congress. For the first time, these young people will be actively involved in proceedings, some
presenting papers at technical sessions.

Representatives of the space industry will also be showcasing their activities and products
throughout the week, alongside national space agencies and a prestigious line-up of exhibitors
from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Asia and Israel, and from all over
the world.

As hosts, the French aeronautical and astronautical association and the local organizing
committee have put together a programme of social events to mark the IAF’s jubilee, taking full
advantage of the rich cultural heritage and many tourist attractions in Toulouse and the
surrounding region. This programme has been organized in close collaboration with the Cité de
l’espace interactive space museum and with the support of the City of Toulouse, the Conseil
Général de la Haute-Garonne and the Conseil Régional de Midi-Pyrénées. A variety of events will
give attendees a unique opportunity to discover for themselves the charm of the “French way of
life”.

Also during Congress week, a Space Passport will enable the general public, students and
young people to discover the many specialist firms in Toulouse working on space techniques and
systems, and to see how they are being applied in our daily lives and how they are helping us to
find out more about the Universe. Space Passport events will be organized in particular at the
Cité de l’espace.

All these events will bring an added dimension to a Congress that will mark another milestone for
the space community in the Midi-Pyrénées region.

The opening ceremony of the Congress will be on Monday 1 October 2001 at the Palais des
Sports de Toulouse, attended by representatives of the French government, the Mayor of
Toulouse and regional authorities. The Exhibition will officially open on the same day at 12.15 p.m.
and open its doors to the public on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 October. There will be regional
folk music and dancing every day between 12.00 and 2.00 p.m.

A press centre will be open during the day. An accreditation form for members of the press
wishing to attend Congress sessions accompanies this press release.

For further information about:

The IAF Congress:

Contact Eliane Moreaux, CNES: +33 (0)5.61.27.33.44

The Space Passport organized by the Cité de l’espace:

Contact Florence Seroussi: +33 (0)5.62.71.64.81

52nd Congress of the International Astronautical Federation

Toulouse, France – 1-5 October 2001

* * *

Reply form

Fax to Eliane Moreaux on +33 (0)5 61 28 21 47

before 15 September 2001 for accreditations

Surname:
First name:
Media:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
E-mail:

[ ] Will be attending the 52nd IAF Congress in Toulouse on:

1 October 2001
2 October 2001
3 October 2001
4 October 2001
5 October 2001

[ ] Will not be attending