The 63rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2012) will be held in Naples, Italy, between 1 – 5 October 2012. This year’s Congress has attracted a record number of abstract submissions from around the globe. Media registration is now open for what promises to be the most exciting IAC to date.
The IAC is the world’s premier international space meeting. It attracts delegates from a wide range of backgrounds: heads of space agencies, industry executives, academics, students and young space professionals. This is one of the main benefits of the Congress, as it facilitates the sharing of information between people from all sectors of the space community.
More than 3100 abstracts were submitted for this year’s Congress – a record number of submissions. The selected papers will be presented in 30 parallel symposia, with about 165 technical sessions taking place in total. Meanwhile, keynote speakers will discuss the future of manned and unmanned space exploration. The lectures will introduce the cutting-edge technologies that will aid future missions, such as the solar sail LightSail. The public programme will also include eight plenary events. On Earth Day, which takes place on 3 October, the plenaries will have a special focus on how space activities improve the quality of life on Earth and play a crucial role in disaster monitoring.
The IAC will offer unmatched networking opportunities for delegates, particularly during the International Cluster Forum. The Congress will also provide an important opportunity for parliamentarians to meet the wider space community when they attend the 4th International Meeting for Members of Parliament, “Satellite-based Applications – Tools for Policy Implementation and Verification”.
Several fringe events will accompany the Congress, such as the first IAC Cities Summit, which will be held 29-30 September. This meeting will bring together mayors from past and future IAC host cities, to share their experiences and to discuss how the Congress has benefited their cities.
Media registration
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Local Organising Committee are pleased to invite members of the media to attend this year’s Congress. In order to register, please visit www.iafastro.org/ mediacentre
The registration deadline is 20 September 2012.
Please understand that media accreditation can only be granted to active members of the media (print, radio, TV and web) attending the Congress and to photographers commissioned by a newsgathering agency or a specific publication. All PR, advertising, marketing and sales representatives will require either Delegate or Exhibitor passes and cannot be granted media accreditation.
For information on travel and accommodation in Naples, please visit www.iac2012.org
Contact information:
Juliane McCarty
Public Affairs and Communications Officer
Phone : +33(0)1 45 67 55 97
Fax: +33(0)1 42 73 21 20
Email : juliane.mccarty@iafastro.org
About the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
Founded in 1951, the International Astronautical Federation is the world’s leading space advocacy body. It has 227 members in 59 countries, including all leading space agencies, companies, societies, associations and institutes worldwide.
Following its theme “A space-faring world cooperating for the benefit of humanity”, the Federation advances knowledge about space and fosters the development and application of space assets by advancing global cooperation.
As organiser of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), and other meetings on specific subjects, the IAF actively encourages the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes and supports the dissemination of scientific and technical information related to space.
