Today, the International Astronautical Federation – IAF was selected to receive a $1 million grant from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future. This generous donation will allow us to further develop our current programmes dedicated to the Next Generation such as the ‘Next Generation Day’ held during the IAF Global Conferences, the IAF Emerging Space Leaders Grant Programme, the IAF Young Space Leaders Recognition Programme, the Students and Young Professionals programmes at International Astronautical Congresses as well as stimulating the next generation to pursue careers in STEM.
“Our recent auction for the first seat on New Shepard resulted in a donation of $28 million to our non-profit foundation, Club for the Future,” said Bob Smith, Blue Origin CEO. “This donation is enabling Club for the Future to rapidly expand its reach by partnering with 19 organizations to develop and inspire the next generation of space professionals. Our generation will build the road to space and these efforts will ensure the next generation is ready to go even further.”
“On behalf of the IAF, I would like to sincerely thank Blue Origin, our member organization since 2016, for trusting us in promoting the future of living and working in space to inspire the next generation to explore space careers” declared Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund, IAF President, before adding, “this grant will allow us to further live up to our motto “Connecting @ll Space People” by advancing knowledge about space, and supporting the development and application of space assets.”
“The IAF, as the world’s leading space advocacy body, is absolutely thrilled to have received this great news” said Dr. Christian Feichtinger, IAF Executive Director. “Thanks to this outstanding donation, the IAF is pleased to welcome Blue Origin as Platinum Alliance Partner.” added Dr. Feichtinger.
About Club for the Future
Founded by Blue Origin in 2019, Club for the Future is a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM and to help invent the future of life in space. The Club and its collaborators are doing this through Postcards to Space, space-focused curriculum, and access to space on Blue Origin’s rockets. For more information visit, ClubforFuture.org.
About Blue Origin
Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos with the vision of enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space to benefit Earth. To preserve Earth, Blue Origin believes that humanity will need to expand, explore, find new energy and material resources, and move industries that stress Earth into space. On July 20, Blue Origin will fly its first astronaut crew on board New Shepard to space and back. To watch the launch live on July 20 or sign up for updates visit BlueOrigin.com.
