The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) said the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2021) had received 3,356 abstracts from 86 countries, one of its highest number of abstract submissions ever. The International Programme Committee will select the abstracts to be presented in Dubai, U.A.E., during the IAF Spring Meetings.

For the very first time, the IAC is opening its doors to the global space community in the United Arab Emirates, the first Arab country to host the IAC since its establishment in 1950. And the response from the global scientific community has been enthusiastic. In particular, the Special Session format reached a record-breaking number of 87 proposals! Special sessions are a valuable way to cast light on cutting-edge themes, theories, and interdisciplinary and interactive methods.

An impressive number is also given by the students’ scientific community submitting more than 30% of abstracts! It seems as the IAC 2021 in Dubai will offer an insight into the future that the students are preparing for the space sector.

The IAC has always been the most important space gathering prizing personal interactions as much as academic presentations. The IAF is working closely with IAF Member, The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to preserve the IAC spirit during this pandemic. This impressive number of abstracts received for the IAC 2021 is a clear message from the space community showing their support and trust in the organization of a safe, inclusive and futuristic Congress.