The National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN) has received official admission as a member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). This came at the last IAF General Assembly in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, during the International Congress of Astronautics (IAC 2021).

 “It is an honour for us to have GGPEN as part of our great community. We hope that it will be fruitful and that we will have lasting collaborations between our organizations in the future”, wrote the Executive Director of the organization, Dr Christian Feichtinger, in the welcome message sent to the Board of the Office. You can get the Office’s page on IAF’s website here.

The International Astronautical Federation is the world’s leading space defence body, with 407 members in 71 countries, including all major space agencies, corporations, research institutions, universities, societies, associations, institutes and museums around the world.

The IAF was founded in 1951, when space research scientists came together to ensure an ongoing dialogue between space nations, regardless of political turmoil.

In its early years, the Federation and its annual International Astronautical Congresses – better known as the IAC – were among the few forums where East and West could meet during the Space Race.

The IAF has seen its membership grow substantially after integrating new and emerging space nations into its network. Its achievements in supporting international cooperation over the past seven decades have seen the Federation continue to build one of the world’s largest networks of space experts and decision-makers.