41st Space Symposium

The Space Symposium is one of the premier gatherings for the global space community in the United States, bringing together government agencies, industry experts, academia, and international organizations to discuss space exploration, innovation, and policy.

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) had a strong presence at the 2026 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, demonstrating its commitment to fostering global space collaboration and supporting the next generation of space leaders.

As part of its ongoing engagement with the space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), IAF continued to support the Space Generation Fusion Forum 2026, a platform that enables emerging space professionals and students to interact with industry leaders, discuss trends, and propose innovative solutions for the international space community. The IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger delivered a keynote speech, highlighting the importance of youth engagement and international collaboration in shaping the future of space.

During the IAF Salon Breakfast under the inspiring theme “Connecting Nations: the IAF’s Role in Global Space Cooperation”, Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle, CEO of the Space Foundation, and Yusuf Kirac, President of the Turkish Space Agency and IAF VP for Relations with International Organizations joined the IAF President Gabriella Arrigo and Dr. Feichtinger to discuss the upcoming **IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026) ** and the **77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) **. The conversation emphasized the importance of international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the value of fostering dialogue across space sector.

In addition, Christian Feichtinger held a one-on-one interview with KASA Administrator Taeseog Oh. The discussion focused on KASA’s strategic priorities and future roadmap, including the development of reusable launch vehicle technologies. Administrator Oh highlighted the importance of international cooperation platforms such as the IAF, which play a key role in empowering private space companies and enabling emerging space nations to bridge technological gaps.

The IAF also appreciated the presentation by Joseph Aschbacher, who spoke about the importance of global leaders cooperating to advance space exploration and innovation. His remarks reinforced the value of multilateral initiatives such the IAF Global Space Leaders Summit held annually in conjunction with the IAC and shared knowledge in strengthening the global space ecosystem.

Through these engagements, the IAF demonstrated its dedication to advancing international partnerships, supporting emerging space nations, and fostering dialogue between all stakeholders in the space sector. The Federation’s active role at the Space Symposium further underscores its mission to promote space exploration, innovation, and collaboration worldwide.

For more information on the Space Symposium, visit www.spacesymposium.org.