International Deep Space Exploration Conference 2026 (IDSEC 2026)
3–4 September 2026
Hefei, China
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was represented at the International Deep Space Exploration Conference 2026 (IDSEC 2026), held in Hefei, China, on 3–4 September 2026, under the theme “Sustainable Deep Space Exploration - Opportunities and Challenges”.
IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger addressed the opening ceremony of IDSEC 2026, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and dialogue in advancing the next generation of deep space exploration.
The two-day conference brought together nearly 400 participants from more than 40 countries and regions, representing international organizations, space agencies, research institutions, universities and enterprises. The broad international participation reflected the growing global interest in deep space exploration and the need for sustained cooperation across nations, disciplines and sectors.
In his intervention at the opening ceremony, Dr. Feichtinger represented the IAF's commitment to fostering an inclusive and globally connected space community.
IAF’s participation also extended to the academic and professional dimensions of the conference. IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger and IAF Senior Advisor Elena Feichtinger attended the launching ceremony of the inaugural issue of the Journal of Deep Space Exploration and the 1st Meeting of the Editorial Board of the Journal.
During the meeting, Dr. Christian Feichtinger was formally presented with his certificate of membership of the Editorial Board, marking another opportunity for the IAF to contribute its international perspective to the development of research and knowledge-sharing in the field of deep space exploration.
The IAF's engagement at IDSEC 2026 underlines the Federation's continued commitment to supporting international cooperation in space exploration and to connecting the world's space agencies, industry, academia, research institutions and professionals around the shared ambition of expanding humanity's reach into deep space.
As deep space exploration moves towards increasingly complex and long-term missions, the dialogue fostered through international conferences such as IDSEC will be essential in addressing both the opportunities and challenges ahead.
