IAF International Astronauts Chapter
The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) in Antalya, Türkiye, will proudly feature the IAF International Astronauts Chapter, jointly organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Turkish Space Agency (TUA).
As the IAF's flagship programme, the IAF International Astronauts Chapter brings together astronauts from around the world to share their experiences, inspire future generations, and engage with the global space community.
Reflecting the IAC 2026 theme - "The World Needs More Space" - the Chapter will explore the vital role of astronauts in promoting the responsible and sustainable use of space.
The programme will feature inspiring panel discussions and educational outreach activities, and public engagement events. Do not miss the IAF-ASE Astronaut Session during the IAF Global Networking Forum on Friday 9 October 2026 (Public Day).
IAC 2026 attendees will also have the opportunity to meet astronauts during dedicated autograph sessions, hear first-hand stories from their space missions, and collect signatures in the official IAF International Astronauts Chapter Booklet - a unique keepsake celebrating this extraordinary gathering of space explorers.
Step into the World of Space Exploration: Meet the International Astronauts at IAC 2026 in Antalya!
Hazzaa ALMANSOORI
Astronaut, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)
United Arab Emirates
Nora ALMATROOSHI
Astronaut, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)
United Arab Emirates
Mohammed ALMULLA
Astronaut, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)
United Arab Emirates
Sultan AL NEYADI
UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Astronaut
United Arab Emirates
Tony ANTONELLI
Astronaut (retired), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
United States
Tuva CIHANGIR ATASEVER
Astronaut, Turkish Space Agency (TUA)
Türkiye
Rosemary COOGAN
ESA Astronaut | Astrophysicist, European Space Agency (ESA)
United Kingdom
Gökhan ERDEM
New Shepard NS-34 Mission Astronaut, Blue Origin, A Board Member, Erdem Holding
Türkiye
Reinhold EWALD
Astronaut & Professor for Astronautics and Space Stations at the Institute of Spaceflight System, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart
Germany
Andrew FEUSTEL
Lead Astronaut, Vast
United States
Alper GEZERAVCI
First Turkish Astronaut, Turkish Space Agency Board Member, Turkish Space Command Coordination & Execution Director F-16 & KC-135R Pilot, Turkish Space Agency (TUA)
Türkiye
Tibor KAPU
Astronaut, Hungarian to Orbit Program (HUNOR)
Hungary
Tim KOPRA
Chief Human Exploration Officer, Retired NASA Astronaut, Voyager Technologies
United States
André KUIPERS
ESA Astronaut, European Space Agency (ESA)
Netherlands
Michael LOPEZ-ALEGRIA
Chief Astronaut, Senior Vice President of Human Spaceflight, Axiom Space, LLC
United States
Thomas MARSHBURN
Chief Astronaut & VP Human Factors Engineering, Sierra Space
United States
Andreas MOGENSEN
Astronaut, European Space Agency (ESA)
Denmark
Claude NICOLLIER
Astronaut and Professor, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
Switzerland
Julie PAYETTE
Astronaut, President, Association of Space Explorers
Canada
Mark POLANSKY
Astronaut, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Vice President for Government Services, Barrios
United States
Sian PROCTOR
Commercial Astronaut | Pilot | Geologist | Artist | Science Communicator
United States
Dylan TAYLOR
Chairman and CEO, Voyager Technologies
United States
Sławosz UZNAŃSKI-WIŚNIEWSKI
Astronaut, European Space Agency (ESA)
Poland
Franz VIEHBOCK
Astronaut and CEO, Berndorf AG
Austria
Koichi WAKATA
Astronaut and Chief Technology Officer, Asia-Pacific, Axiom Space, LLC
Japan
Marcus WANDT
Head of Strategy and Technology; ESA Astronaut and Special Advisor at Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA), Saab AB
Sweden
Naoko YAMAZAKI
Astronaut, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), General Manager of Vast Japan, and Council Member of The Earthshot Prize
Japan
Soyeon YI
Astronaut
Republic of Korea
