Published on March 9, 2026
A Historic Breakthrough for IAC 2026
With record-breaking 8325 abstracts from 108 countries!
It is official - the momentum behind the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), in Antalya is unlike anything we have seen before.
With a record-breaking of 8325 abstract submissions from a record of 108 countries, this year’s results set a new benchmark and lay the foundation for what promises to be the largest and most globally engaged IAC in history. These are the highest figures ever recorded for the congress, reflecting the accelerating global momentum in space activities, innovation, and international collaboration.
To put this into perspective, recent congresses have already achieved remarkable milestones. IAC 2024 in Milan welcomed nearly 7000 abstracts from 103 countries, while IAC 2025 in Sydney received around 6400 submissions from 106 countries. Each year has raised the bar, but IAC 2026 in Antalya has taken it to an entirely new level.
Participation this year reflects both strong traditional contributors and remarkable new momentum across regions.
- Türkiye, our host country, submitted an unprecedented 1810 abstracts, the highest contribution ever from a single country in IAC history.
- Azerbaijan followed with 814 submissions.
- United States contributed 615 abstracts.
- China contributed 599 abstracts.
- Strong participation also came from long-standing leaders in the space sector including Italy (492), the United Kingdom (336), Germany (289), India (288), Japan (261).
- We also saw notable growth from countries such as Peru (287), Mexico (234), the Russian Federation (207), France (197), Canada (136) and the Republic of Korea (124), demonstrating the expanding global reach of the space community.
Behind these numbers lies something even more important: a diverse and vibrant global space community. The submissions reflect the full spectrum of the space sector - from quantum technologies and sustainability to planetary science, policy, education, and creative interdisciplinary approaches. Established experts are joined by first-time contributors, emerging institutions, and new regional leaders, bringing fresh perspectives to the global conversation.
In Antalya, preparations are already underway to welcome this unprecedented level of engagement. Plans include expanding opportunities for cross-sector collaboration, creating a dynamic exhibition space, and shaping Plenary and Technical programmes that reflect the energy and diversity of today’s evolving space ecosystem.
5-9 October 2026 and plan to join us in Antalya, Türkiye for what will be an exceptional gathering of the world’s space community.
With 8325 voices already contributing, Antalya is set to become a global crossroads for space visionaries.