Published on April 2, 2021

GLEX 2021 - IAF announces the Third Space Exploration Conference

Watch again the first GLEX 2021 Press Conference

The first official press conference of the Global Space Exploration Conference - GLEX 2021 was held today in its venue, the historic Tavrichesky Palace, moderated by IAF executive Director, Christian Feichtinger.

IAF President, Pascale EHRENFREUND announced that “the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and its member, the State Space Corporation ROSCOSMOS, are pleased to hold the first in-person conference since the beginning of the global pandemic”. She also presented the conference programme, including the Next Generation Day co-organized by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) and the IAF Workforce Development/Young Professionals Programme Committee, where high-level speakers, seniors and young people will assemble to discuss in-depth the subject of space exploration. In conjunction with the conference, GLEX 2021 will also see the participation of 20 international astronauts from the Association of Space Explorers (ASE).

GLEX 2021 will also feature a prominent opening ceremony with Heads of Space Agencies and Heads of Space Industries, as well as a rich technical programme starring popular topics such as key technologies, lunar exploration, Mars exploration and international cooperation. Throughout the week, IAF members will present during the Plenaries and GNF sessions their most successful endeavours and future space activities. GLEX 2021 will also display a small space exhibition giving the opportunity to organizations to present products and services as well as giving the opportunity to interact with new potential partners.

IAF President, Pascale EHRENFREUND, also announced that in line with IAF’s mission to bring space worldwide, “selected elements of the conference will be live-broadcasted and available online directly on the IAF website, for those who unfortunately will not be able to join the conference in person.”

ROSCOSMOS Executive Director for Piloted Spaceflights, Sergey KRIKALEV, recalled the Soviet spacecraft Vostok with Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin “marking the beginning of a new space era in the history of mankind”. GLEX 2021 will be the place where the space community will gather to celebrate 60th anniversary Yuri Gagarin’s spaceflight. “The GLEX conference will allow to build mutual understandings to implement ambitious projects on the Moon, Mars and beyond”.

The Vice-Governor of Saint Petersburg Vladimir Nikolaevich KNYAGININ outlined all the specific safety and access measures that will “allow an easy and unimpeded entry to Russia and access to the conference and will assure the safety of all delegates”. These included Visa concessions, Entry into Russia, Access to the GLEX 2021 venue (Tavrichesky Palace), Health safety measures at the venue, and the Support for returning home after GLEX 2021.