Welcome to the 15th IAA Humans in Space Symposium
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Graz / Austria, May 22-26, 2005
Benefits of Human Presence in Space
Historical, scientific, medical, cultural, and political aspects
Call for papers
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topics & motto Committees LocationThe International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)
The International Academy of Astronautics is an international scholarly academy founded in August 1960, in Stockholm, Sweden by Theodore von Karman. IAA is a scientific institution devoted to fostering the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, to recognizing individuals who have distinguished themselves in a branch of science or technology related to astronautics and to providing a program through which the membership can contribute to international endeavors in the advancement of aerospace science.
The academy currently has 1181 members from 65 countries. Its objectives are to foster the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes, to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a related branch of science or technology; to provide a program through which members may contribute to international endeavours and cooperate in the advancement of aerospace science.
IAA is a Non Governmental Organization, and was recognized by the United Nations in 1996. It is an honorary society with an action agenda. Members work closely with national and international space agencies, industry and the academic community, to determine needs and objectives, and to help shape policy and forge cooperation by means of studies, position papers, conferences and publications.
To give a few examples, the Academy introduced the concept of small satellites in 1987 before it was adopted by the space community. It advocated the return to Moon and Mars exploration early in the nineties, a vision now integrated in the plans of the major space agencies. Space debris awareness was a major IAA effort at the end of the eighties, paving the way to the creation of a UN interagency committee.
The IAA encourages international scientific cooperation through scientific symposia and meetings, and through the work of its specialized Commissions: Space Physical Sciences, Space Life Sciences, Space Technology and System Development, Space System Operation and Utilisation, Space Policy Law and Economics, Space and Society Culture and Education. One of the Academy’s major initiatives is the development of a series of "Cosmic Studies" and Position Papers dealing with the many aspects of international cooperation endeavours in the exploration and habitation of the solar systems and beyond, space debris, small satellites, a declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Lunar and Martian Exploration, etc.
IAA has several publications: Acta Astronautica issued monthly and published in English, the IAA Newsletter, Proceedings of Symposia, the Yearbook, and Dictionaries (CD-ROM) in 16 languages.
IAA is organized by sections: Basic Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences and Social Sciences, that are talent pools and guardians of high quality of membership. Various commissions create and oversee interdisciplinary activities that are implemented through Program Committees and Study Groups.
IAA membership consists of individuals who have distinguished themselves in one of the fields of astronautics or one of the branches of science of fundamental importance for the exploration of space. Election to the Academy is recognition of an individual's record of service and achievement, and members are leaders in space and aeronautical activities in their own countries. New members are elected by their peers in the Academy; full members are elected for life, while corresponding members are eligible for full membership after two years, but retire after five years. Membership brings with it the commitment to work with fellow members for the betterment of mankind through the application of the art and science of astronautics.
The current President is Professor Edward C. Stone (USA). Past President is Dr. Michael I. Yarymovych (USA). Vice-Presidents are Prof. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan (India), Dr. Hiroki Matsuo, (Japan), Dr. Yuri N. Koptev (Russia), †Prof. Hubert Curien (France), and the Secretary General is Dr. JM Contant (France).
IAA holds a Regular Meeting every two years. The Board of Trustees, consisting of the President, the four Vice-Presidents, and twenty-eight Trustees, (seven from each Section: Basic Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, Social Sciences), meets twice a year.
IAA’s 1181 active members (Full and Corresponding Members) come from 65 countries:
- Africa: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia.
- Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Mexico, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela.
- Asia: Bahrain, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand.
- Australia: Australia
- Europe: Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Rep., Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Rumania, Russia, Serbia Montenegro, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine.
The Academy continues enjoying and appreciating its close relations with the IAF and COSPAR. It participates in the IAF and COSPAR Congresses by sponsoring and co-sponsoring sessions, symposia, round table and outlook papers.