TL;DR
Prime made for students and young adults
- Fast, free delivery for dorm and study essentials
- Prime Video and Amazon Music included
- Member-only deals
NASA announced it will participate in the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya, Türkiye, from Oct. 5-9, 2026. The delegation, led by Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, will highlight Moon and Mars exploration, Artemis Accords diplomacy, Earth science, and a preliminary Artemis II lunar science release.
NASA will send a senior delegation to the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, from Monday, Oct. 5, to Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, where the agency plans to showcase U.S. human exploration plans for the Moon and Mars, promote the Artemis Accords, and present new Earth and lunar science, the agency announced in a Sept. 29 media advisory. The delegation will be led by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and will appear in plenary sessions, technical discussions, and a news conference alongside the head of Peru’s space agency.
The IAC, organized by the International Astronautical Federation, is hosted this year by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA). NASA said its participation will emphasize America’s leadership in human exploration, advancing what the agency calls responsible exploration under the Artemis Accords, world-changing science, and support for the commercial space sector.
The schedule includes several high-profile sessions. On Monday, Oct. 5, Anderson takes part in “One-to-One with Heads of Space Agencies” at 3 a.m. EDT. Later that day, Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, delivers a keynote on a new model for Earth observation cooperation combining international and commercial fleets with faster mission development.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, is the busiest day for NASA. It includes an Artemis Accords news conference at 5 a.m. EDT featuring Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA); a session on “Trusted AI on Mars” with JPL’s Steve Chien; and a session titled “NASA’s Artemis II Preliminary Lunar Science Release” featuring Anderson, Dr. Lori Glaze, Dr. Nicky Fox, and Artemis II lunar science lead Dr. Kelsey Young. Other sessions cover space manufacturing, organ-chip research in space, and Artemis II industry results, and astronaut Chris Williams appears Friday at NASA’s exhibit.
Diplomacy and Science on One Stage
The IAC is one of the largest annual gatherings of space agencies, companies, and researchers worldwide, making it a setting where NASA presents its programs to international partners and negotiates frameworks in public view. The Artemis Accords news conference with Peru’s space agency director signals continued effort to expand the group of nations endorsing U.S.-led norms for lunar exploration, a counterpoint to competing international lunar initiatives.
The Artemis II preliminary lunar science release, scheduled with senior leaders from both NASA’s human spaceflight and science directorates, will be closely watched: Artemis II is the crewed lunar flyby mission that precedes NASA’s planned astronaut landing, and new science details affect how the agency and its partners prioritize lunar measurements and technology.
Artemis Accords and IAC Background
The Artemis Accords are a U.S.-initiated set of principles for cooperation in civil space exploration, including transparency, interoperability, and safe use of lunar resources. NASA regularly announces new signatories at international venues such as the IAC.
The International Astronautical Congress is the annual congress of the International Astronautical Federation, a global space advocacy body founded in 1951. This year’s host, the Turkish Space Agency, reflects Türkiye’s growing role in international space activities. NASA’s exhibit in Hall 1 of the NEST Convention Centre will mark the U.S. Freedom 250 commemoration alongside displays on exploration, science, and technology innovation.
What NASA Hasn’t Detailed Yet
The advisory is a schedule announcement, not a report of results. The substance of the Artemis II preliminary lunar science release — what science will be released and whether it relates to mission hardware, targets, or measurements — has not been made public ahead of the Oct. 7 session.
Whether the Artemis Accords news conference will announce Peru as a new signatory or address another matter is not stated; the advisory names the participants but not the purpose. Content from the plenary and technical sessions, and any new partnerships or agreements, will only become clear as the congress proceeds.
Sessions to Watch in Antalya
The congress opens Monday, Oct. 5, with the heads-of-agencies plenary at 3 a.m. EDT. Key moments through the week include the Artemis II industry session Tuesday with program manager Jeremy Parsons, the Artemis Accords news conference and lunar science release Wednesday, and astronaut Chris Williams appearing at NASA’s exhibit on Friday, Oct. 9. Select events will be streamed on the International Astronautical Federation’s YouTube channel, and NASA’s full participation details are available through its Office of International and Interagency Relations at nasa.gov/oiir.
Key Questions
When and where is the 77th International Astronautical Congress?
It runs Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and organized by the International Astronautical Federation. NASA’s exhibit is in Hall 1 of the NEST Convention Centre.
Who leads NASA’s delegation?
Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson leads the delegation and will appear in the heads-of-agencies plenary, the Artemis Accords news conference, and the Artemis II lunar science release session.
What is the Artemis II preliminary lunar science release?
It is a Wednesday, Oct. 7 session featuring Anderson, Dr. Lori Glaze, Dr. Nicky Fox, and Dr. Kelsey Young. NASA has announced the session but not its specific contents; details are expected to be presented at the congress itself.
Why is Peru’s space agency director appearing with NASA?
Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of CONIDA, joins Anderson for an Artemis Accords news conference on Oct. 7. NASA has not stated the purpose of the event; observers will be watching for a possible new Accords signatory announcement.
Can the public watch the events?
Yes, select events will be available on the International Astronautical Federation’s YouTube channel, according to NASA. A full agenda is available online for registered media.
Source: primary
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
