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NASA announced it will participate in the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, from Oct. 5-9, 2026. The delegation, led by Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, will highlight Moon and Mars exploration, Artemis Accords cooperation, Earth science, and commercial space partnerships. Key events include an Artemis Accords news conference with Peru’s space agency and a preliminary Artemis II lunar science release.
NASA will send a delegation led by Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson to the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, from Oct. 5 to Oct. 9, 2026, where the agency will present its work on human exploration to the Moon and Mars, responsible exploration under the Artemis Accords, Earth and space science, and support for the commercial space sector, the agency announced in a media advisory on Sept. 29.
The annual congress, organized by the International Astronautical Federation, is hosted this year by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA). According to NASA’s advisory, the agency’s delegation will take part in plenary sessions, technical discussions, and media engagements throughout the five-day event.
The schedule features several high-profile sessions. On Monday, Oct. 5, Anderson will appear in the “One-to-One with Heads of Space Agencies” plenary, and Karen St. Germain, division director of NASA’s Earth Science Division, will deliver a keynote on a new model for Earth observation cooperation involving international and commercial fleets. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Artemis program manager Jeremy Parsons will speak on “Artemis II Mission Results: The Industry Perspective.”
Wednesday, Oct. 7, is the busiest day on NASA’s slate: sessions on space manufacturing technology with researcher Fathi Karouia of NASA’s Ames Research Center, Earth observation decision-making with St. Germain, “Trusted AI on Mars” with Steve Chien of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and a preliminary Artemis II lunar science release featuring Anderson, Dr. Lori Glaze, Dr. Nicky Fox, and Artemis II lunar science lead Dr. Kelsey Young. That same day, Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA), will hold an Artemis Accords news conference. The week closes Friday, Oct. 9, with NASA astronaut Chris Williams presenting “What It’s Like to Be an Astronaut” at NASA’s exhibit in Hall 1 of the NEST Convention Centre.
Why NASA’s IAC Presence Counts
The IAC is one of the largest annual gatherings of space agency leaders, industry executives, and scientists worldwide, making it a key venue for international diplomacy and partnership-building. NASA’s stated focus on the Artemis Accords — including a joint news conference with Peru’s space agency chief — signals continued effort to expand the coalition of nations endorsing U.S.-led principles for responsible exploration.
The preliminary Artemis II lunar science release is the most substantive scientific item on the agenda, offering an international audience an early look at the science plan for the mission intended to carry astronauts around the Moon. Sessions on AI on Mars, space manufacturing, and organ-chip research also give NASA a platform to showcase how its research connects to broader goals in biotechnology, materials science, and human health, and to reinforce what the agency calls U.S. leadership in exploration, science, and technological innovation.
The Congress and Artemis Backdrop
The International Astronautical Congress has been held annually since 1950 under the International Astronautical Federation, rotating among host countries. This year’s host, the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), established in 2018, is positioning Türkiye as a growing actor in global space activities.
The Artemis program is NASA’s effort to return astronauts to the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars, conducted with international and commercial partners. The Artemis Accords, initiated in 2020, are a set of non-binding principles for peaceful and transparent space exploration that partner nations sign voluntarily. NASA’s exhibit at the congress will also celebrate the U.S. Freedom 250 commemoration, tied to the 250th anniversary of American independence, alongside displays of the agency’s contributions to space exploration.
What the Advisory Does Not Cover
The advisory lists speakers and session titles but does not describe the content of the presentations, including what the “Artemis II Mission Results” session will report or what the preliminary lunar science release will contain. Those details are expected to emerge during the congress itself.
It is also unclear whether NASA will use the event to announce new Artemis Accords signatories beyond its joint appearance with Peru’s CONIDA director, or whether any new agreements, budgets, or mission milestones will be addressed. The advisory makes no mention of Administrator-level attendance, and NASA’s language describing U.S. “leadership” is the agency’s own characterization. Select events will be streamed on the International Astronautical Federation’s YouTube channel, but NASA has not published a full streaming plan for all sessions.
Sessions to Watch This Week
The Artemis Accords news conference on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 5 a.m. EDT and the “NASA’s Artemis II Preliminary Lunar Science Release” the same day at 9:35 a.m. EDT are the most likely venues for concrete news. The heads-of-agencies plenary on Monday, Oct. 5, at 3 a.m. EDT will set the tone for the week’s international discussions.
Readers and registered media can consult the full IAC agenda online, and select sessions will be available through the International Astronautical Federation’s YouTube channel. NASA’s exhibit, located in Hall 1 at the NEST Convention Centre, will host astronaut Chris Williams’s Friday talk on the astronaut experience.
Key Questions
When and where is the 77th International Astronautical Congress?
The congress runs from Monday, Oct. 5, to Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the NEST Convention Centre in Antalya, Türkiye, hosted by the Turkish Space Agency and organized by the International Astronautical Federation.
Who is leading NASA’s delegation?
Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson leads the delegation. He will appear in the heads-of-space-agencies plenary, the Artemis Accords news conference, and the Artemis II lunar science release session.
What is the Artemis II lunar science release?
It is a preliminary presentation on lunar science for the Artemis II mission, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9:35 a.m. EDT, featuring Deputy Administrator Anderson, Dr. Lori Glaze, Dr. Nicky Fox, and Dr. Kelsey Young, the Artemis II lunar science lead. NASA’s advisory did not specify the content.
Can the public watch the NASA sessions?
Select events will be available on the International Astronautical Federation’s YouTube channel, according to NASA. The full agenda is accessible online for registered media, and NASA has not said all sessions will be streamed.
Why is Peru’s space agency involved in the NASA news conference?
NASA Deputy Administrator Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen, director of Peru’s space agency CONIDA, will jointly hold an Artemis Accords news conference on Oct. 7. The advisory did not specify whether new Accords commitments will be announced.
Source: primary
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