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International Academy of Astronautics

The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is a Paris-based non-government association for the field of astronautics. It was founded in Stockholm, Sweden) on August 16, 1960, by Dr. Theodore von Kármán.[1] It was recognised by the United Nations in 1996.[2]

The stated purpose of the IAA is:[1]


Among the activities the academy is involved, there are:[1]

Foster the development of astronautics for peaceful purposes

Recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in a branch of science or technology related to astronautics

Provide a program through which the membership can contribute to international endeavors

Promote international cooperation in the advancement of aerospace science.

According to the Academy's mission statement, the fundamental purposes of the IAA, are to:[7]

Cooperation with other organizations[edit]

The IAA has established cooperation with: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (since 1985), Austrian Academy of Sciences (since 1986), French Academy of Sciences (since 1988), English Royal Society (since 1988), Academy of Finland (since 1988), Indian Academy of Sciences (since 1990), Royal Spanish Academy of Sciences (since 1989), German Academy of Sciences (since 1990), Kingdom of Netherlands (since 1990), Academies of Arts, Humanities & Sciences of Canada also known as Royal Society of Canada (since 1991), U.S. National Academy of Sciences (since 1992), U.S. National Academy of Engineering (since 1992), Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities (since 1994), Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (since 1995), Chinese Academy of Sciences (since 1996), Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin (since 1997), Australian Academy of Science (since 1998), Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (since 1998), Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 1999), Brazilian Academy of Sciences (since 2000), U.S. Institute of Medicine (since 2002), Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (since 2010), Academy of Sciences of South Africa (since 2011), Royal Society of South Africa (since 2011) and Pontifical Academy of Sciences (since 2012).

Presidents[edit]

The Academy's first president was Theodore von Kármán.[1] Edward C. Stone held the post of President of the International Academy of Astronautics until October 2009. G. Madhavan Nair, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, was president of the International Academy of Astronautics from August 2009 until 2015. He was the only Indian and the first non-American to head the IAA.[8]

Membership[edit]

Valery Geidarovich Aliev is a prominent Soviet and Russian scientist, spacecraft engineer and innovator, member of the Tsiolkovsky Space Academy.

IAA Official Website

IAA Acta Astronautica Journal