IAF and ASE announce launch of the IAF Astronauts Administrative Committee (AAC)

On 5 October at the 74^th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2023) in Baku, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) together with its partner the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) announced the inauguration of the IAF Astronauts Administrative Committee (AAC) during a dedicated press conference.

The press conference was co-moderated by Dr. Christian Feichtinger, IAF Executive Director and Dr. Reinhold Ewald, Chair of the AAC, and included astronauts who joined the International Astronauts Chapter in Baku including Hazzaa Al Mansoori, Tuva Cihangir Atasever, Alper Gezeravc?, Sergey Krikalev, Anna Kikina, Koichi Wakata, and Sara Sabry.

As astronauts’ involvement is instrumental in ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of space initiatives, activities, and career paths, the AAC advocated for its goal to continuously guarantee astronaut presence, astronaut events, and astronaut educational outreach activities as important elements within IAF organized events.  The AAC will also develop, plan and conduct impactful initiatives and engagements to further the IAF’s mission of encouraging outreach, education and 3G+ diversity in the context of IAF events.

IAF and ASE commended the positive momentum of the launch of the IAF Astronauts Administrative Committee (AAC) during the IAC 2023 International Astronauts Chapter which brought together 17 International Astronauts covering space flight from 1969 to 2023 as well as Astronaut Candidates.

Under the auspices of the IAF and its partners, ASE and the IAC 2023 Host - Azercosmos, this unique chapter designed an intensive and multidisciplinary programme and aimed at engaging with over 3600 local people including school children, students, and inclusive communities who had the privilege to meet with astronauts in STEM Centers, Universities and Lyceums, Academies of Sports and Paralympic, Children and Youth Centers as well as TV programmes. 

With the AAC initiative, the IAF and ASE are laying the groundwork to inspire and motivate the younger generation, encouraging them to pursue careers in space science and technology. Under the leadership of Reinhold Ewald as AAC Chair and Soichi Noguchi as AAC Co-Chair and Vice-Chair for Active Astronauts, the AAC will capitalize on this exceptional momentum to further foster a meaningful and effective participation of Astronauts in IAF events. The next International Astronauts Chapter will be held at IAC 2023, on 14-18 October in Milan, Italy.