Polish Space Agency is a member of the International Astronautical Federation

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is a non-governmental organization with 165 members - national institutions interested in space and rocket technologies, including all major space agencies. IAF is the organizer of the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC) - the most important international space industry event that attracts decision makers from the global space sector, including a large group of businesses, research institutes and representatives of government agencies, employers` associations and other institutions operating in this sector.

According to the release, IAF membership - in addition to preferential financial conditions for participation in the IAC congress - also gives access to documents and studies prepared by the organization and enables participation in the work of the federation bodies.

"Participation in the annual International Space Congress is a unique opportunity to internationally promote the achievements and potential of the Polish space sector. Our entities really need such promotion so that they can appear in the international consciousness as efficient and competitive product suppliers for the space sector" - emphasised President of POLSA, Dr. Grzegorz Brona, quoted in the release. "Polish Space Agency`s membership in the International Astronautical Federation may facilitate such activities. It will also be important in the context of establishing or strengthening our cooperation with national space agencies" - he added.

POLSA submitted an access application to the International Astronautical Federation in November 2017. The official acceptance of the agency to the IAF took place last week, on October 1st, the first day of the International Astronautic Congress in Bremen. The decision on the membership of the Polish Space Agency was announced during the inaugural session of the IAF General Assembly, and Grzegorz Brona briefly presented the activities of the agency, emphasising its most important task, the preparation of the National Space Program. He reminded the main objectives of the Polish Space Strategy and summarized the achievements of the Polish space sector.

During the IAC 2018, Dr. Brona also takes part in the IAF General Assembly. As a representative of member organization he participates in voting on the congress location in 2021.

PAP - Science in Poland

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