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]

• Recognize the accomplishments of their peers
• Explore and discuss cutting-edge issues in space research and technology
• Provide direction and guidance in the non-military uses of space and the ongoing exploration of the solar system

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

•  Organizes annual conferences, symposia, and gatherings covering topics such as space sciences, space life sciences, space technology and system development, space systems operations and utilization, space policy, law, economy, space and society, culture, and education.
• Publishes cosmic studies^[3] concerning space exploration, space debris, small satellites, space traffic management, natural disasters, climate change
• Publishes the journal^[4] of the International Academy of Astronautics, Acta Astronautica.
• Publishes dictionaries^[5] in 24 languages
• Publishies book series ^[6] on subjects such as small satellites, conference proceedings, remote sensing, and history.

IAA Mission

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

• 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.

Cooperation with other organizations

The IAA has established cooperation^{[citation needed]} 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

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]

Journal

The IAA sponsors the monthly journal Acta Astronautica, published by Elsevier Press,^[9] which "covers developments in space science technology in relation to peaceful scientific exploration of space and its exploitation for human welfare and progress, the conception, design, development and operation of space-borne and Earth-based systems.”^[4] In collaboration with the International Astronautical Federation^[10][11][12] the IAA launched a review journal, REACH-Reviews in Human Space Exploration, in 2016 that focuses on aspects of human space exploration.