India is going to host the 58th International Astronautical Congress (IAC-2007) from September 24-28 at Hyderabad.

More than 2,500 delegates including leaders, professionals and industrialists engaged in space science, technology and applications from all over the world will be participating at the international astronautical congress. IAC is organised every year jointly by the International Astronautical Federation, International Academy of Astronautics and International Institute of Space Law.

Astronautical Society of India (ASI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be organising the event in India. ISRO and ASI are members of IAF. Over the years, ISRO/ASI scientists have played a significant role in the activities of IAF, IAA and IISL.

Mr G Madhavan Nair, who is the chairman of ISRO and President of ASI, is also the Vice-President of the Scientific Activities of IAA.

By electing India to host the 58th session of IAC, the world space community has recognised the country’s significant achievements in space science and technology and their benefits to humankind. It is also significant that India is hosting the IAC in the year 2007 which marks the 50th anniversary of the first launch of Russian Sputnik-1 in 1957 that heralded the space age. The last time that India hosted the IAC was in 1988 in Bangalore.
A Planning Committee, chaired by Dr B N Suresh, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, with scientists and administrators of ISRO as members, has been constituted to organise this international event at Hyderabad. Several other sub-committees to coordinate the technical programme, preparation of the venue and organisation of the exhibition have also been constituted. The website www.iac2007.org provides details about the congress including registration of delegates.