The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) will take place in the shining city of Antalya, Türkiye, 5–9 October 2026 — marking the first time in history that the event will be hosted in Türkiye. Known for its rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality, breathtaking Mediterranean coastline, and vibrant innovation ecosystem, Antalya will offer a unique backdrop to one of the world’s most prestigious space gatherings.
Hosted by Turkish Space Agency (TUA), co-hosted by the SAHA Istanbul Aerospace Cluster, and organized in collaboration with leading national and international partners, IAC 2026 aims to position Türkiye as a dynamic contributor to the global space landscape. In an era increasingly dependent on space technologies for communication, security, sustainability, and climate resilience, IAC 2026 will serve as a rallying point for nations and industries to align their efforts and will be one of the keystones in the IACs history and one of the most remembered one in the space community's memory.
Submission deadline February 28, 2026 (23:59 Central European Time)
Space Architecture-related papers are invited to sessions of the Symposium E5: 37th IAA SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE AND SOCIETY
This 37th symposium is organized by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Presentations will review the impact and benefits of space activities on the quality of life on Earth and in space. A broad range of topics may be covered including arts and culture, space architecture, and society's expectations from space exploration and research, as well as technology and knowledge transfer.
IPC members:
- Coordinator: Dr. Olga Bannova, University of Houston, United States;
Space Architecture Session 1
Title: E5.1. Space Architecture: Habitats, Habitability, and Bases
Space Architecture integrates all topics related to designing and building human environments for use in space. The session welcomes papers in three areas: 1) research, design, prototype testing, manufacture, and operation of habitats for space and analog terrestrial environments; 2) how habitats influence human health, psychology, and efficiency, and requirements based on the “human factor”; 3) fabrication and construction of habitable complexes on planetary surfaces or in orbit and 4) human systems integration design implications.
- Co-Chair: obannova [at] central.uh.edu (Prof. Olga Bannova), University of Houston, United States;
- Co-Chair: barbara.imhof [at] liquifer.com (Dr. Anna Barbara Imhof), Liquifer Systems Group (LSG), Austria;
- Rapporteur: anne-marlene.ruede [at] epfl.ch (Ms. Anne-Marlene Rüede), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland;
- Rapporteur: shuyulin [at] mit.edu (Dr. Mich Lin), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States;
Space Architecture Session 2
Title: E5.6. Simulating Space Habitation: Habitats, Design and Simulation Missions
This session covers all topics related to preparing for and simulating future space habitats and its associated facilities. This includes lessons learned as well as design proposals for future habitats, either orbital or surface structures. The session especially welcomes papers with an interdisciplinary approach and providing inputs from all fields relevant for future crewed missions, including innovative technologies, interior and design elements, as well as studies related to human factors and social-cultural dynamics of space missions.
- Co-Chair: barbara.imhof [at] liquifer.com (Dr. Anna Barbara Imhof), Liquifer Systems Group (LSG), Austria;
- Co-Chair: haeuplik [at] hb2.tuwien.ac.at (Dr. Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger), TU Wien, Austria;
- Rapporteur: amit.srivastava [at] adelaide.edu.au (Dr. Amit Srivastava), University of Adelaide, Australia
Space Architecture Session 3
Title: A5.4. Deep Space Habitats and Resources
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This session will focus on the habitability aspects for Moon and Mars outposts and bases and to sustain human deep space exploration missions and the needed resources, exploring technical solutions like greenhouses, plant-growth in space, harvesting water from the Moon and Mars regolith.
- Co-Chair: barbara.imhof [at] liquifer.com (Dr. Anna Barbara Imhof), Liquifer Systems Group (LSG), Austria;
- Co-Chair: mariaantonietta.perino [at] thalesaleniaspace.com (Dr. Maria Antonietta Perino), Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy;
- Rapporteur: haeuplik [at] hb2.tuwien.ac.at (Dr. Sandra Haeuplik-Meusburger), TU Wien, Austria;
- Rapporteur: obannova [at] central.uh.edu (Prof. Olga Bannova), University of Houston, United States