“Young participants were inspired by the message that every contribution to space research matters”.
In preparation for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), which Türkiye will host in Antalya, the “IAC 2026 Campus Meetings” series engages students and academics nationwide.The second meeting was hosted by Istanbul Technical University (ITU) on 17 October at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center.
The event, which aimed to raise awareness in the field of space, encourage young people to engage in related studies, and strengthen the preparation process for the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) that Türkiye will host in Antalya in 2026, attracted great interest from university students.
Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Rector of Istanbul Technical University (ITU); Levent Kerim Uça, Secretary General of SAHA Istanbul; and Yusuf Kıraç, President of Turkish Space Agency (TUA). Following the speeches, Emine Doğrukök, Director of IAC 2026 Antalya provided participants with a detailed presentation on the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), outlining their missions, global networks, and the significance of Türkiye’s role as the host of IAC 2026.
Türkiye’s second astronaut, Tuva Cihangir Atasever, also met with students during the event, sharing insights from his scientific experiments conducted in space and his personal experiences as an astronaut.
The event concluded with the “IAC Abstract Preparation Panel,” moderated by Prof. Dr. Arif Karabeyoğlu, where students were informed about the preparation process of international academic papers.
