ESA Opens at 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya
The European Space Agency used the opening day of IAC 2026 in Türkiye to call for stronger European space capabilities and deeper international cooperation.
AfroEuropa Newsroom
AfroEuropa desk
The European Space Agency (ESA) took part in the opening day of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Antalya, Türkiye, where it put stronger European capabilities and broader international cooperation at the centre of its message.
According to ESA, Director General Josef Aschbacher stressed the need for Europe to become a stronger and more capable partner within a rapidly shifting space sector. The agency said its first-day focus ranged from space exploration to the role space plays in supporting society.
The congress opened on Monday 5 October and runs until Friday 9 October at the Nest Congress and Exhibition Centre, under the theme "The World Needs More Space". ESA said more than 6,000 participants were expected at the event.
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