Article Posted on : - Sep 22, 2010

61st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2010 in Prague. An IAF photo

PARIS (BNS): The world's premier International Astronautical Congress (IAC) will be held in Prague from September 27.

The theme for the six-day space congress will be 'Space for Human Benefit and Exploration.'

The European Space Agency (ESA) will play a key role in the plenary sessions which will feature topics and lectures on ISS research, the Global Positional System, the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence and Chandrayaan-1's discovery of water on the Moon.

The IAC’s numerous forums include the novel Cluster Forum, which will bring together the various organisations and industries devoted to space.

Young professionals and students will also have a unique opportunity to learn from and meet members of the space industry, academia and government bodies. Of special interest to students will be a dedicated day to learn about ESA.

The annual IAC is organised by the International Astronautical Federation and its associates - the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Institute of Space Law. This year, the local organiser is the Czech Space Office.

The official Roscosmos delegation led by the head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, the Russian rocket and space industry will take part.

Around 3000 high-level delegates and decision-makers from space agencies, industry and academia are expected to participate in the event, the IAF said in its website.