THE CREATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF ASTRONAUTICS AND ITS INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Paper number

IAC-10.E4.1.2

Author

Dr. Vladimir Kopal, West Bohemen University, Czech Republic

Year

2010

Abstract

Originally, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) was conceived as a learned society to be composed of individual members from different countries, who distinguished themselves in a branch of sciences of fundamental importance for space exploration. Its Statutes, adopted on 15 August 1960 by the IAF as its parent body, established the IAA as one of the activities of the Federation. During the first two decades of its life, the IAA conducted autonomous programmes, mostly performed by Academy Committees and at the symposia held in the framework of International Astronautical Congresses.

In the beginning of the 1980’s, a major improvement of the IAA structure became necessary, to enable expanding its programmes and impact. A new draft of the Statutes, accompanied by Bylaws, was elaborated and adopted in 1983-84. The IAA became an independent international non-governmental organization with its own headquarters in Paris. A series of further amendments to the regulatory basis of the IAA, particularly on the establishment of six Academy Commissions which perform their regular programmes, led to the present features of the Academy.

During the fifty years of its life, the IAA thus passed through a progressive transformation from a multinational learned society to a working, productive and widely recognized international institution.

Abstract document

IAC-10.E4.1.2.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-10.E4.1.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.