Every year, generally in early October, the IAF together with its associates the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), holds the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) which is hosted by one of the national societies, a member of IAF.

Congress attendees can gain information about current space projects, programmes and related technologies, while also networking and promoting their own activities, achievements and products. The Federation holds its Bureau Meetings and General Assemblies at the Congress, which is an excellent occasion for the IAF Committees to meet.