International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)
The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) is an independent, non-governmental international academy of distinguished experts in the astronautical sciences, founded in 1960. Within the seti context, the IAA is the ratifying body for the post-detection-protocols — the Declaration of Principles governing the scientific response to a detection of extraterrestrial intelligence. It hosts the IAA SETI Committee, which develops and maintains those protocols.
In June 2026 the IAA Board formally ratified a major revision of the post-detection protocols — the first in more than 15 years — led by iaa-seti-committee Chair Michael Garrett (src-seti-detection-protocols-revision-2026-06). The IAA also organizes the annual international-astronautical-congress (IAC), where the revised Declaration is to be presented in Türkiye later in 2026, and will establish a permanent Post-Detection Sub-Committee on legal, ethical, and societal implications.
Not to be confused with the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), a separate US-based technical society.