The Federation offers its members opportunities to:

• Participate in congresses, specialised symposia and workshops including the annual International Astronautical Congress (IAC), the premier international conference on space activities. IAF member organisations play key roles in the planning of these meetings and are given opportunities to suggest topics and provide speakers for plenary events and other special sessions. The IAF also provides opportunities for members to promote their products and services through reduced exhibition rates and other preferred arrangements.

• Network and exchange information on mutual interests through participation in IAF technical committees that, in addition to participating in the planning of future congresses and workshops, exchange information on topics of interest to individual and organisational members. Participants in IAF technical committees include experts in the various fields of astronautics and related pursuits from around the world.

• Increase visibility and promote the programmes, products, services and activities of member organisations through the Federation's website, our Congress announcements and other communications. Each month the Federation provides a special feature that promotes the activities of one of its members. The IAF website also includes search features to help visitors to identify member organisations and contact designated representatives. Member organisations are also listed in IAF promotional publications that are sent by mail to over 10 000 people throughout the world.

• Learn about space activities at the global level. The IAF (in collaboration with the Committee on Space Research, COSPAR) produces an annual report on global space activities for published by the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs. The Federation also maintains an archive of papers on global space activities that dates back to 1963. Recent documentation is already accessible on-line from the IAF's web site. Plans are currently being made to permit on-line access to the entire database. In addition the IAF secretariat has begun a programme to produce occasional background reports on key global space developments. These reports - which seek to provide current information in an unbiased fashion - will be made available exclusively to IAF members in a restricted area on the IAF web site.

• Enhance awareness and interest in global space activities among students and young professionals. The IAF has an active programme for students interested in participating in the Federation's annual Congress. More than 400 students sponsored by space agencies and societies from around the world have participated in recent International Astronautical Congress where special student events are arranged. In addition, the Federation's website provides a global forum for members and others interested in exchanging information concerning space education. The IAF has also begun a programme for young professional employees of agencies and companies to attend IAF congresses and workshops, listen to special lectures on topics of mutual interest, and participate in the activities of IAF technical committees.

• Nominate individuals for professional recognition at the global level and sponsor special programmes that commemorate past achievements and collaboration among organisations pursuing space activities. The IAF and several member organisations annually recognise achievements through several prestigious awards presented during the annual International Astronautical Congress. The IAF also undertakes special programmes to recognise achievements of global significance and highly successful collaborative ventures.