The 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) came to a splendid conclusion with the awards ceremony and closing ceremony, marking the end of a week filled with innovation, knowledge-sharing, and global collaboration in Baku.

The #IAC2023 Exhibition Awards celebrated the outstanding contributions of participants, recognizing their dedication and creativity in making the event a grand success. Let’s meet the exceptional winners:

1. Best Stand Design – Saudi Space Agency: The Saudi Space Agency captured the essence of innovation and creativity in their stand design, showcasing their commitment to space exploration.
2. Most Innovative Stand – Italian Space Agency: The Italian Space Agency exhibited groundbreaking innovation, earning them the title of the most innovative stand at #IAC2023.
3. Most Cosmic Pavilion – Chinese Society of Astronautics: The Chinese Society of Astronautics took attendees on an extraordinary cosmic journey, earning them the title of the most cosmic pavilion.
4. Most Creative Stand – Airbus: Airbus displayed unparalleled creativity in their stand design, captivating visitors with their imaginative approach to space.
5. Best Visitor Engagement – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency engaged visitors in a meaningful way, fostering connections and earning the title of Best Visitor Engagement.
6. Best Stand Activities – Polish Space Agency: The Polish Space Agency curated exciting and informative stand activities, offering an enriching experience to visitors.
7. Most eco-friendly Booth – Plan-S: Plan-S stood out as the most eco-conscious exhibitor, aligning their booth with sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.
8. Most Networking-oriented Pavilion – Turkish Space Agency: The Turkish Space Agency created an atmosphere conducive to networking, facilitating meaningful connections among participants.

The closing ceremony of IAC 2023 was a momentous occasion that reflected the success of the event and the unity of the global space community. In their closing remarks, President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Clay Mowry and IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger praised the Baku-hosted 74th IAC as a historic gathering that brought together space enthusiasts and experts from around the world to share their ideas and knowledge.

Samaddin Asadov, Chairman of the Board of Azercosmos, expressed his gratitude to IAF officials for choosing Baku as the host city for the Congress. He also extended his appreciation to all IAF partners, sponsors, and participants who played a crucial role in making the event a resounding success.

The closing ceremony featured a captivating video that showcased the highlights and memorable moments of the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku. It served as a visual journey through the week-long event, encapsulating the spirit of exploration and collaboration that defined #IAC2023.

As a symbolic gesture, the official flag of the 74th IAC in Baku was handed over to Italy, signifying the transition to the next host city. Milan, Italy, will have the honor of hosting the 75th International Astronautical Congress in October 2024. This transfer of the flag marks the continuation of the legacy of these prestigious gatherings, where the global space community comes together to shape the future of space exploration and technology.

A day before, Founder, CEO and Chief Technology Officer of the Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, commonly known as “SpaceX”, Elon Musk joined by a video link the Q&A plenary session of the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). The session themed “Creating a more exciting future” was moderated by President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Clay Mowry. During the discussion, Elon Musk highlighted the activity of “SpaceX”, as well as Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket – collectively referred to as Starship, which represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond.

In conclusion, the awards and closing ceremony of IAC 2023 celebrated excellence, innovation, and international cooperation in the field of space exploration. The event not only recognized the outstanding contributions of participants but also highlighted the unity and commitment of the global space community. As the flag was passed to Italy, the anticipation for the 75th IAC in Milan in 2024 was palpable, promising another remarkable chapter in the history of space exploration congresses.