Scientist of our Institute became new member of International Academy of Astronautics

Space engineer Ján Baláž from the Institute of Experimental Physics SAS became a full member of the International Academy of Astronautics IAA. The IAA has been bringing together the world’s leading experts in basic research, space engineering, space biomedicine and social sciences, including such cosmonautics pioneers as Theodore von Kármán, Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong. Currently, they include other world-famous figures in astronautics or space engineering such as Buzz Aldrin or Elon Musk. This significant success confirms that Slovakia is among the world leaders in the field of space research.

His fundamental contributions to seventeen scientific missions of several space agencies contributed to successful election of Ján Baláž as a member of the IAA. Among the most important are the ESA Rosetta mission, which carried out the first ever landing on a comet, and the ESA BepiColombo mission, which is currently flying to Mercury and has already recorded its first scientific successes during close flybys of Venus and Mercury itself. Currently, the ESA JUICE mission to Jupiter’s moons Europa, Ganymede and Kallisto is awaiting launch.

“I greatly appreciate being elected as a member of the IAA, it is one of the highest awards in the field of space science and astronautics,” emphasizes Ján Baláž.

Regular membership in the IAA is preceded by a candidate’s appointment as a corresponding member. Ján Baláž received this status in 2019. “The standard prerequisite for election is nominations from three full members of the academy from three different countries. Their international authority also plays an important role for the success of the election,” explains the astronautic academician. Important proponents of Ján Baláž were academicians Dr. Ladislav Macho (former chairman of the SAS) from Slovakia, prof. Susan McKenna-Lawlor from Ireland and prof. Stas Barabash from Sweden.

Ján Baláž became a member of the Engineering Sciences section and the Space Technology commission. “Together with colleagues from the commission we will participate in the preparation of materials and recommendations in the field of space technologies,” adds the scientist.

The introduction ceremony of the new astronautical academics took place on September 17, 2022 at a gala dinner on the occasion of the International Astronautical Congress IAC 2022 at the IAA headquarters in Paris. An academic day was held as part of the congress, during which Slovakia was introduced to the world astronautic community as a future associate member of the European Space Agency ESA. The presentation of Slovakia to a number of invited guests from the field of astronautics was provided by the Slovak Space Office at the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic in cooperation with the SARIO agency and the Slovak Embassy in France.

The International Academy of Astronautics was founded in Stockholm in 1960 by the prominent astronaut pioneer Theodore von Kármán. Its goals are to ensure a high standard and recognition of the achievement of its members, to investigate and lead discussion of current problems in space research and technology, and to provide guidance in the peaceful uses and research of space in cooperation with national scientific and engineering institutions. Currently it has 1,200 members from 65 countries. A guiding principle of the IAA is broad internationalism, close cooperation with national academies in order to develop progress that transcends national borders, cultures and institutions.

Original text: News at SAS