It is with great pleasure that I invite you, on behalf of the local organising committee, to join us at the 59th International Astronautical Congress to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, between 29 September and 3 October 2008.

The venue for this event is the state of the art Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and the Crowne Plaza Hotel, situated on the banks of the River Clyde.

IAC 2008 will provide an international focus for the global space industry, academic researchers and students worldwide through the presentation of the latest ideas, current activities and future ambitions across a diverse range of space-related topics.

The city of Glasgow is an important international centre for business, education and the arts and provides an excellent meeting place, mid-way between West and East, to host the exchange of ideas and stimulation of new concepts by participants from all nations through a combination of technical sessions, social and outreach events.

I sincerely hope that you will join us at the IAC 2008 in Glasgow and contribute to this unique space forum.

Sir Martin Sweeting

Chairman of the organising committee.