The IAF is an outstanding network of 433 space organization members from 72 countries, including all leading space agencies, companies, societies, associations, museums, and institutes worldwide. Being a part of it means belonging to a worldwide community that cooperates daily to promote space activities, develop new technologies, and promote awareness about space to government and societies, to involve them better and illustrate the benefits that might come from the utilization of space. Thanks to all its members, the IAF has been able to pursue these goals and its missions since its creation in 1951.

Every year, the IAF, with the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Institute of Space Law, organizes the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). The congress is hosted by one of the national society members of the IAF. The annual meeting brings together the main players in space discipline and is generally held in late September or early October. The conference consists of plenary sessions, lectures, and meetings. The IAC is attended by the agency heads and senior executives of the world's space agencies.

SAASST has participated in every IAC meeting since 2018, with an increasing number of papers accepted yearly, with 1 paper in 2018, 2 in 2019, 8 in 2020, 13 in 2021, and 16 in 2022. The rising number of papers accepted showcases the SAASST high profile research activities in all domains of space sciences applications. It also showcases the quality of research performed at the academy and the professionalism of all the research assistants and engineers to promote the image of the University of Sharjah at the world level.