Scott No: 2731-32
Serial number: 1996-27
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: October 7, 1996
Designers: Yin Huili; Zhen Mingshu
Size: 50*30mm
Perforation: 12
Sheet composition: 40
Printing process: offset

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is a non-governmental, academic organization of the world Astronautical circles. The IAF was founded in 1950 with its headquarters in Paris. Its goal is to promote the exchange of the Astronautical science and technology, encourage the research into the space technology as well as the outer space technology and boost the development of the astronautical cause and the peaceful application of outer space. The organization now has 129 member organizations from 129 countries. Major astronautical organization, space groups and space companies in every country are its members. In 1980, the China Astronautical Association became a member of the IAF with the voting power. Since then, it has sent delegations to attend each ensuing IAF conference. Since the 34th International Astronautical Federation Conference in 1983, Chinese space experts Yang Jiachi, Lu Yuanjiu, Chen Fangyun and Liang Sili have been selected as chairman of the Organization Department of the IAF in succession.

The IAF founded the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) in 1960. Although they are closely linked, the two international astronautical organizations are relatively independent. In each IAF conference, the two organizations jointly hold academic activities with the IAF or hold them independently.

Each year, the IAF holds a large-scale academic conference in a member state and holds an international space exhibition, In the 45th International Astronautical Federation Conference, it was decided that the 47th International Astronautical Federation Conference would be held in Beijing from October 7 to 12, 1996 The organizer of the conference would be the China Astronautical Association. The site of the conference would be the China World, Trade Centre. Two thousand delegates from different countries would attend the conference. The activities to be held in the conference would include seminars on space science and technology in developing countries, academic conferences on international space law, the IAF member organization conferences, executive bureau conferences, various work and technology committee conferences, activities held by the IAA, IAF academic conferences and the international space exhibition.