Acta Astronautica

Acta Astronautica
Title	Acta Astronautica
Discipline	Aerospace engineering, Astronautics
Editor	Jean-Marc Salotti
Publisher	Elsevier
Country	Netherlands
History	1974–present
Frequency	Monthly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Impact	2.5
Impact-year	2022
ISSN	0094-5765
EISSN	1879-2030
Website	https://www.journals.elsevier.com/acta-astronautica
CODEN	AASTCF

Acta Astronautica. It is a prominent monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all fields of astronautics and related space science disciplines. Established in 1974, it serves as the official journal of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). The publication is renowned for disseminating high-quality research on space exploration, technology, and policy to a global audience of scientists, engineers, and policymakers.

History and background

The journal was founded in 1974 under the auspices of the International Academy of Astronautics, an organization co-founded by Theodore von Kármán. Its creation was driven by the need for a dedicated scholarly periodical following the rapid advancements of the Space Age, epitomized by missions like Apollo 11 and the development of programs such as NASA's Space Shuttle. Early editorial leadership included influential figures from the global aerospace community, solidifying its role as a key archival record for technical progress in the field. Over the decades, it has chronicled major milestones, from the era of the International Space Station to contemporary projects like the James Webb Space Telescope and missions to Mars by agencies including ESA and Roscosmos.

Scope and content

The journal publishes original research articles, review papers, and short communications across a broad spectrum of aerospace topics. Primary areas include spacecraft design, propulsion systems, orbital mechanics, astrobiology, space debris mitigation, and planetary defense. It also features significant coverage of space policy, space law, and the socio-economic aspects of space exploration, such as studies related to the Outer Space Treaty. Special issues are frequently organized in collaboration with major conferences like those of the International Astronautical Congress or focused on specific programs like the Artemis program. The content bridges fundamental science, as conducted at institutions like MIT and Caltech, with applied engineering from organizations such as SpaceX and Boeing.

Abstracting and indexing

*Acta Astronautica* is extensively abstracted and indexed in major scientific databases, ensuring wide dissemination and discoverability of its research. Key indexing services include the Science Citation Index Expanded, part of Clarivate's Web of Science, Scopus from Elsevier, and Inspec. It is also covered by Compendex, PubMed Central, and the Astrophysics Data System. This comprehensive indexing contributes to its Impact factor and other bibliometric metrics, which are tracked by organizations like the Journal Citation Reports. The journal's inclusion in these databases makes it a fundamental resource for literature reviews and meta-analyses within the aerospace field.

Impact and influence

The journal holds a significant position in the aerospace community, with a 2022 Impact factor of 2.5. It is considered a high-quality venue for publishing cutting-edge research that often informs both academic study and practical mission planning. Papers published in the journal are regularly cited in proposals and technical documents for major agencies like NASA, the European Space Agency, and JAXA. Its influence extends to policy forums, including discussions at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The journal has also contributed to foundational knowledge for historic endeavors, from the Voyager program to the Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions.

Editorial board and governance

The journal operates under the governance of the International Academy of Astronautics and is published by Elsevier. The Editor-in-Chief is Jean-Marc Salotti, supported by a large international editorial board comprising leading experts from institutions worldwide. Board members include representatives from prominent entities like the Russian Academy of Sciences, ISRO, CNES, and major universities such as Stanford University and the University of Tokyo. This diverse board ensures rigorous peer review and maintains the journal's standards across its multidisciplinary scope. The editorial process aligns with publishing ethics guidelines set by bodies like the Committee on Publication Ethics.

Related publications

Within the ecosystem of aerospace literature, *Acta Astronautica* is closely associated with other major journals. These include Advances in Space Research, published by COSPAR, and the Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Other related periodicals are Space Policy, which focuses on governance, and Icarus, which emphasizes planetary science. The journal also shares a thematic connection with conference proceedings from the International Astronautical Federation and archival publications from agencies like NASA's technical report server.

Category:Aerospace engineering journals Category:Elsevier academic journals Category:Publications established in 1974 Category:English-language journals Category:Monthly journals