International Atomic Energy Agency

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization that works with its member states and partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. While not directly involved in building or launching space systems, the IAEA plays a crucial role in developing safety standards and providing guidance for the use of nuclear power sources (NPS) in space. They collaborate with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to address safety issues related to nuclear power in space, including applications like radioisotope thermoelectric generators and nuclear reactors for power and propulsion. The IAEA also provides a forum for information exchange on space NPS and helps countries respond to accidents involving radioactive materials launched into space.