The Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) is a research infrastructure with a national dimension, embodying a bold vision for the development of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences in Portugal.

Currently the institute is the largest research unit of this area in Portugal, being responsible for the majority of the national productivity in international ISI journals in the area of Space Sciences. This is one of the scientific areas with the highest relative impact factor and highest average number of citations per article for Portugal.

The mission of the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço is to foster research with the highest impact in the field of astrophysics and space sciences and to support teaching and training of young researchers and students in close collaboration with the Universities of Lisbon Coimbra and Porto.

It also aims to promote wide-ranging science communication activities that enhance public understanding of the Universe and our place in it, as well as awareness of the importance of research in this field.