Created in 1987, the International Space University (ISU) is an interdisciplinary, intercultural, and international academic institution preparing individuals to respond to the current needs and the increasing and evolving demands of the space sector in a rapidly changing world. Excellence in space education for a changing world and the international network of friends and contacts are a unique result of three primary academic ISU programs: the Master of Science in Space Studies (MSS) and the Master of Science in Space Management (MSM), the Summer Session Program (SSP). The permanent campus is located in Strasbourg, France.

Supporters of ISU include many of the world's space industrialists, in addition to space agencies from the four corners of the globe: Russia (RKP), USA (NASA), Japan (NASDA), Canada (CSA), Europe (ESA), India (ISRO), and China, among others. As a result, Alumni have come from each continent but also from each imaginable career path; Law, Architecture, Engineering, Science, Business, Management, Medicine, Psychology, Education, and the list goes on.

ISU believes that space programs cannot remain isolated activities undertaken by a narrow community. They must become a global undertaking of humanity in which cultural diversities flourish, producing innovative solutions to world problems. Political, financial and technical constraints in the space sector are increasing the tendency to seek international cooperation in economically viable ventures. So far, discipline-specific programs have prepared specialists to work in space applications, engineering, science, management, space policy or law. However, today's challenges require professionals capable of a comprehensive vision in order to deal with the physical, social, political, and economic environment in which space programs evolve. They must therefore have a good understanding of the full range of space-related disciplines. This basic concept calls for a non-traditional approach to the education of tomorrow's space professionals.