The Association of Space Explorers is a non-profit organization with a membership composed of people who have completed at least one Earth orbit in space (above 100 km (62 mi), as defined by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
[1] The organization provides a forum for the promotion of space exploration, as well as space science and engineering and environmental awareness.
Inspired by his friendship with author Michael Murphy and involvement in the Esalen Institute's Soviet-American Exchange Program, NASA astronaut Rusty Schweickart established the Association along with cosmonauts Alexei Leonov, Vitaly Sevastyanov, and Georgi Grechko.
[2] The Planetary Congress of the Association of Space Explorers is an annual forum for ASE members.
[3] It is held in a different host country every year.