, website = https://indiaspaceweek.org
World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday
observed from October 4 to 10 in over 95 nations throughout the world. World Space Week is officially defined as "an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition". World Space week is organized every year by coordination of the World Space Week Association (WSWA) and the
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...
(UN).
History
On December 6, 1999, The
United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...
declared World Space Week as an annual event celebration to be commemorated between October 4 and 10. The choice of dates was based on recognition of two important dates in space history: the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite,
Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957; and the signing of the
Outer Space Treaty
russian: link=yes, Договор о космосе es, link=yes, Tratado sobre el espacio ultraterrestre
, long_name = Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moo ...
on October 10, 1967.
World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world. In 2019, World Space Week was celebrated with over 8,000 events in 96 countries. Events included school activities, exhibitions, government events, and special activities at planetaria around the world.
Annual themes
Each year, a theme for World Space Week is established by the Board of Directors of World Space Week Association. Under the theme "The Moon: Gateway to the Stars", many events of World Space Week 2019 focused on the 50th anniversary of the
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 (July 16–24, 1969) was the American spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module ''Eagle'' on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC, ...
landing, plans for human exploration of the Moon, and Lunar observation by telescope.
In 2022, theme of World Space Week is "Space and Sustainability.". In 2021, "Women in Space" was the theme. In 2020, the theme for World Space Week was "Satellites Improve Life", and
SES CEO Steve Collar was World Space Week 2020 Honorary Chair.
Activities and observances
The World Space Week Association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, which is supported by national coordinators in over 50 nations. It is led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors including
Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin (; born Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr.; January 20, 1930) is an American former astronaut, engineer and fighter pilot. He made three spacewalks as pilot of the 1966 Gemini 12 mission. As the Lunar Module ''Eagle'' pilot on the 1969 A ...
,
Bill Nye the Science Guy,
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. Ha ...
,
Dumitru Prunariu
Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu (; born 27 September 1952) is a Romanian cosmonaut. He flew in space aboard Soyuz 40 spacecraft and Salyut 6 space laboratory. He teamed with the Soviet cosmonaut Leonid Popov. The backup crew was made of Romanian candida ...
, and space leaders from around the world. Its goals are to educate people around the world about the benefits that they receive from space, encourage use of space for sustainable economic development, foster enthusiastic education and interest in science and cooperation between nations through space outreach and education.
The association provides resources for educators in grade K-12.
A Calendar of Events from nations celebrating World Space Week is available.
World Space Week.
SPACE India
is the only Regional Coordinator of World Space Week In India.
See also
*International Day of Human Space Flight
The International Day of Human Space Flight is the annual celebration, held on 12 April, of the anniversary of the first human space flight by Yuri Gagarin (USSR). It was proclaimed at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 7 A ...
References
External links
World Space Week
The United Nations
World Space Week website
{{Portal bar, Astronomy, Stars, Spaceflight, Outer space, Solar System
Awareness weeks
October observances
Space advocacy
Space Week, World