World Space Week

World Space Week
World Space Week logo
Observed by Worldwide
Type United Nations
Begins October 4
Ends October 10
Date October 4
Frequency annual

World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from 4–10 October in various parts of the world, including Europe and Asia. World Space Week is officially defined as "an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition."[1]

History

On December 6, 1999, The United Nations General Assembly declared World Space Week as an annual event celebration to be commemorated between October 4–10. 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 on October 10, 1967.[2]

World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world.[3] In 2017, World Space Week was celebrated with over 3,700 events in 80 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 "Exploring New Worlds in Space", many events of World Space Week 2017 focused on plans for human exploration of space and recent discoveries of Earth-like planets in nearby solar systems. [4][5]

In 2018, the theme for World Space Week will be "Space Unites the World." This in part recognizes the historic UNISPACE+50 gathering to be held in Vienna this year.

Activities and observances

The World Space Week Association is a non-government, 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, Bill Nye, Tom Hanks, Elon Musk, Dorin-Dumitru Prunariu, Max Grimard, Lisa LaBonte, 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.[6]

The association provides resources for educators in grade K-12.[7]

A Calendar of Events from nations celebrating World Space Week is available.[8]

References

  1. ↑ World Space Week, General Assembly, The United Nations
  2. ↑ World Space Week Archived 2012-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. UN General Assembly
  3. ↑ UN launches into World Space Week highlighting contributions of space science to humanity The United Nations News Center; October 4, 2012
  4. ↑ "Report on World Space Week 2000/2007". Worldspaceweek.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  5. ↑ "UN Report on World Space Week 2007, ST/SPACE/38". Worldspaceweek.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  6. ↑ "About World Space Week". Worldspaceweek.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  7. ↑ "Teacher Activity Guide". Worldspaceweek.org. Archived from the original on 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
  8. ↑ Calendar of Events 2012 World Space Week; The United Nations
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