World Space Week
Encyclopedia
World Space Week is an annual observance held from October 4 to October 10 established by the United Nations General Assembly
to be an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition
. World Space Week is coordinated by the United Nations
Office for Outer Space Affairs with the support of World Space Week Association, a non-government organization.
The start and end dates of World Space Week recognize 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.
In 2007, World Space Week was celebrated in 54 countries and in space. A total of 435 events were reported in 244 cities, with attendance of over 377,000 and media audience of over 26,000,000. Events included rocket launches, school activities, exhibits, political events, and special events at planetaria around the world. Under the theme "50 Years in Space", many events of World Space Week 2007 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the space age which began with the launch of Sputnik I on October 4, 1957. In space, Bigelow Aerospace illuminated its Genesis spacecraft with the World Space Week logo and beamed photos that week to Earth.
In 2008, the theme for World Space Week was "Exploring the Universe". In 2009, the theme was "Space for Education". "Mysteries of the Cosmos" was the theme in 2010.
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 Tom Hanks, Buzz Aldrin, Bill Nye, and space leaders from around the world.
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
to be an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition
Human condition
The human condition encompasses the experiences of being human in a social, cultural, and personal context. It can be described as the irreducible part of humanity that is inherent and not connected to gender, race, class, etc. — a search for purpose, sense of curiosity, the inevitability of...
. World Space Week is coordinated by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Office for Outer Space Affairs with the support of World Space Week Association, a non-government organization.
The start and end dates of World Space Week recognize the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1 ) was the first artificial satellite to be put into Earth's orbit. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957. The unanticipated announcement of Sputnik 1s success precipitated the Sputnik crisis in the United States and ignited the Space...
, on October 4, 1957; and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty
Outer Space Treaty
The Outer Space Treaty, formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, is a treaty that forms the basis of international space law...
on October 10, 1967.
In 2007, World Space Week was celebrated in 54 countries and in space. A total of 435 events were reported in 244 cities, with attendance of over 377,000 and media audience of over 26,000,000. Events included rocket launches, school activities, exhibits, political events, and special events at planetaria around the world. Under the theme "50 Years in Space", many events of World Space Week 2007 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the space age which began with the launch of Sputnik I on October 4, 1957. In space, Bigelow Aerospace illuminated its Genesis spacecraft with the World Space Week logo and beamed photos that week to Earth.
In 2008, the theme for World Space Week was "Exploring the Universe". In 2009, the theme was "Space for Education". "Mysteries of the Cosmos" was the theme in 2010.
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 Tom Hanks, Buzz Aldrin, Bill Nye, and space leaders from around the world.