A look at science and technology on World Space Week

The week is organised by the UN to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.

World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.

The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10.

October 4 commemorates the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1 in 1957, which opened the way for space exploration.

October 10 commemorates the signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the activites of states in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies in 1967.

World Space Week consists of space education and outreach events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs around the world in a common timeframe.

These synchronized space events attract greater public and media attention. World Space Week 2023 achieved record scale of more than 16,000 events and events being held in 83 nations.

World Space Week is coordinated by the United Nations with the support of the World Space Week Association (WSWA).

The WSWA leads a global team of National Coordinators, who promote the celebration of World Space Week within their own countries.

The aim is to create outreach events that will educate more people about space, demonstrate public support for space programmes, and excite young people about space, technology, engineering, and maths.