World Space Week 2023: History, significance and theme

World Space Week is observed every year starting from October 4 to October 10. This is one of the largest annual space events worldwide. The week is aimed at inspiring students and educating the public about space activities. World Space Week is also an occasion to garner support for various space programmes and to build international cooperation in space outreach, according to the United Nations.

World Space Week was after a resolution was passed by the UN General Assembly on December 6, 1999. The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.

The beginning and closing dates of World Space Week were chosen to commemorate two significant events in space exploration. One of them occurred on October 4, 1957, when the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched. On October 10, 1967, a treaty was signed to ensure the peaceful use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. Hence, thousands of people from around the world participate to celebrate the week between October 4 and October 10 every year.

Every year, thousands of people across the world participate in the global celebration of honouring science and technological developments. During World Space Week, several educational programmes on topics of space such as webinars and outreach programmes are organised by schools, museums, aerospace organisations, and space agencies. The primary aim of these programmes is to discuss the benefits humans have gained from space exploration. The week is also an occasion to promote the greater use of space for sustainable economic development and encourage the youth to show interest in space exploration.

World Space Week is celebrated with a specified theme announced by the World Space Week Association every year. The theme for World Space Week 2023 is “Space and Entrepreneurship”. This theme will cover the evolving scenario of the commercial space industry and its growing influence on humankind.