Commemoration
Panel discussion with astronauts, space scientists and creative writers
The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) observed the annual International Day of Human Space Flight on Thursday, 12 April 2012. The Day, only in its second year of observance, provided an opportunity for the international community to highlight the role of outer space as the province of all humankind for peaceful purposes and common benefits.
The UN Headquarters programme 
, held at the ECOSOC Chamber from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, included panel discussions and musical selections from a forthcoming CD titled "The Mighty Sky", intended to familiarise students with the wonders of space research.
Participants:
- H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the General Assembly, made remarks at the opening session.
- Mr. Charles Bolden, Administrator of the National Aeronautical Space Administration (NASA) in the United States was the keynote speaker.
- Participants included space scientists and scholars from the Russian Federation, Handong Global University (Republic of Korea), Vanderbilt University and the Space Telescope Science Institute (United States).
- Noted authors Dava Sobel ("Galileo’s Daughter") and Howard Scherry (on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and "The Little Prince”) also spoke.
- Students formed the greater part of the audience.
The event was webcast.
Space tours
Interested in seeing the Moon rock and exploring the longest human outpost in outer space — the International Space Station?
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), in cooperation with the United Nations Visitors Service, is organizing Space Tours in Vienna on Thursday, 12 April 2012, at 10:00am, 12:00pm and 2:00pm (local time).