"The General Assembly declares 4 to 10 October World Space Week to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition"
Image credit: 2012 World Space Week Association
World Space Week theme for 2012: Space for Human Safety and Security
World Space Week is an annual event, observed during the week of 4-10 October.
By Resolution 54/68 of 6 December 1999, the General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week, to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
The dates recall the launch, on 4 October 1957, of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, and the entry into force, on 10 October 1967, of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world. It builds the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring students, demonstrates visible public support for the space program, educates the public about space activities, and fosters international cooperation into space outreach and education. Since 2007, more than 94 nations have participated in more than 2,250 events with more than 1.3 million attendees.
Each year a theme is selected by the World Space Week Association Board of Directors in close coordination with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs. The theme provides broad guidance to World Space Week participants on the content of their programs. The theme is selected to increase the impact of World Space Week on all humanity further, by using a uniform theme globally.
The theme for 2012, “Space for Human Safety and Security”, has been chosen by the World Space Week Association to celebrate the many ways in which satellites improve our daily lives. Earth observation, navigation and telecommunication satellites are used everyday to protect humans and safeguard our environment. Some of their many important roles are:
- Supporting humanitarian aid efforts, such as planning the delivery of food and medicines to remote areas
- Monitoring urban sprawl
- Contributing to the safety of maritime routing
- Aiding search and rescue operations
- Measuring air quality and pollution levels
- Monitoring deforestation and desertification
- Tracking forest fires, floods and the damage caused by other natural disasters