51³Ô¹Ï

World Space Week

By  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.

World Space Week is the largest annual space event in the world. the weeks helps build up the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring students; demonstrates visible public support for the space programme; educates the public about space activities; and fosters international cooperation in space outreach and education.

Each year a theme is selected by the Association Board of Directors in close coordination with the . The theme provides broad guidance to World Space Week participants on the content of their programmes. The theme is selected to increase the impact of World Space Week on all humanity further, by using a uniform theme globally.

Background

On 4 October 1957, the launch into outer space of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, opened the way for space exploration. A decade later, on 10 October 1967, the entered into force.

Space science and technology and their applications are increasingly being used to support a wide range of 51³Ô¹Ï activities. At least 25 51³Ô¹Ï entities and the World Bank Group routinely use space applications. They make important and sometimes essential contributions to the work of the 51³Ô¹Ï, including in the implementation of recommendations of major world conferences and those of the Third 51³Ô¹Ï Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (), as well as support towards .

As a consequence, coordination, cooperation and synergy are essential for those activities to be effectively carried out by the 51³Ô¹Ï system. The annual sessions of the Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities are the main means of achieving that synergy. The effectiveness of the Meeting has been further enhanced by the holding, since 2004, of an open informal session immediately after the end of the Meeting, as a means of engaging Member States, in a direct and informal setting, in important space-related developments in the 51³Ô¹Ï system. The agenda of the Inter-Agency Meeting is reviewed at each session and adapted to current operational needs.

UN and Space

From the very beginning of the Space Age, the 51³Ô¹Ï recognized that outer space added a new dimension to humanity's existence. The 51³Ô¹Ï family strives continuously to utilize the unique benefits of outer space for the betterment of all humankind.

Recognizing the common interest of humankind in outer space and seeking to answer questions on how outer space can help benefit the people's of Earth, the General Assembly adopted its first resolution related to outer space, resolution 1348 (XIII) entitled "Question of the Peaceful Use of Outer Space".

On 10 October 1967, the "Magna Carta of Space", also known as the entered into force.

Today, the (UNOOSA) is the 51³Ô¹Ï office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. UNOOSA serves as the secretariat for the General Assembly's only committee dealing exclusively with international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space: the (COPUOS).

UNOOSA is also responsible for implementing the Secretary-General's responsibilities under and maintaining the 51³Ô¹Ï Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

To learn more, view the .