World Space Week 2021: Theme, History And Events Planned By India and World For This Year
This year's theme of World Space Week is 'Women in Space’, which focuses on inspiring the next generation and celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women to the space sector
New Delhi: World Space Week is a United Nations-declared celebration of space held every year, from October 4 to October 10, as declared by the UN General Assembly in 1999.
World Space Week 2021 is dedicated to the theme of "Women in Space".
What is World Space Week?
World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of human condition.
In 2019, more than 8,000 events were celebrated across 96 countries. Thousands of organisations, including space agencies, aerospace companies, astronomy clubs, planetaria and museums organise space education and outreach events.
The UN coordinates the World Space Week with the support of the World Space Week Association (WSWA).
World Space Week History
October 4, the first day of the World Space Week, and October 10, the concluding day, commemorate two important events. On October 4, 1957, the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched, opening the way for space exploration.
On October 10, 1967, the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, was signed.
Before World Space Week was declared by the UN, Spaceweek, coordinated by WSWA, was observed as a celebration of the first Moon landing, each July 16-24. By 1999, Spaceweek had spread to more than 15 nations. The first celebration of World Space Week was held in 1999.
The Board of Directors of WSWA selects a theme every year to highlight an aspect of space, in close coordination with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs. In 2020, the theme was "Satellites Improve Life", with 6500 WSW events recorded in more than 90 countries.
World Space Week has several goals, such as providing unique leverage in space outreach and education, educating the world about the benefits received from space, encouraging greater use of space for sustainable economic development, demonstrate public support for space programs, increasing interest in science, technology, engineering and math in young minds, and fostering international cooperation.
World Space Week 2021 Theme
The 2021 theme of World Space Week is "Women in Space". The theme aims to increase awareness on the issue of gender diversity in the space sector, and to identify hindrances faced by women aspiring to enter space-related careers, and to help them overcome these challenges. About 20-22 per cent of the entire space industry workforce consists of women, and the theme wishes to address the different problems faced by women from different backgrounds.
This year's theme focuses on inspiring the next generation and celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women to the space sector.
A yearlong campaign and webinars were held on social media by WSWA to celebrate women in space.
Aerospace Companies such as Lockheed Martin and Airbus; the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs; space agencies such as in the UK, Kenya, Israel, Philippines and Pakistan; the Planetary Society, Space Foundation, Unistellar, SETI Institute and other space organisations are planning major events for WSW 2021.
Maruska Strah, the executive director of World Space Week Association, said Lisa Calahan, Lockheed Vice President who serves as honorary chair of World Space Week 2021, is a role model for girls enthusiastic about space.
The creative, innovative and popular events of World Space Week 2021, which will connect space enthusiasts are safe ways to participate in WSW during the global pandemic.
World Space Week 2021 In India
The Society for Space Education Research and Development (SSERD), a research institute in Bengaluru, is organising an Outreach Program from October 4 to October 17, which will include World Space Week celebrations in India and other countries.
SSERD Outreach Program 2021 aims to connect more than 1 million space enthusiasts, and includes celebrating World Space Week for seven days, from October 4 to October 10, and Outreach activities from October 11 to October 17, for school students, undergraduates, teachers and the common public globally, to provide them knowledge about space, science, and technology.
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Inertial Systems Unit started World Space Week celebrations in India with an inaugural programme on Monday.
World Space Week 2021 Events
- Space is Better Together: A weeklong event to be organised by Space Foundation in the United States, which will highlight the incredible impact women have had on the space sector.
- Build Your Own Model Satellite: A lecture and a competition on "Build Your Own Satellite" will be held by Phillippine Space Agency.
- Virtual events, Observation Challenges, Contests and More: To be organised by the SETI Institute, Unistellar, and The Planetary Society to help inspire a new generation of female space explorers.
- 100 Hours of Astronomy: Global event by the International Astronomical Union.
- Little People Collector "Inspiring Women" figure set: Fisher-Price initiative includes astronaut Sally Rides d aviator Amelia Earhart, to be launched during the World Space Week.
- Blast-off with Janet's Planet: US Space & Rocket Center event started on October 4, and will include activities, programs and giveaways every day.
- Women in Space gala: This event will be held on October 6, in Beer-Sheva, Israel. Yury Revich's new composition, Galaxonata, will be premiered at this event.
- Outreach Program: A two-week programme with webinars, workshops and competitions by the Society for Space Education Research and Development (SSERD) in India.
- Events by European Space Education Resource Office (ESERO): To be held in Portugal, Ireland, Spain, UK, Norway.
- Online forum by Kenya Space Agency: Will connect students, youth and professionals interested in space.
- Social Media Campaign by United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
- STEM awareness among students, with particular attention to gender equality
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