It’s World Space Week!
- 28th Sep 2017
- Author: Tamela Maciel
Next week marks the start of World Space Week – a celebration of space past, present, and future held annually from 4-10 October.
With events being held around the world, and a whopping 771 events in the UK alone, there’s sure to be a celebration near you.
Of course, here at the National Space Centre, we’ve been counting down all year for this week!
What is World Space Week?
Nearly 20 years ago the United Nations decreed that space should have its very own week, such was its universal appeal and importance.
In December 1999, the UN General Assembly resolved:
“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”
This was great news for space fans – and a wonderful opportunity every year to raise awareness of how countries peacefully work together to do cutting-edge space exploration, and perhaps more importantly, to highlight how space technology is now vital to everyday life here on Earth.
But why the 4-10 October?
October has a lot of space anniversaries, from the day NASA began operation on 1 October 1958 to the launch of the first manned Apollo mission, Apollo 7, ten years later on 11 October 1967 (and if space history is your thing, check out our in-house space calendar).
But two dates are especially memorable – and book-end World Space Week every year.
- 4 October 1957 – The launch of world’s first satellite, Sputnik 1. This Soviet Union satellite sparked panic in America, kick started the Space Race, and paved the way for future space exploration.
- 10 October 1967 – The signing of 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’ – or more commonly known as just the Outer Space Treaty. This agreement sets out the international law in space and has been signed by 107 countries to date. It’s still the best framework for regulating space activities, but arguably needs a 21st century update with the increase of commercial space travel. More on this fascinating treaty in a future blog!
'Exploring New Worlds In Space'
Each year, World Space Week has a different theme and 2017 is particularly good – ‘Exploring New Worlds In Space’.
Of course every year there are spacecraft and astronauts pushing the boundaries in space, but some missions take us to where we’ve never been before.
Missions like New Horizons in 2015, which sent back such wonderful and startling images of Pluto and its moons, and the Rosetta mission that landed on a comet in 2014, both fundamentally changed how we think about the Solar System.
The theme also celebrates the feats of commercial companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, whose rocket landings are straight out of science fiction.
Reusable rockets promise to hugely bring down the cost of space travel – to the point that we may soon see space tourists circling the Moon.
At the National Space Centre
Of course here at the National Space Centre, we’ve got lots of special events happening for World Space Week 2017.
Sputnik 60
4 October 2017
Sixty years ago, on 4 October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 – the world’s first man-made satellite.
The National Space Centre houses its very own full-scale model of Sputnik 1 – made by Russian company, Znannia. This model was certified for accuracy by none other than the deputy principal designer of Sputnik 1 himself.
Join the National Space Centre team under Sputnik for a day of talks, crafts and original news from this historic day sixty years ago. Activities included with price of entry. No need to pre-book.
For more details: https://spacecentre.co.uk/event/sputnik-60/
A Day With An Apollo Astronaut
7 October 2017
We’re delighted to welcome Apollo 15 astronaut, Col. Alfred Merrill Worden to the National Space Centre on Saturday 7 October. Al Worden became one of just 24 people ever to have flown to the Moon during his Apollo 15 mission in 1971. As Command Module Pilot, Al Worden didn’t land on the Moon, but instead spent three days orbiting the Moon in isolation.
Such was his solitude that the Guinness Book of World Records still lists him as the ‘Most Isolated Human Being’, for being the most distant from another human at 3596 kilometres!
For more details and to book tickets:
https://spacecentre.co.uk/event/al-worden/
How To Build A Rover
7-8 October 2017
What does it take to build and drive a vehicle on Mars? Meet Bruno, the prototype Mars rover on a special visit from Airbus’ Mars Yard in Stevenage, and learn how UK engineers are tackling the extraordinary challenges of sending a rover to Mars.
Bruno will be on display in our Orbiting Earth gallery all day Saturday and Sunday, with talks at 12 and 1pm each day.
Activities included with price of entry. No need to pre-book.
Space Lates
7 October 2017
It couldn’t be World Space Week without a very special Space Lates edition. Join us Saturday 7 October from 6-9:30pm for an evening of special guests, drop-in demonstrations, crafts, and live stargazing with the Leicester Astronomical Society.
Meet BBC Astronauts finalist Dr Suzie Imber to learn how she uses space to scale uncharted mountains; find out how to build a Mars rover and see Bruno the Airbus rover in action in our galleries; hear the inspiring stories behind women in space, and much more!
Details and tickets (£5) available here:
https://spacecentre.co.uk/event/space-lates-october/
World Space Week Family Sleepover
7-8 October 2017
How would you like to spend the night in the galleries, have exclusive access to the Centre after hours, meet an Apollo astronaut and sit back for a family movie in the UK’s largest planetarium?
With lots of Space Lates activities, breakfast and, of course, a most unusual place to sleep, we hope you will join us for this special evening beneath the stars, with no chance of rain.
Details and tickets (update: SOLD OUT) here:
