Highlighting the importance of space and its applications for humankind, the United Nations is celebrating World Space Week 2018 with a focus on the role the cosmos plays in bringing people together, back on earth.
“Space Unites the World,” the theme for World Space Week (WSW) 2018 is inspired by UNISPACE+50 – a UN conference in June this year – that brought together leaders in exploration, and experts on space applications from all over the globe.
In addition to promoting cooperation between space-faring and emerging space nations, UNISPACE+50 saw the Member States pledge their collective efforts to enhance the ways space science is used for sustainable development.
Marked annually from 4-10 October, World Space Week commemorates the launch of Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite to be put into orbit, by the Soviet Union, on 4 October 1957, as well as the entry into force just over a decade later, of what’s formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
Since 2007, over 94 nations have participated in more than 2,250 Space Week events, drawing more than 1.3 million attendees.
Original source: UN News
Published on 4 October 2018
