World Space Week (WSW) kicks off October 4 with thousands of events globally, inspiring the next generation and celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of women to the space sector. The events will continue through October 10.

“This year’s theme, ‘Women in Space,’ celebrates women who significantly contributed to the space sector.” said Maruska Strah, World Space Week Association Executive Director.

Major events are planned by 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; as well as the Planetary Society, Space Foundation, Unistellar, SETI Institute and other space organizations. Schools globally, science museums and planetariums, astronomy clubs, and others will also celebrate WSW 2021.

Highlights of planned WSW events are listed at www.worldspaceweek.org/world-space-week-highlights

October 4-10 was declared World Space Week in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly as an annual celebration. In 2020, over 6,500 WSW events were recorded in over 90 countries.

This year’s theme focuses on the many contributions of women to the space sector, the Association said. It held webinars and led a year-long campaign on social media celebrating women with significant space accomplishments to provide role models for girls and set the stage for the world-wide October celebrations.

“One such role model is Lisa Calahan, Lockheed Vice President, who serves as Honorary Chair of World Space Week 2021,” Strah said.

The public is invited to attend WSW events in their countries or on-line, most of which are free. They are listed at www.worldspaceweek.org, said the Association.

About World Space Week

The largest space event on Earth, UN-declared World Space Week is celebrated October 4-10 annually. It is an international celebration of the contribution of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. World Space Week consists of a myriad of space-related events held by space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, astronomy clubs, and others in a common timeframe to achieve greater student and public impact through synchronization.

Source: https://www.worldspaceweek.org/news/world-space-week-begins-october-4/