World Space Week 2023 under the slogan “Space and Entrepreneurship”

Arabia Weather - Today, Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the world celebrates “World Space Week,” which is considered the largest annual event dedicated to space in the world. This event aims to raise public awareness about space activities and promote international cooperation in spreading awareness and education on space issues.

World Space Week

World Space Week has been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly since December 1999, and is celebrated annually from October 4 to 10 . This global event aims to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to improving and advancing human life.

World Space Week 2023 under the slogan “Space and Entrepreneurship”

The theme “Space and Entrepreneurship” was chosen as the theme for World Space Week in 2023. The event focuses on the importance of the space industry for the growing commercial purposes and diverse opportunities it offers for space entrepreneurship. Small companies are now able to design and launch small satellites. These developments also allow entrepreneurs to build new and valuable databases that benefit governments and the space industry.

World Space Week 2023 contributes to the following:

• Inspiring students around the world to take an interest in STEM and business.
• Providing an opportunity for space industry companies to employ the necessary human resources to enhance the growth of the growing commercial space industry.
• It is an important forum for discussions on the transformation of low Earth orbit towards an ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship and contributes to the development and better exploitation of space.

Launching the first artificial satellite in history

On October 4, 1957, the first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into outer space. This event opened the door to space exploration.

Then, on April 12, 1961, Soviet Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth, marking the opening of a new chapter in human adventures in outer space.

On October 10, 1967, the Carta Magna Space Treaty, the basic instrument of international space law, was implemented. This treaty is officially 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.

World Space Week and the United Nations

According to the United Nations, space science, technology and applications are increasingly being used to support a wide range of UN activities. At least 25 bodies from the United Nations and the World Bank Group routinely use space applications. These applications make important, and sometimes essential, contributions to the work of the United Nations, including the implementation of the recommendations of major global conferences, in efforts to achieve sustainable development.

The United Nations was founded in the early period of the Space Age, and realized the importance of outer space and its contribution to improving the lives of humanity in general. The General Assembly adopted Resolution 1348 (XII), entitled “The Question of the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space,” the first United Nations resolution related to space. This resolution was an expression of the United Nations' encouragement to fully explore and exploit outer space for the benefit of humanity and to achieve peace and development.

Sources: www.un.org