wsw

World Space Week runs from October 4th - 10th yearly, celebrating two milestone events:

October 4th, 1957: The Launch of Sputnik 1, the first human-made Earth satellite

October 10th, 1967: The Signing of the Outer Space Treaty (OST), or 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

What's particularly interesting about these two dates is how the first event influenced the second. The "Sputnik moment" elicited fear, wonder, possibility and an impulse for new competition and governance. To know that outer space exploration was in fact a reality set pace for a space race: a need to develop new technologies to reach beyond imagination and policies to ensure it was done safely and with co-operation in mind.

This balance between exploration, innovation, safety and co-operation can be seen in what the week represents, with events and communities celebrating all around the world!

WSW started in 1999, with each year containing a different theme. In 2026, the theme is Rocket Revolution!