World Space Week 2006 Report

The United Nations Information Service (UNIS), in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Austrian Aeronautics and Space Agency invited 50 children from a primary school in Vienna, Austria, to celebrate World Space Week 2006 at the United Nations in Vienna on 10 October. The children, aged 6-10, visited a UN conference room and the UNOOSA permanent space exhibit, where they were briefed by experts of the Austrian Aeronautics and Space Agency on how satellites work, and how satellite technology can help solve problems on Earth. Following this introduction, the children held a Model UN Conference on Outer Space, with every child representing a different country, at which they discussed whether a limited budget should be spent on building a hotel in outer space, or for buying more satellites to monitor the deforestation of the rainforest and help solve environmental problems on Earth. After a lively discussion, the Conference voted in favour of buying more satellites. The children were awarded certificates of participation by UNOOSA, and given souvenirs sponsored by UNOOSA, the European Space Agency, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Austrian Aeronautics and Space Agency. For more photos, see http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/wsw/2006/index.html.

At the University of Salzburg there was the AustroMars Science conference. This was the closure event of the AustroMars Mission, which was held at the Mars desert research station in Utah, simulating an 14 Day stay of 6 Analog-Astronauts on the planet Mars. At the conference 40 national and international scientists were discussing 3 days the scientific results of this very successful Austrian mission.

At the same time Marsnight 2006, organized by the Austrian Space Forum, was celebrated in Hallein. It was a mixture of exhibition and show, focused on the exploration of Mars. The AustroMars Analog-Astronauts were discussing the peaceful exploration of Mars and the solar system and special lectures were held.

In St.Poelten/Lower Austria, a mars exploration lecture in connection with a small exhibition on Mars exploration was hosted at a high school. In the evening during a benefit event, a very special cake was presented by a confectioner, the "Marscake".

In Salzburg, experts from the Austrian Space Forum gave a 2-day public course on astronomy and space exploration.

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