WORLD SPACE WEEK OCTOBER 4-10

TO BE CELEBRATED GLOBALLY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

WORLDWIDE,  from 4 to 10 October, space is the buzz word during World Space Week, the largest annual public space event on Earth. With public and school activities in some 50 nations, World Space Week celebrates the contribution of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.

 

World Space Week is being celebrated for the ninth time since its declaration by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999.  Participants include universities and schools , science museums, aerospace industry, and astronomy clubs.  The events educate the public about space and inspire youth by resonating with their fascination with space.

 

"Exploring the universe"  is the theme for World Space Week 2008, encouraging participants to reflect on space as the next frontier. As a frontier, space offers bountiful resources of energy and materials, scientific discovery, as well as a path for permanent human expansion.  

 

Both this year’s theme and the hundreds of synchronized events this week aim at bringing space closer to the people and to their everyday thinking.

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"UN-declared World Space Week’s foremost goal is to educate the public about space and inspire the workforce of tomorrow," said Dennis Stone, President of the World Space Week Association.  "We invite the world to join in this celebration," he said.

 

Highlights of World Space Week 2008 include:

• 1,000 model rockets launched by students in 23 cities across Europe
• Wide range of events in such countries as Bulgaria, Ecuador, India, Namibia, South Africa, United States, Uruguay, Viet Nam, and Zambia
• Nearly 50 special events in Turkey.
• Teachers around the world using space to inspire students about learning.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE

Senator Barack Obama issued the following statement on World Space Week and the 50th Anniversary of the inception of NASA:

"This week, we join more than 50 nations around the world in celebrating World Space Week. And this year, as we mark the 50th anniversary of NASA, our space program is at a crossroads. As other countries are moving forward in space, my opponent's vision would cause us to fall unacceptably behind. His pledge to freeze all discretionary spending for programs other than veterans and defense would assure the loss of thousands of jobs in Florida, and seriously threaten America's leadership in space. I have a different vision. My plan to revitalize our space program will reduce the gap between the Space Shuttle's retirement and its next-generation replacement; and we'll increase funding for a robust human space exploration program and research that pushes the very boundaries of discovery. Throughout its history, NASA has united Americans to a common purpose and inspired the world with accomplishments we are still proud of. As President, I will lead NASA down a new path for the 21st century that guarantees our preeminence in space today, tomorrow, and the day NASA celebrates its 100th anniversary."

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Alexandra Ruths

Media Director, World Space Week Association

aruths@worldspaceweek.org