Houston, Texas – March 26, 2025
World Space Week Association (WSWA) today announced that over 15,000 events took place in 90 countries during the UN-declared World Space Week, October 4-10, marking 2024 as another year of strong participation worldwide.
Peter Platzer, Executive Chair of Spire Global, served as the Honorary Chair for World Space Week 2024. The theme of World Space Week 2024, Space & Climate Change, focused on how space technology and research contribute to climate monitoring, environmental sustainability, and disaster management. Events worldwide highlighted space-based climate solutions and inspired young minds to pursue careers in both space and Earth sciences. “World Space Week 2024 spotlighted the immense contributions of space technology in understanding and mitigating climate change,” said WSWA Executive Director, Alma Okpalefe. “Through global collaboration, we are demonstrating that space is an essential tool for protecting our home planet.”
Over 9,000 organizers hosted various events throughout the week, bringing together space agencies, companies, and educators to inspire global engagement with space. “This year’s World Space Week demonstrated the power of space in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time—climate change,” said WSWA President, Dennis Stone. “The growing number of events shows how space plays a crucial role in monitoring and protecting our planet, and we commend the global space community for amplifying this message.”
Highlights of the week in the WSWA Annual Report include:
- The UK Space Agency, NI SPACE, and DAERA marked WSW 2024 by launching a £360K competition to develop satellite-based solutions for monitoring blue-green algae in Lough Neagh. The project aims to advance water quality tracking using space technology.
- Cosmic Girls™ Foundation launched the global “6 Girls 6 Continents Competition” during World Space Week 2024. Six young women, aged 14-19, from around the world will be selected for astronaut training, with one winner earning a suborbital spaceflight.
- NASA Astronaut Steve Swanson joined MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory for a World Space Week tour across Ireland, starting on October 4. Traveling through Ireland, the tour brought space education to communities along the way.
The theme for World Space Week 2025 is Living in Space. Dr. Robert Lightfoot, President of Lockheed Martin Space serves as the Honorary Chair. “With this year’s theme, Living in Space, we celebrate the future of human presence beyond Earth, from building lunar habitats to developing technologies that sustain life on Mars,” Lightfoot said. “As we work toward that future, supporting initiatives like World Space Week is essential in inspiring the next generation and strengthening global engagement in space.” A full report on WSW 2024 can be found on https://2024report.worldspaceweek.org/.
About World Space Week
Declared by the United Nations, World Space Week is celebrated annually from October 4-10. It is the largest space event on Earth, showcasing the significant contributions of space science and technology to society. World Space Week brings together space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, museums, and astronomy clubs worldwide to educate and inspire people about the benefits and future of space exploration.
About World Space Week Association
World Space Week Association is the global coordinator of World Space Week. An international non-government, non-profit organization, the Association is a permanent observer on the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. It is supported by voluntary contributions from sponsors, including Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Eutelsat Group, Viasat, Airbus, Spire, Vast and Kuwait Investment Company. Founded in 1982, WSWA is one of the world’s longest-running space advocacy organizations.
Media Contact:
Ilayda Edali,
iedali@worldspaceweek.org