2019 theme: “The Moon: Gateway to the Stars”
The theme of World Space Week 2019 is “The Moon: Gateway to the Stars”. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of humankind’s first step on the Moon on 20 July 1969. For the first time in our 200,000-year existence, we were not solely bound to Earth anymore. The theme is devoted to our nearest space neighbor to celebrate the incredible achievement of landing on the Moon and to spark consideration of the value of the Moon in humankind’s future space endeavors.
By Resolution 54/68 of 6 December 1999, the General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week, to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
The dates commemorate the launch, on 4 October 1957, of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I, and the entry into force, on 10 October 1967, of 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 is the largest annual space event in the world. It helps build up the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring students, demonstrates visible public support for the space programme, educates the public about space activities, and fosters international cooperation in space outreach and education. World Space Week 2018 was celebrated with more than 5,000 events in over 80 countries.
Each year a theme is selected by the World Space Week Association Board of Directors in close coordination with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs. The theme provides broad guidance to World Space Week participants on the content of their programmes. The theme is selected to increase the impact of World Space Week on all humanity further, by using a uniform theme globally.