World Space Week to be celebrated from 4th
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The World Space Week would be celebrated across the globe including Pakistan from Wednesday to Tuesday next.
The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10. These dates were chosen for very specific reasons. The 4th of October 1957 was the date of the launch into outer space of the first human-made Earth satellite, SPUTNIK I, thus opening the way for space exploration.
World Space Week closes on 10 October, the date in 1967 when 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 entered into force.
The World Space Week 2006 theme is "Space for Saving Lives." It is dedicated to the important role of space in disaster management, telemedicine, and protecting the environment. Each year's theme provides broad guidance to World Space Week participants on the content of their programs. The theme is selected to increase the impact of World Space Week on all humanity.
Further, by using a uniform theme globally, World Space Week demonstrates unprecedented global cooperation in space. The theme is selected by the SIA Board of Directors in close coordination with the United Office of Outer Space Affairs.
Schools and teachers across the globe use space this week to inspire students to learn. The ultimate goal is to promote math, science, technology and engineering education by nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work of today's space explorers.
The Week promotes institutions around the world that are involved in space Fosters international cooperation in space outreach and education. Every year World Space Week tries to encourage, educate and support space exploration throughout the world by various programs and activities centered around a central theme.
Space Day events have taken place in 21 countries around the globe on six continents. Thanks to widespread media support, nearly a billion people have learned about the Space Day programs since its inception.
WSW is meant not only to encourage, educate and support space exploration, but also to celebrate each year at the international level the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.