Beyond the Moon: Space Week around the world

Sunday, October 04, 2026UN NewsRight after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, UNOOSA, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, was established and has since been monitoring developments across more than 77 successful lunar missions and other journeys while also taking a lead role in the annual World Space Week, which runs from 4 to 10 October.What you need to knowThis year’s theme, Rocket revolution, focuses on the rapid transformation of how we reach space – now expanding through commercial launch providers, reusable rockets, university teams, and other innovatorsMore than 50,000 events are planned in more than 100 countriesThe week represents the world’s largest space eventWhat’s the UN doing in space?Early this year, the UN hosted four astronauts who just returned from outer space, carrying out the farthest human spaceflight in history when they travelled beyond the far side of the Moon.But, the UN has been involved in space affairs for decades. The General Assembly created a committee in 1959 to govern the exploration and use of space for the benefit of all – focused around peace, security and development.Instrumental in creating the five treaties and principles governing...