World Space Week is an opportunity for organisations and individuals across the world to celebrate and collectively inspire interests in space, space sciences and education. In 1999, the UN General Assembly declared “World Space Week” a global event to be held every year from the 4 to 10 October —earmarked in remembrance of the launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, on 4 October 1957 and the signing on 10 October 1967 of 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. Each year the WSW Accossiation Board of Directors selects a theme that highlights a pertinent aspect of space with a broad appeal to humanity.

Institutions and space enthusiasts across several African countries have rolled out a series of events in commemoration of the World Space Week.

Below are some of the events that will be taking place across Africa, curated from the events listed on World Space Week website:

Angola

Organisation: Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)
Description:
The 2nd Space Generation Advisory Council Angola webinar is coming on 4 October 2020, but now fully hands-on! SGAC, the International Astronomical Union/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Open Cosmos and TopoGIS have joined forces to present the Angolan “NewSpace” community and all interested participants, a practical workshop opportunity to learn about Space Mission Design and Management, Space Law, Policy and Governance, and understanding how satellite missions impact our daily life. Stay ready to work and discover more about space and how it improves lives.

Learn more on the event website.

Organisation: GGPEN
Details: GGPEN celebrates World Space Week at the Mamã Muxima Reception Center. The National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN) will celebrate World Space Week, on October 7, with solidarity and space education activities, at the Mamã Muxima Reception Center, located in the Ramiros district, in Luanda. This initiative is part of the commemorative days of the 45 years of National Independence in the Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication sector.

Created 26 years ago, the Mamã Muxima Shelter Centre contributes to improving the lives of hundreds of needy children from different parts of the country. It currently houses almost 200 orphaned children in boarding schools and more than 130 in boarding schools, aged between 4 and 18 years.

Kenya

Organisation: SGAC
Date and Time Date: 4th – 10 October 2020, 11:00 AM to 11:50 AM GMT Daily
Description:
SGAC Kenya plans to run a 50-minute daily webinar for the entire World Space Week, aligning with the global theme, “Satellites Improve Life”. The specific aims include:

• Provide an opportunity for university students and young professionals to get to know about SGAC.
• Bring in the space industry players, enthusiasts and professionals to learn about each other’s work and network.
• Assess the atmosphere of Kenya’s geospatial industry by identifying gaps and opportunities and draw lessons from best practices.

Learn more on the event website.

Organization: African Astronomical Society

Date and time: October 8, 2020. 4pm – 5:30pm WAT

Description: The African Astronomical Society is organising a seminar on Portable planetariums innovation for Africa. The seminar can be attended on zoom with the following details: Zoom Room ID; 86032339844.

Egypt

Organisation: Keplers Astronomy club
Date: 4-10 October 2020
Description:
Five days with five online astronomy sessions with a stargazing event where we can get a telescope and observe the night sky. The five days include topics from all astronomy branches: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Planetary science, Cosmology, observational astronomy, and Space science. The session will be online on Zoom meeting application.

Learn more on the event webpage.

Ethiopia

Organisation: Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI)
Date: 5-10 October 2020
Description:
World Space Week 2020 under the theme ‘Satellite improve life’ will be celebrated from 05-10 Oct 2020 through several activities in Addis Ababa organised by ESSTI in collaboration with East African Regional Office of Astronomy for Development (EA-ROAD). The activities will be carried out through webinar, panel discussion and media engagements.

Learn more on the event webpage.

Ethiopia

Organisation: Ethiopian Space Science Society
Date: 4-10 October 2020
Description:
The Ethiopian Space Science Space Science Society in collaboration with SGAC Ethiopia and IAU OAO Ethiopia will organise the WSW celebration. The event will be from 4 October to 10 of which the first four days will be engagement with the society via TV and Radio programs. It will also include Social media engagement using different platforms. The last three days will be celebrated by online events including webinars, panel discussions, and online stargazing events (if the weather permits). There will also be an essay competition event for students on the title “Satellites Improve Life”.

Learn more on the event webpage.

Nigeria

Organisation: LearnSpace Foundation
Date: 10 October 2020
Description:
The Learnspace Foundation (LSF) is together with University Space clubs, organising a maiden youth virtual town hall meeting for young people in Nigeria to commemorate the world space week 2020. The event is tagged: “Satellites and the future in Nigeria” We will have in attendance, undergraduates and young professionals interested in the Nigeria space sector. The Ag Director General of the Nigerian Space Agency (NASRDA) will be the guest speaker. The event is scheduled for 10 October 2020, at 2 PM WAT. The themes / Topics for discussions include 1. Nigeria’s current space program, challenges and future 2. Career prospects and opportunities in the space industry 3. Space entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.

Learn more on the event webpage.

Sudan

Organisation: STEM Sudan
Date: 10 October 2020
Description:
A public event for families, kids and students to observe the sky and satellite with some DIY in making rockets and space shuttles.

Learn more on the event webpage.

Competitions:

Here are some competitions lined up for the week:

The Ethiopian Space Science Society (ESSS) is organising an essay competition for student ESSS members. The essay title will be this year’s WSW celebration theme “Satellites Improving Life”. Here is a link to the essay competition for more information.

In honour of the #WorldSpaceWeek, Africa Space Workshops (ASW) will be hosting online the Africa Space Quiz to test space enthusiasts’ knowledge of space activities in Africa with small cash prizes to win for the top three scorers. The quiz will be accessible from the 4-10 October. Participants can only do the quiz ONCE and on their own. Visit the ASW website for additional information on the quiz.

Check the World Space Week website for all listed events across the world.