World Space Week is the annual week of celebrating achievements and contributions of Space Science, technology, and its applications. To educate young students and the general masses about the bounties of space technology and its applications, United Nations General Assembly has declared 4th-10th October as World Space Week. The dates signify the UN General the launch of the first human-made earth satellite, Sputnik 1 on 4th October, 1957, and the signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses Outer Space, on 10th October 1967.

World Space Week Association (www.worldspaceweek.org), a non-government, non-profit international organization, coordinates this celebratory week worldwide through National Coordinators appointed in each country. The week is celebrated around the globe in more than 96 countries with 8000+ participants worldwide; organized by different space agencies, aerospace companies, schools, planetaria, museums, and astronomy clubs, all synchronized for an impactful public awareness. In Pakistan, the event is coordinated by the country’s National Coordinator, the Secretary of the National Space Agency of Pakistan, SUPARCO, through Space Education and Awareness Drive (SEAD). The Space Education and Research Lab of the National Center of GIS and Space Applications at Institute of Space Technology is the main lead for organizing world space week.

Institute of Space Technology holds the legacy of celebrating World Space Week in Pakistan since 2005 in collaboration with the National Space Agency of Pakistan, SUPARCO, to promote space education and awareness among the mass public. 

IST cherishes the honor of organizing maximum events in Pakistan during WSW every year. The number of events, participating students and schools, has increased exponentially in the last fifteen years. Following a predefined theme set by World Space Week Association, various space-related activities are planned for space enthusiasts.

IST cherishes the honor of organizing maximum events in Pakistan during WSW every year. The number of events, participating students and schools have increased exponentially in the last fifteen years. Following a predefined theme set by World Space Week Association, various space-related activities are planned for the space-enthusiasts.

Every year, World Space Week Association (WSWA) declares a theme to highlight a specific aspect of space. National coordinators then plan and organize events around this theme. The theme for WSW ’21 is “Women in Space”; celebrating the contribution of women in space and inspiring young women to pursue a career in space sciences.

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to launch off in space. Women have set records for spacewalks and the longest space flights. However, statistics show an evident gap in the number of men and women who pursue a career in space technology. Research has ruled out the possible cause of mental ability. Therefore, the gap is due to a lack of awareness regarding women’s career paths in the space sector.

Following the theme of women in space, NCGSA aims to mitigate career options and raise space awareness among women through space-related activities and competitions. With 190+ modules for students of grades 5th to 12th, participants will be able to participate in a diverse range of fun learning activities. Twenty categories covering different domains are designed to include students with different interests and skills. The week will be a learning opportunity- especially for space enthusiasts-to pursue a career in space technology.

WSW’21 is planned from October 4-8, 2021. Pertaining to covid-19, it will be held online with an expected participation of more than 3000 students from across the country. 100+ adjudicators, including academicians and subject matter experts, and scientists, will join the event.

The World space week 2021 will hold more than 190 modules in 17 major categories.

1. Dates : October 4 – 8 , 2021

2. Mode : Online

3. Participation Levels

a. Abecedarian (Grade 5 – 8)

b. Virtuoso (Grade 9 – 12 / O/A Levels)

c. UGrads (Undergraduates)

4. Registration Fee : PKR 3000/- Per Institution for single/multiple modules

Account Title: IST BIC

Account No: 25137000098101

Bank: Habib Bank Limited, Central Boulevard, Sector F, DHA II Islamabad, Pakistan.

Registration Method: Online/Bank Draft Transfer / Online Deposit

5. Registration Method : Register Here

6. Knowledge Database : Click Here

a. WSW 2021 Champion : Shield & Certificate to best participating with maximum winnings School

b. Module Excellence Awards: Shield + Certificate of Excellence ( Individual/Team award for each module)

c. Module Runner Up Certificates: Certificate of Excellence – Runner Up (each module)

d. Space Ambassador Award: Shield + Certificate to Best Space Ambassador (Male & Female ) ; The focal person of school/college

e. Space Ambassador Certificates : Certificate of Acknowledgment to all space ambassadors

f. Certificates: Participation Certificates to all registered participants

g. Adjudicators Souvenirs : Certificate of Acknowledgment and Souvenirs to all space ambassadors

The purpose of the Space Ambassadors Forum is to equip focal persons/space ambassadors of respective schools, colleges & universities participating in World Space Week 2021 with requisite tool and guidelines necessary for registration and participation processes.
Space Ambassadors’ Forum this year will be held on-campus at Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

The registrations are now open. Click on the button below to register. Registration deadline is September, 27 2021.