ISLAMABAD   -  Maintaining its previous traditions, Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO)- the national space agency has planned a series of activities to mark the upcoming World Space Week, to be held from October 04-10. According to an official of SUPARCO, the Space Week will be marked under the theme of using space technology to fight climate change.  The SUPARCO has announced various contests for the general public in different categories revolving around the theme. The first category is “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle for Climate Action: Show how small steps can make a BIG difference!” while the second category is, “Planting for a Greener Pakistan’: Let’s work together to plant a sustainable future!”.  The third category of the contest is “Space form limited:Video Challenge’: Share your creative ideas on how space technology can help save our planet!”. The students, professionals or climate enthusiasts can participate in the contests to create a better world for future generations.  World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.  The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from October 4-10.

These dates commemorate two events including `October 4, 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, thus opening the way for space exploration’ and the other is `October 10, 1967: the signing 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’.  World Space Week consists of space education and outreach events held by space agencies, educational institutions, planetaria, museums and astronomy clubs around the world in a common time frame under the ambit of the United Nations to enhance awareness about space and related technologies and to highlight its role towards national development.

SUPARCO being the National Space Agency annually organizes World Space Week (WSW) in Pakistan as WSW national coordinator since 2005. Pakistan has managed to make its mark each year with the greatest number of events conducted globally. Pakistan stood third in the year 2023 for conducting 7,836 space events in the country during the festive week which is an honour for the country.  Every year, WSW theme is selected by the World Space Week Association Board of Directors to highlight an aspect of space with broad appeal to humanity.

This year, the globally celebrated event of space will be conducted on the theme of ‘Space and Climate Change’.

SUPARCO announces Poster Competition on “Space Travel” theme

Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has announced the Poster Making Contest 2024 for students across the country under the theme of “Space Travel”, to showcase their creativity and skills.

Each year SUPARCO arranges Poster Competition as part of its participation in the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). According to an official of SUPARCO, the contest is open to students aged 6 to 12, with eligibility determined based on birth dates between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018.  Students from various schools across the country are encouraged to participate, with each school allowed to submit up to three posters. About the guidelines, the official informed that the participants must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure their entries qualify for consideration.  Each poster must be the work of a single student and be submitted through their respective schools.

The deadline for submission is set for September 20, 2024, and no late entries will be accepted. It is crucial for participants to follow the instructions carefully, including attaching a fully completed submission form to the back of the poster and ensuring no personal information appears on the front.

The competition seeks to encourage young artists to explore the theme of space travel using traditional art materials such as pencils, crayons, watercolors, and oils. Explaining the rules of competition, the official said that the artwork must be submitted on flat paper, no smaller than A3 and no larger than A2, and should not incorporate digital tools, photo collages, or 3D objects. Posters must refrain from including text, signatures, flags, or references to any specific person, country, or organization.

Once submitted, the posters will become the property of SUPARCO.