World Space Week 4th-10th Oct 2026: Theme and Key Events

World Space Week 2026 is being celebrated from 4 to 10 October under the theme "Rocket Revolution". It is the world's biggest space event, and millions of students and space lovers take part every year.

World Space Week 2026 Highlights Rocket Revolution Theme

The theme looks at how cheaper and easier launches have helped the space sector grow fast. Dennis Stone, President of the World Space Week Association, said that lower launch costs have opened the door to many new uses of space. The theme is also meant to spark student interest in STEM subjects.

What Is World Space Week 2026?

World Space Week is a UN-declared event held every year from 4 to 10 October. The United Nations established it in 1999. It celebrates how space science and technology improve human life. Space agencies, schools, museums, astronomy clubs and aerospace companies hold events in the same week so that more people can join.

About World Space Week Association

The World Space Week Association coordinates the event. It is a non-profit, non-government body founded in 1982 and is a permanent observer at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. John Elbon, former interim CEO of ULA, is the Honorary Chair for 2026. Tory Bruno of Blue Origin National Security will hold the role in 2027, when the theme will be "To the Moon".

What Is the World Space Week 2026 Location?

There is no single venue. Events are held across the world, and the public can find local programmes on worldspaceweek.org. NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host an expo featuring Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Participating Countries in World Space Week 2026

About 100 nations are taking part. Last year, around 50,000 events were held in 102 countries. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education and Pakistan's space agency SUPARCO will lead large national celebrations with thousands of schools. Students and rocket clubs will also launch model rockets, and in the US, Vulcan model rockets from ULA and Estes will be used.

European Space Agency (ESA) Collaborating with Pokémon

ESA and The Pokémon Company International will hold a Europe-wide family exhibition that mixes real space science with Pokémon. Special Pokémon GO activities will run at participating museums. BBC StoryWorks will also premiere its series Space Renaissance online.