TWiS 181: World Space Week - A UN-Established Global Celebration of Space

World Space Week is a global celebration of all things space, bringing together thousands of participants from all over the planet to celebrate our future in space. Chartered by the United Nations in 1999, this year's theme is "Living in Space." The many associated events from across the world are a reminder to all of the importance of space in our lives and our future, and a clarion call to international youth of the value of their future involvement. We spoke with the WSW Association's executive director, Alma Okpalefe, who explained their origins, activities, and plans for the future. It's one of the premier space-related events of the year, and when you're done with the episode, you'll want to know more!

Headlines:

• SpaceX Starship Flight 11 Set for Launch
• 6,000 Alien Planets Discovered—Where's Earth 2.0?
• Mars Crew Study Reveals Diverse Teams Outperform "Alpha Males"

Main Topic: World Space Week 2025

• Alma Okpalefe Shares Her Path from Legal Counsel to Space Leadership
• Global Scope and Organization: 95+ Countries, Thousands of Events
• Types of World Space Week Activities: School Outreach, Museum Events, Art Competitions
• 2025 Theme: "Living in Space"—Why It Was Chosen, What It Means Globally
• Building Space Interest in Regions Without Established Programs
• Outcomes and Impact: Inspiring Space Agencies, Universities, and Advocacy
• Accessibility and Inclusion as Future Focus for Space Exploration
• Advice for Young Space Enthusiasts: Get Involved and Dream Big
• International Collaboration: Why Working Together Matters for Space Progress

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Alma Okpalefe

Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.

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