World Space Week (October 4-10) honors two pivotal events in space exploration: The launch of Sputnik 1 on Oct. 4, 1957 and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on Oct. 10, 1967.

Launched on October 4, 1957 by the Soviet Union, Sputnik 1 was the first artificial Earth satellite (the natural satellite being the moon). Sputnik 1 didn’t contain any sensors but provided valuable information through its tracking from Earth. The measurements obtained from tracking this satellite from Earth allowed scientists to calculate the density of the upper atmosphere and the propagation of its radio signal provided information about the ionosphere.

The Outer Space Treaty, signed on October 10, 1967, forms the basis of international space law. This treaty prevents nations from placing weapons of mass destruction in Earth’s orbit, installing them on the moon or placing them in outer space. It limits the use of the moon and outer space to peaceful purposes and allows all countries to pursue space exploration by preventing any government from claiming the moon or a planet. Currently, 104 countries around the world have signed the Outer Space Treaty.

The United Nations celebrates World Space Week (October 4-10) by providing space education and outreach events. More details on World Space Week can be found here: http://www.worldspaceweek.org/