KiwiSpace Foundation on the lookout for space enthusiasts

Media Release

31 August 2011

KiwiSpace Foundation on the lookout for space enthusiasts this World Space Week

Space enthusiasts across the country are encouraged to get involved in United Nations' World Space Week, from 4 to 10 October this year.

Designed to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to life on Earth, there are many activities Kiwis can take part in for World Space Week at home or in their community - from building a model of the solar system, attending local or online talks, exploring the southern skies through a telescope, or launching a model rocket.

KiwiSpace Foundation is managing the festival in New Zealand on behalf of the international World Space Week organisation. A dedicated website has been setup for local event - www.worldspaceweek.org.nz - as part of efforts to promote the festival.

Groups and individuals are encouraged to host space related events during World Space Week. Schools are also encouraged to integrate space activities into the final week of Term 3, and can visit the website for activity ideas.

Anyone interested in attending a space activity near them can see the calendar of events as they are confirmed on the festival website at www.worldspaceweek.org.nz

World Space Week National Coordinator Peter Felhofer says there are a large number of space-related industries supporting disciplines in New Zealand that go unrecognised and that World Space Week is an opportunity to identify people with an interest in space and encourage growth in the field.

"We want to promote the space industry in New Zealand across everything from computer programming to astrophysics, to telescope operation," says Mr Felhofer. "It's easy for Kiwis of every age to find out something new about space and be a part of this international festival."

World Space Week has been run internationally for 10 years. The theme for World Space Week 2011 is "50 Years of Human Spaceflight", marking the first human spaceflight that took place on April 12, 1961 by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, designed by rocket scientist Sergey Korolyov.

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