World Space Week

From the United States to Djibouti, from Antarctica to Russia, World Space Week is celebrated annually in more than 50 nations, on all seven continents. It serves to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of human condition.

Declared in 1999 by the UN General Assembly, World Space Week marks the anniversary of two great milestones of humanity's expansion into space:

4 October 1957 - Date of the launch into space of the first
man-made Earth satellite, SPUTNIK I, thus opening the way for more space exploration.

10 October 1967 - Date of the entry into force of the
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the
Exploration and Peaceful Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.

In South Africa, World Space Week is celebrated with three amateur radio events. Celebrate World Space Week with SA AMSAT by participating in a contest to make as many contacts as possible via OSCAR51 during the week 4 - 10 October.

The contest has three categories:
A.1 Fixed satellite station with satellite antennas with elevation and AZ controls;
A.2 Fixed satellite station with simple VHF antennas;
B. Hand-held.

Submit logs to SA AMSAT, PO Box 90438, Garsfontein, 0042, before 20 October 2004 or email to saamsat@intekom.co.za.

Logs must include the following: date, time of contact, call sign, name and QTH of station worked as well as a description of your station. Optionally a picture of yourself if available. Full details as well as AO51 passes can be found on www.amsatsa.org.za.

Courtesy of The South African Radio League

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