The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Human Space Flight is observed annually across the globe on 12th April to promote the aspirations to explore and maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.
The day is commemorated to remember the first human space flight on 12th April 1961.
Why April 12?
i.On 12th April 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen carried out the first human space flight.
ii.He crewed the Vostok 1 Space flight in 1961 and made one orbit around the earth over 108 minutes in the Vostok 3KA spacecraft launched by the Vostok K launch vehicle.
iii.He became the first human to orbit the earth.
Background:
Recognising the 50th Anniversary of the first-ever human space flight, The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/65/271 on 7th April 2011 and proclaimed the 12th April of every year as the International Day of Human Space Flight.
The first International Day of Human Space Flight was observed on 12th April 2011.
Other Achievements in Space:
i.The first human-made earth satellite ‘Sputnik 1’ was launched into space in 1957.
ii.In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, the Soviet cosmonaut became the first woman to travel into space.
iii.In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot upon the surface of the moon.
iv.Apollo-Soyuz was the first crewed international space mission jointly carried out by the United States and the Soviet Union in 1975, this marked the first International human mission in Space.
UN and Space:
i.Recognising the common interest of Humans in outer space and to answer the questions on how outer space can help humans, The UNGA adopted the first resolution related to outer space – 1348 (XIII) entitled “Question of the Peaceful Use of Outer Space”.
ii.The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is responsible for promoting international cooperation in peaceful use of outer space.
About United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs(UNOOSA):
Director- Simonetta Di Pippo
Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
