United Nations(UN) designated International Moon Day (IMD) which is annually celebrated across the globe on July 20th to mark the anniversary of the first landing by humans on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 lunar mission.
- The day aims to raise public awareness about sustainable Moon exploration and utilisation.
- The first IMD was celebrated on 20th July 2022.
Theme for IMD 2023:
i.IMD 2023 is celebrated on 20th July 2023 and it marks the 54th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission.
ii.The day will be celebrated with the theme “Lunar Exploration Coordination & Sustainability.”
iii.The theme emphasizes educating the public on the importance of conducting sustainable lunar exploration.
Note: Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin were the first humans to set foot on the moon which they then named Tranquility Base, on July 20 1969, during the Apollo 11 mission. During this mission, Michael Collins orbited the Moon in the command module.
Background:
i.The Moon Village Association (MVA) submitted an application to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) during the UN-Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) 64th Session, for the proclamation of the International Moon Day on July 20, the anniversary of the 1969 first human landing, from the United States of America(USA), with the Apollo 11 mission.
ii.The proclamation has been approved on December 9 2021, by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Resolution A/RES/76/76, building upon the recommendation of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Moon Village Association:
i.The Moon Village Association is a Vienna, Austria-based non-governmental organization(NGO) that was founded in 2017 and serves as a permanent, informal global forum for governments, academia, industry, and the general public who are interested in the development of the Moon Village.
ii.The Moon Village is a concept that aims to transform international cooperation in space exploration and new methods for exploring the Moon.
The Apollo 11 mission:
i.The Apollo 11 mission was a historic space flight by National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) that achieved the first manned landing on the Moon.
ii.It was launched on July 16, 1969, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, and Michael Collins.
iii.On July 20, 1969, Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the lunar surface in the lunar module “Eagle”.
iv.Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon with the famous quote: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
v.They spent about 2.5 hours conducting experiments and collecting samples.
vi.Command module Columbia is the only spacecraft of the 1969 Apollo 11 mission that returned to Earth.
vii.The successful return of Apollo 11 to Earth on 24th July 1969, marked a major milestone in space exploration and an important achievement for mankind.
About the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):
i.UNOOSA works to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilisation of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development.
ii.It serves as the secretariat for the UN COPUOS.
Director- Aarti Holla-Maini
Headquarters- Vienna, Austria
Established- 1958
