International Day of Human Space Flight

International Day of Human Space Flight History

International Day of Human Space Flight is dedicated to honouring the achievement and ongoing pursuit of human space exploration. It commemorates the first-ever manned space flight and recognises the broad significance of space science and technology in enhancing global development. The day further illustrates an appreciation for the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices made by astronauts and space scientists to advance our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

The UN General Assembly established the International Day of Human Space Flight on 7 April 2011 and set it to coincide with the anniversary of the first manned spaceflight. On 12 April 1961, Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin made a 108-minute orbital flight in his Vostok 1 spacecraft. For Australians, the day is marked with special significance as Australia plays an important role in space exploration. Australian organisations, such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Australian Space Agency, contribute to global space research and satellite communications.

Australia honors this International Day of Human Space Flight with various initiatives; universities, space research organisations, and scientific institutions host public lectures, exhibitions, and educational programs to inspire and engage Australians about space science and exploration. Australian aspiring astronauts, scientists, and general public get an opportunity to learn more about the future prospects of space flight and Australia's contribution to it. International Day of Human Space Flight occurs annually on 12 April in Australia, a day to highlight past achievements and fostering Australia's future ambitions in space exploration.

Facts about International Day of Human Space Flight

• The first manned mission to land on the moon was Apollo 11. The mission was successfully completed on July 20, 1969 by astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. They became the first humans in history to step on another planetary body.
• NASA’s Artemis program hopes to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024. They hope to work with commercial and international partners to establish sustainable exploration of the moon. Their goal after that is to send astronauts to Mars.
• A full NASA space suit costs $12,000,000. About 70% of the cost is for the backpack and control module.
• Andy Thomas, born in Adelaide, Australia, became the first Australian citizen to journey into space. He made four trips in total with NASA, including long-duration missions aboard the Russian Mir space station and Space Shuttle Endeavour.
• Australia's geographical location and clear skies make it an ideal site for space observations. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) manages multiple radio astronomy observatories across Australia, making significant contributions to the study of space.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of Human Space Flight

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Learn more about NASA's Artemis program and how they plan to return to the moon.
• Learn more about the United Nation's Voyager Golden Record message that was sent into space in 1977.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about Human Space Flight in Australia:
  The Dish - An Australian film about the Parkes Observatory's role in the first moon landing.
  The Farthest: Voyager in Space - A documentary featuring the Voyager program, where Australia played a key role in receiving images of Jupiter and Saturn.
• Visit the Sydney Observatory: This observatory has a rich history and offers night tours where visitors can view the stars and planets through a telescope. They often hold special programs for the International Day of Human Space Flight.