UNIS/OS/266
3 October 2003
Space Solutions for the World's Problems
United Nations Office at Vienna Celebrates World Space Week
VIENNA, 3 October (UN Information Service) - As part of the international celebration of World Space Week, which takes place annually from 4 to 10 October, the Vienna-based United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) will hold an exhibition in the Vienna International Centre (VIC). The exhibition will be on display from 6 to 24 October 2003.
The exhibition, entitled "Space Solutions for the World's Problems: How the United Nations Family is Using Space Technology for Sustainable Development", will include poster displays describing the use of space technology by different UN agencies and offices in carrying out their work. The exhibit will also display multi-spectral remote sensing images provided by several Member States, in addition to models of satellites provided by Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, the Russian Federation and the United States.
During the first week of the exhibition, high-resolution imagery of the view of Earth from space will be displayed. These images were taken by the IKONOS earth imaging satellite. The imagery on display will show multi-spectral views of different landmarks, cities and natural features around the world. These include images of the Great Pyramids in Giza, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Port of Rio de Janeiro and Bora Bora Island in French Polynesia.
A presentation on the work of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and its Legal and Scientific and Technical Subcommittees will also be on display during the first week of the exhibition.
To highlight the importance of education in the field of outer space, the exhibition will include paintings by 4th grade students at Vienna's Notre Dame de Sion primary school. The paintings depict the children's impressions of outer space. On 10 October, the students will visit the VIC, where they have the opportunity to visit the space exhibition and see their own paintings on display. The class will be addressed by a representative of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, and taken on a guided tour of the VIC.
The exhibition can be viewed from 6 to 24 October 2003 as part of a guided tour of the VIC. Information on guided tours is available from UNIS Visitors Service at Tours@unvienna.org, or telephone number ++43-1-260 60 3328.
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World Space Week serves to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. Endorsed by the UN General Assembly in December 1999, it marks the anniversary of two milestones in the human exploration and use of outer space: the launch of the first artificial satellite, SPUTNIK I on 4 October 1957, and the entry into force of the Treaty Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, which took place on 10 October 1967. This year's theme is "Space: Horizon Beyond Earth".
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) implements the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its two Subcommittees, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee. The Office is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and assisting developing countries in using space science technology. Located in Vienna, Austria, OOSA maintains a website at http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/.
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