International Day of Human Space Flight

International Day of Human Space Flight History

International Day of Human Space Flight seeks to celebrate the beginnings of the space era. According to the UN, this day aims to reaffirm the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals. It also aims to ensure that aspirations involving outer space remain peaceful. The first instance of humans exploring space was in 1961 when Soviet citizen Yuri Gagarin carried out the first human space flight.

International Day of Human Space Flight was established in 2011 by the UN General Assembly. It is observed annually on April 12th, a date honoring the first flight to space.

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.

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

Top things to do in the US 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.
• Hear what 17 astronauts and cosmonauts have to say about their experience viewing the Earth from space.

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