Date
Sunday
Jul
20

July 20

Space Exploration Day

Explore the universe and celebrate Space Exploration Day with exciting activities, educational resources and incredible facts about our amazing cosmos!

Yearly Date
July 20
Type
Day

Introduction

On July 20, it's time to celebrate Space Exploration Day! This annual event commemorates the first human to walk on the moon in 1969, when Neil Armstrong took that "giant leap" for mankind. Since then, space exploration has become an integral part of our lives and has greatly advanced our understanding of the universe. From robotic rovers to satellites orbiting Earth, there are countless ways we can explore space and push the boundaries of knowledge even further. So let's take this day to celebrate our progress in space exploration and all that it has done for humanity!

Space Exploration Day Timeline

1957
Sputnik Launch
The Soviet Union successfully launches Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, marking the beginning of the space age.
1961
First Man in Space
Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, becomes the first human to orbit Earth.
1969
Moon Landing
NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully lands the first humans, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, on the Moon.
1971
First Space Station
The Soviet Union launches Salyut 1, the world's first space station, into orbit around Earth.
1990
Hubble Space Telescope
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is launched, providing astronomers with unparalleled views of the universe.
2020
Mars Rover Landing
NASA's Perseverance rover successfully lands on Mars, marking a major milestone in interplanetary exploration.

How to Celebrate Space Exploration Day

1

Watch a space movie

Gather your friends and family and host a movie night. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite snacks and watch one of your favorite space movies.

2

Visit a planetarium

Visit a local planetarium and enjoy some of the amazing shows they offer. You may even learn something new.

3

Make a space craft

Gather some supplies from around the house and get creative by making a spaceship, rocket or astronaut craft. Make sure to take pictures and share your creations.

4

Read a book about space exploration

Head to your local library or book store and find a book about space exploration. Learn about the history of space exploration and the advances made in recent years.

5

Enjoy a star gazing night

Find a dark place with little light pollution, grab some blankets and look up at the stars. See how many constellations you can recognize or just enjoy the beauty of the night sky.

Why Space Exploration Day is Important

A

Space exploration leads to new discoveries

By studying the stars, planets and other celestial bodies in space, scientists are able to gain invaluable insights into our universe. From the massive planets of our Solar System to distant galaxies billions of light years away, exploring space has revealed a wealth of knowledge that we would not have access to without space exploration.

B

Space exploration educates us about our planet

Studying outer space can also help us learn more about our own planet. By looking at Earth from space, researchers can observe things like climate change and its impacts on our environment. This information is essential for understanding how to better care for our home planet and protect it from any further damage.

C

Space exploration encourages innovation & cooperation

Finally, engaging in space exploration initiatives encourages collaboration between countries, industries and different organizations. Through working together, everyone benefits from the advancements made in technology - from spacecrafts designed with the latest materials to satellite systems that provide communication networks across vast distances.

Space Exploration Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Jul 19
Wednesday
2024
Jul 19
Friday
2025
Jul 19
Saturday
2026
Jul 19
Sunday
2027
Jul 19
Monday