BENGALURU, October 4 — The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has commenced nationwide observances for World Space Week (WSW) 2026, running from October 4 to October 10. The global theme designated by the United Nations for this year is "Rocket Revolution," spotlighting transformative breakthroughs in next-generation propulsion, reusable launch architectures, and commercial orbital accessibility.
Across premier space installations—including the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, and the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru—ISRO is conducting interactive symposia, sounding rocket demonstrations, and student outreach exhibitions. Concurrently, operational teams highlighted advancements at the newly inaugurated ISTRAC Advanced Radar Research Facility (IARRF), designed to advance middle-atmospheric studies and space weather telemetry.
Space agency leadership underscored that milestones under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight pipeline—notably the qualification of the Vyommitra half-humanoid payload for the upcoming uncrewed orbital flight—remain firmly on track. Long-term roadmaps target the deployment of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035 and an Indian lunar landing by 2040.
Space treaties, orbital mechanics, and ISRO roadmaps form foundational pillars of UPSC, CDS, and State PSC science & technology syllabi. Candidates should remember that the UN General Assembly declared World Space Week in 1999 to commemorate the launch of Sputnik-1 on October 4, 1957, and the entry into force of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.