Il 16 December 2021 is the first National Space Day. An important event just under 60 years after Italy's debut in space with the launch of the San Marco 1 satellite. It was the 15 December 1964 and our country embarked on a path that then led it to become one of the protagonists in the space sector at an international level.
The event was proposed by the Minister for technological innovation and digital transition. The idea is to make citizens aware of the activities concerning this area, encouraging them to explore it. Indeed, it is necessary to understand how space is closer to everyday life than we imagine. The contributions that come to us from explorations are applied by all of us on a daily basis.
National Space Day, the program
Many bodies involved in celebrating the first National Space Day. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) will propose a program dedicated to schools and beyond. There will be guided tours of the Rome office, the inauguration of an exhibition, Space for our Planet, and much more. The ASI program begins with the welcome of the President Giorgio Saccoccia at the headquarters of the Agency.
Those present will be able to take part in the presentation The origins of space: from Broglio to the birth of ASI. There will then be a connection with Dubai for the Dubai T-TeC 2021 award ceremony. Another event is Space to monitor, protect and serve our Planet. Here is what will follow:
- The International Space Station, the home of humanity
- Space exploration and science
- Space for the citizen, the beneficial effects of the space system
- As mentioned, the day will see many private entities propose various kinds of initiatives. As far as ASI is concerned, however, an information conference will not be held only. Here's what you can do:
- Guided tour at the headquarters of the Italian Space Agency starting at 18.00. Space will be made in the internal routes A (Tour ASI), B (Telescope), C (The journey to Mars) and D (Tour ISS Auditorium). A total of four groups of 25 people, with a 30-minute visit per group
- Inauguration of the exhibition Space for our Planet. An appreciable event also online through the website www-space4ourplanet.org
The latest statements
Space plays a role in our life, as we said. For this reason, in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, known as Pnrr, it was decided to dedicate a day to exploration beyond the borders of the Earth. We also need to understand how this sector can generate new jobs in just 5-10 years. The new generations must consider this line of work, which does not only mean becoming astronauts.
Here are the words of Vittorio Colao, minister for technological innovation and digital transition with responsibility for space, regarding the day set up: "The PNRR wants to dedicate large resources to enhance what our country can do in space and ASI is the main actor, which will have to orchestrate the use of resources. National Space Day is for you guys, we want to make us understand the opportunities that space will give to your generation. The opportunities that will come from the space sector are many. Job opportunities not only for astronauts or astrophysicists, but for those who want to use information from space for services on Earth ”.
Photo source: https://www.instagram.com/agenziaspazialeitaliana/
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