Under the banner of "The Rocket Revolution," the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) at the University of Sharjah marked World Space Week 2026 with a rich program of scientific and interactive events running from October 4 through 10. The initiative aimed to deepen public understanding of space science and technology, with a particular focus on the evolution of rocket technology and space missions, through a series of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on activities designed to blend knowledge, exploration, and innovation.

Throughout the week, participants engaged with a range of lectures and scientific activities centered on space exploration and rocketry. The program featured a lecture titled "World Space Week: The Hidden Power of Space Exploration," alongside another examining the UAE's relationship with space. Additional offerings included a hands-on activity tracing the history of rockets, a special presentation at the Sharjah Planetarium chronicling the timeline of rocket development, and interactive stations where participants designed mission patches and experienced life as an astronaut.

H.E. Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Director of the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub, described World Space Week as an important scientific platform for raising awareness of space science and technology, and for highlighting the role of innovation and modern technology in shaping the future of space exploration. He emphasized SSAH’s commitment to delivering knowledge through interactive methods that unite theory and practice, nurturing scientific curiosity among younger generations and encouraging them to pursue careers in space science, technology, and innovation. He added that this year's theme offers a timely opportunity to acquaint the public with the rapid advances in rocket technology and space missions, translating complex scientific concepts into diverse educational and interactive experiences. He further noted that the hub marks World Space Week annually as an international occasion, established by the United Nations, to highlight the contributions of space science and technology to improving human life and advancing sustainable development, while reaffirming the importance of the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.

Fatima Mohammed Al Khatri, Acting Director of the Sharjah Planetarium, noted that World Space Week events give the public a chance to engage with astronomy and space science in an interactive way that combines knowledge with experience. She highlighted how the program's varied activities, spanning astronomical presentations, lectures, and hands-on activities, helps simplify scientific concepts and transforms them into inspiring experiences that deepen participants' passion for space and discovery.

SSAH’s World Space Week programming is set to continue with additional lectures, workshops, and scientific and applied activities covering topics such as space debris and the Kessler Syndrome, Arduino programming, space mission exploration, the journey from Earth to the Moon, predicting rocket launch delays, and the "Straw Rocket Challenge." Further events include special presentations at the Sharjah Planetarium, interactive mission-patch design stations, and sessions examining the role of space weather in launch operations, culminating in a hands-on workshop in which participants will build and launch a model rocket.

World Space Week was established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1999 in recognition of the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of humanity. The dates were chosen to commemorate two landmark moments in the history of space exploration: October 4, 1957, when Sputnik 1, the first human-made satellite, was launched into orbit, and October 10, 1967, when the Outer Space Treaty entered into force, enshrining the foundational principles of the peaceful use of outer space.