
S. Sankaran, Deputy Director, VALF, Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, ISRO, interacts with school students during the World Space Week 2026 celebrations at Sethu Institute of Technology in Virudhunagar district on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: R. ASHOK
World Space Week and the ‘Rocket Revolution’ exhibition, organised by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, were inaugurated at the Sethu Institute of Technology.
The inaugural function was presided over by founder and chairman S. Mohamed Jaleel. Vikram Sarabhai Lecture Facility (VALF) Deputy Director and Chairman of World Space Week–2026, S. Sankaran, was the chief guest.
In his address, Mr. Sankaran said, “World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology and their contribution to improving human life. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week would be celebrated every year from October 4 to 10.”
He further stated that the theme of World Space Week 2026 was ‘Rocket Revolution’, which focuses on the transformation brought about by modern launch technologies in the space sector, reducing the cost of access to space and creating increasing opportunities for universities, small enterprises and students to participate in space research.
The 2026 World Space Week celebrations are being conducted at six selected locations across three States—Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. The event also featured lectures and interactive sessions by senior ISRO scientists.
P. A. Saravana Perumal, Project Director, SSLV Launch Complex Project, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, ISRO, Principal Sivakumar and others participated.
The two-day programme, which began today, witnessed the participation of more than 8,000 school students from the southern districts. Various competitions, including drawing, quiz, colouring and essay writing, were conducted for the students. The students also enthusiastically visited the exhibitions showcasing rockets and other space-related models and technologies, a press release said.
Published – October 08, 2026 08:23 pm IST

