Look up to space...

It is World Space Week, and it is time for some space talk.

The most interesting people to have this conversation with would be young students. It would be intriguing to listen to their observations and the list of possibilities.

In conjunction with World Space Week 2026, and based on the role of the Oman Astronomical and Space Society in developing scientific culture among young people and enhancing their interest in astronomy and space sciences, the organisation has offered a collection of supporting scientific and educational materials aimed at science teachers to use in activating Space Week with students of all age groups and enriching their educational experience with purposeful and enjoyable scientific activities and content.

I suppose parents could also explore the topics with their children.

As technology would have it, all of this information can be accessed and viewed via the QR codes attached to the post.

The objective of the educational initiative by the Oman Astronomical and Space Society supporting science teachers during World Space Week 2026, observed from October 4 until 10, 2026, is to engage students of all ages through interactive and purposeful space science activities, which are truly a treat.

Do you know why the World Space Week is held from October 4 to October 10 every year?

It commemorates two monumental events that defined human space exploration, and they are the launch of Sputnik 1 (on October 4, 1957, by the then Soviet Union) and the entry into force of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.

Sputnik 1 was the world's first artificial satellite, officially kicking off the Space Age, whereas the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space came into effect and formed the foundation of international space law. World Space Week is declared annually by the United Nations and organised in coordination with the World Space Week Association (WSWA) and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and this year the theme is Rocket Revolution, in addition to looking at space education and space achievement.

The October 10 legal framework is highly significant because the Outer Space Treaty established that "Space should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, benefiting all mankind and preventing weapons of mass destruction from being placed in orbit."

So how much has space technology influenced our lives?

Of course we all know we depend on satellites for communications, and one that we use daily is the GPS — Global Positioning System. We cannot do without our mobile phones, and this indicates how closely we are connected with space technology. In fact, navigating has become so peaceful with shared locations.

You already might know that every location-based feature on our phone relies on space technology.

​It was intriguing to know our phone’s internal GPS receiver connects to a constellation of at least 24 to 30 navigation satellites (such as US GPS, European Galileo, or GLONASS) orbiting about 20,000 km above Earth.

See, we are connected to space in our own way. Space technology provides global connections.

Positioning system satellites enable smartphone mapping, ride-sharing apps, maritime trade routes, not to forget autonomous vehicle navigation, and precise aviation flight paths.

Space technology is the backbone of global banking and power grids.

It is the set of atomic clocks aboard GPS satellites that provide hyper-accurate time synchronisation required to clear global financial transactions, coordinate cellular network traffic, and keep power grids running smoothly.

We always talk about the early warning system. Here too, the technology developed for space helps in weather forecasting and disaster warning because earth observation satellites track extreme weather systems ranging from tropical storms, wildland fires, and floods, and we know how important it is to save lives.

The space technology also plays a crucial role in health, incorporating what was developed for life in space because the precision tracking technology has been used in Lasik eye surgery.

The memory foam we are so used to today was originally engineered in the 1960s to improve crash protection and custom seating for pilots and astronauts. The memory foam is now standard in mattresses, helmets, and medical beds.

Now when it comes to Rocket Revolution, we are actually seeing a change in the dimensions in development.

In 2026 we are looking at advances in reusable rocketry, private launch providers, and commercial space flight that make accessing Earth orbit more affordable. According to the experts, the focus is also on how lower launch barriers allow more nations, universities, and research institutions to deploy payloads and satellites. One of the key factors is to explore major technical shifts in launch infrastructure, manufacturing, and propulsion technologies driving deeper space exploration.

Travelling to space commercially could be just around the corner.