International Day of Human Space Flight today

Kathmandu, April 12: The International Day of Human Space Flight is being observed today, commemorating the first human journey into space. April 12 has been observed each year as the International Day of Human Space Flight since 2011.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on April 7, 2011 had endorsed a resolution  on it. As the UN states, "12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity."

The celebration of this day reaffirms the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals, enhancing the well-being of nations and peoples, and ensuring the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, it is said. 

The General Assembly has expressed its deep conviction in the common interest of humankind in promoting and expanding the exploration and use of outer space as the province of all humanity, for peaceful purposes, and in continuing efforts to extend the benefits derived from it to all countries, the UN says. (RSS)