Mission overview
The Global Community Activation officially launches the Fourth Annual SPACE UNGANA, a month-long global celebration of United Nations International Moon Day.
Held on Nelson Mandela International Day, this special event brings together international partners, space organizations, universities, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and citizens from around the world to begin a shared journey toward a peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive future beyond Earth.
Join us as we unveil the 2026 mission, launch new global initiatives, celebrate international partnerships, and welcome participants into a growing Global Community of Practice committed to Space for All Humanity.
Why You Should Join
Be among the first to experience SPACE UNGANA 2026.
✔ Official Global Launch
✔ International Moon Day Celebration
✔ Global Partner Roll Call
✔ World Premiere of the SPACE UNGANA 2026 Video
✔ Launch of the 2026 Mission Calendar
✔ New Calls for Participation
✔ Meet the Global Community
Programme Highlights
Welcome from the International Moon Day Secretariat
Celebrating the global movement behind International Moon Day and humanity's shared future beyond Earth.
Feature Presentation
The Making of International Moon Day
Discover the story behind the international movement that inspired this global celebration.
Meet organizations and representatives from around the world joining SPACE UNGANA 2026.
Mission Calendar Launch
Preview the month-long programme featuring the SPACE Futures Forum, African Parliament of the Future, Design Dojos, FutureSpace Leadership Day, LUNARYA Virtual Analog Mission, MoonTales, STARTUP SPACE, and the Grand Finale.
Global Opportunities
Learn how to participate through:
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Abstract Presentations
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Design Dojos
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Student Posters
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STARTUP SPACE
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LUNARYA Virtual Analog
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African Parliament of the Future
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Partnership Opportunities
SCHEDULE
Saturday, 18 July
Time (EDT) Activity
7:00 AM Mission Control Opens & Welcome
7:15 AM International Moon Day Secretariat
7:25 AM SPACE UNGANA 2026 Overview
7:35 AM The Making of International Moon Day
7:50 AM Global Partner Roll Call
8:15 AM Launch of the 2026 Mission Calendar
8:30 AM Global Calls & Opportunities
8:50 AM Join the Community of Practice & Closing
Global Time Zones
City Time
🇺🇸 Washington, DC 7:00–9:00 AM EDT
🇬🇠Accra 11:00 AM–1:00 PM GMT
🇰🇪 Nairobi 2:00–4:00 PM EAT
🇮🇳 Delhi 4:30–6:30 PM IST
🇯🇵 Tokyo 8:00–10:00 PM JST
OUR SPEAKERS
DR. CLAIRE A.NELSON
Founder & Chair
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Alma Okpalefe
World Space Week Association
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Executive Director ​​​​
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Karlton Johnson
National Space Society's Board of Governors
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Chairman​​​​
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Dr. Matthew Adepoju
National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)
Director General/Chief Executive​​​​
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Dr. Zolana Rui João
Angola National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN)
Director General ​​​​
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​Dr. Yeshurun Alemayehu Adde
Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI)
Deputy Director General
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Prof. Alejandro J. ROMAN MOLINAS
​Paraguayan Space Agency
General Director of Execution and Aerospace Development
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Maram Kairé
​Senegalese Space Agency (ASES)
Director General
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Etim Offiong
​African Space Leadership Institute (ASLI)
Co-founder
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​Engr. Dr. Seyi Festus Olatoyinbo
​African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in English (ARCSSTE-E)
Director
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Rihab Ben Moussa
​Space in Africa
Policy Analyst
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Dr. Paloma Mohamed
​University of Guyana
Vice Chancellor
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David Kasibante
​Space Generation Advisory Council
Co-Regional Coordinator for Africa
Solomon Applekey
​Xavier Space Solutions
Vice Chancellor
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Dr Guilin Dede
Space Renaissance International
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Director of Partnerships​
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Lakshmi Karan
LunARC
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Co-founder
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Manny Pimenta
Virtual Moon, LLC
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Founder and CEO​
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Vishal Perera
SEDS Global Coordination / SEDS-Earth)​
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Chairperson​
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Carla Muttoni
Spring Up Technology
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Founder and Director
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Kelvin Dafiaghor
MVA National Coordinator - NIGERIA
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Gelila Birhanu
Moon Village Association​
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National Coordinator for Ethiopia
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Jemimah Kwakuyi
Xavier Space Solutions
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Founder andEngineer CEO​
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