Why SPACE UNGANA ?
The Meaning of SPACE UNGANA
The word Ungana comes from Swahili and means "to unite," "to come together," "to connect," or "to join as one." It conveys the idea of people working collectively toward a common purpose.
SPACE UNGANA therefore represents the coming together of humanity to explore, learn, innovate, and build our shared future in space.
It is both an invitation and a commitment—to unite across nations, disciplines, generations, and cultures in pursuit of a peaceful and sustainable space age.
SPACE UNGANA 2026... More Than a Conference, a Mission
SPACE UNGANA is a global Community of Practice—a growing network of students, educators, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, artists, astronauts, innovators, and citizens who believe that humanity's future in space should be built through collaboration rather than competition, stewardship rather than exploitation, and shared purpose rather than division.
While Africa is at the heart of SPACE UNGANA,
our vision is global. We welcome everyone who believes that the exploration and peaceful use of outer space should advance the well-being of all humanity
SPACE UNGANA 2026 is a 33-day global activation designed to unite Africa, the Caribbean, and the world in a shared mission to imagine, design, and build humanity's future beyond Earth. We envision a campus where innovation and education converge, fostering a global community of scientists, engineers, and students dedicated to the next great leap in space exploration.
OUR ETHICAL
FOUNDATION
SPACE UNGANA is guided by two enduring African philosophies:
Ubuntu
"I am because we are."
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Ubuntu is a philosophy deeply rooted among the Nguni-speaking peoples of Southern Africa, particularly the Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, and Swati communities.
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Ubuntu reminds us that our humanity is realized through our relationships with one another. It calls us to build a future founded upon:
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Human dignity
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Compassion
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Mutual respect
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Cooperation
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Shared responsibility
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Peace
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As humanity expands beyond Earth, Ubuntu reminds us that no nation journeys alone. ​​​
Ukama
"We are because everything is connected."
Ukama is a worldview associated particularly with the Shona people of Zimbabwe and is increasingly embraced across Southern Africa as a philosophy of interconnectedness between people, communities, nature, ancestors, and the wider universe.
Ukama teaches that humanity is part of a larger living system in which every action has consequences beyond ourselves.
As we extend human presence into space, Ukama challenges us to recognize our responsibility not only to one another, but also to Earth, the Moon, and the wider cosmos.
MISSION PORTAL
The 33 Day Master Mission Control
STARTUP SPACE Studio
4 August
LUNARYA Virtual Analog Mission
7–8 August
Our Shared Moon:
A Global Reasoning on Humanity, Spirit, and the Cosmos
International Day of the World's Indigenous People
9 August
Youth Futures Forum & Student Poster Showcase
International Youth Day
12–13 August
SPACE for Humanitarian Futures Roundtable
World Humanitarian Day
19 August
Closing Convocation Looking Towards the SPACE UNGANA Online Community
20 August
The Earth and Moon:
One Living System
SPACE UNGANA embraces a simple but profound idea:
The Earth and the Moon are not separate worlds—they are one interconnected Earth–Moon system.
The Moon shapes Earth's tides, stabilizes our planet's axial tilt, influences long-term climate, and has accompanied Earth's evolution for more than four billion years.
As humanity prepares to establish a sustained presence on the Moon, we believe we must move beyond seeing it as merely a destination or a resource.
Instead, we should understand and care for the Earth–Moon system as a shared ecological, scientific, and cultural heritage that must be explored responsibly and safeguarded for future generations.
Our Shared Commitment
We come together to:
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Learn together.
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Design together.
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Explore together.
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Innovate together.
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Mentor one another.
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Build enduring international partnerships.
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​Prepare the next generation of space leaders.
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Advance Space for All Humanity.
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We believe that emerging space nations are not spectators in the next space age.
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They are essential partners in designing humanity's future beyond Earth.
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Because the future of space belongs not to a few nations, but to all humanity.
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CALLS & OPPORTUNITIES
Join the SPACE UNGANA Global Activation
Do you want to be a Speaker, Moderator, Design Dojo/ Workshop Leader, MasterClass Presenter or Hackathon Director? Can you imagine life on the Moon?
Do you want to be a Guide/ Mentor/ Judge?
​SPACE UNGANA 2026 invites individuals and organizations from around the world to become active participants in Africa's largest month-long virtual celebration of space innovation, education, research, exploration, and international collaboration.
Whether you are a student, educator, researcher, engineer, entrepreneur, policymaker, artist, or citizen, there is a place for you.
Participation is FREE and Open to All.
One Moon.One Vision. One Future.
Call for Delegates
African Parliament of the Future - Moon Edition
JULY 18
Call for Abstracts
Share Your Knowledge. Inspire the World.
JULY 22
Call for Design Dojo Teams
Design the Future.
JULY 23
Call for IRIE MOON CONVERGENCE
Imagine Humanity's Future with the Moon
JULY 26
Call for Space Startups
Showcase Your Innovation
JULY 28
Call for Mission Participants
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LUNARYA Virtual Lunar Analog Mission
JULY 30
Call for Youth Forum Mentors
Inspire the Next Generation
AUGUST 4
Call for Student Posters
Showcase Student Art and Research
AUGUST 6
OUR COLLABORATORS
Space Ungana is a gathering of academics, advocates, policy makers, technocrats and industry leaders interested in advancing the development of space in Africa. The goal of the Open Afrika Research Education and Training Ungana (Space UNGANA) is to explore opportunities and challenges in the space industry ecosystem and identify strategies for building capacity to advance the African Space Agenda and AU 2063 in particular.
COSMOPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (NIGERIA)
ALL NATIONS UNIVERSITY SPACE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
ALL NATIONS UNIVERSITY (GHANA)
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS AEROSPACE SIG(USA)
AFRICAN ASSOCIATION FOR TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
THE BARBADOS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
AFRICA SPACE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
