Space Science Education, Outreach activities and their impacts in Nepal

Paper number

IAC-12,E1,7,7,x12843

Author

Mr. Suresh Bhattarai, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Nepal

Year

2012

Abstract

Nepal is one of the member states of United Nation (UN) and listed as one of the least developed countries and does not have proper space infrastructures.  Space sciences and astronomy have always been one of the most fascinating subjects among the young people in Nepal. Nepal is one of the member country of Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)’s Space Education and Awareness working group (SEA WG) since 2001 and member of Board of Governance of Center for Space Science and Technology Education In Asia and pacific (CSSTEAP) established in 1995 which is the regional center of the United Nation for capacity building programs in Asia pacific. With the rapid development of Information and communication (ICT) in Nepal and great influence of social media, it has been actively participating in the conferences such as APRSAF, COSPAR for many years. Participation in the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) and Space Generation Congress (SGC) in recent years has increased the level of awareness in the society.

This paper will present an overview of the current status of space science education and outreach activities in Nepal. Highlights on the Nepal’s participation in COSPAR program, APRSAF and their outcomes will be discussed in brief. Initiatives of the Government of Nepal (GON) and roadmap for next 20 years will be presented in brief. Outreach activities of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), an autonomous apex body established in 1982 to promote S & T and B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Board, established in 1992 by the GON in order to establish Planetaria, Observatories and Science Museums in Nepal & conduct research activities in the area of Space Science, Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology will be highlighted. Activities of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) at national level and Nepali Association for Astronomical Mission (NAAM), Nepal Astronomy and Space Science Association (NASSA) and other existing clubs at local/national levels along with their impacts in the societies will be discussed in details. The problems encountered by the above mentioned organizations while executing outreach activities will also be discussed in brief.

Abstract document

IAC-12,E1,7,7,x12843.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,E1,7,7,x12843.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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