Houston - In a move that will surely have the Moon feeling both flattered and slightly pressured, the World Space Week Association announced today that Tory Bruno, President of National Security at Blue Origin, will serve as Honorary Chair of World Space Week 2027. Because nothing says 'celebrating humanity's lunar ambitions' quite like a guy who builds rockets for a living.
Association President Dennis Stone gushed, 'Tory Bruno is an outstanding choice to serve as Honorary Chair for World Space Week 2027.' The theme, 'To the Moon,' is apparently not just a cheeky suggestion but a nod to humanity's renewed obsession with our celestial neighbor. Stone added, 'Tory's leadership throughout his career has helped advance the launch capabilities that are enabling this new era of exploration, and Blue Origin is a leader in lunar capability development.' Translation: He's got the right stuff, and the right rockets.
Bruno, ever the diplomat, said, 'It is an honor to serve as Honorary Chair of World Space Week 2027.' He waxed poetic about establishing a lasting presence on the Moon, which is apparently the next step toward a future where people can live, work, and explore beyond Earth. He also mentioned inspiring a new generation, because every space announcement must include at least one nod to the children. 'The first step in changing our human destiny,' he declared, presumably while staring thoughtfully at a rocket.
Association Executive Director Alma Okpalefe chimed in, 'The Moon represents both our next destination and a gateway to the future of space exploration.' She promises that World Space Week 2027 will highlight missions, technologies, and international collaborations, while inspiring students, educators, and communities to engage with humanity's next great chapter. Because nothing says 'engagement' like a week-long space-themed party.
For those who can't wait until 2027, World Space Week 2026 is just around the corner, October 4-10, with thousands of events in nearly 100 countries. This year's theme is 'The Rocket Revolution,' and the Honorary Chair is John Elbon, former CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA). So you can celebrate the rockets that got us here before celebrating the Moon that we're heading to.
Okpalefe encouraged the global space community to organize events, from October 4-10, exploring the Rocket Revolution in 2026 and the Moon in 2027. She also urged organizers to add their events to the global calendar at www.worldspaceweek.org, so they can be discovered and celebrated by audiences around the world. Because what's a space celebration without proper event listings?
About Blue Origin: They make rocket engines, reusable launch vehicles, lunar landers, and satellite systems. Check them out at BlueOrigin.com. About World Space Week: It's the largest space event on Earth, UN-declared, and celebrated annually from October 4 - 10. In 2025, up to 50,000 events took place in 102 countries. About World Space Week Association: They're the global coordinator, a non-profit with permanent observer status on the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and they're supported by a who's who of space companies, including Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, Texas Instruments, Firefly Aerospace, L3 Harris, Black Sky, Airbus, Cesium Astro, Space Foundation, Gaia Horizons, Bae Systems, and Space News. Founded in 1982, they're one of the world's oldest space advocacy organizations. So, you know, they've been at this for a while.
Contact: Dennis Stone at dstone@worldspaceweek.org, +1 832-628-2212 (US), and Alma Okpalefe at aokpalefe@worldspaceweek.org (International). Because even space celebrations need PR.