World Space Week 2026 • 4–10 October • KS1

Rocket
Revolution

How do rockets fly into space? Let's go on an amazing adventure to find out — from the very first fireworks to rockets that can land back on Earth!

Begin Countdown
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Part 01

How Rockets
Work

Rockets work because of a simple rule: when something pushes one way, it moves the other way. Hot gas pushes down out of the bottom, and the rocket flies up! Try blowing up a balloon and letting it go — it zooms away just like a rocket!

🎆
Did You Know?
The first rockets were invented in China over 800 years ago! They were fireworks. The same idea that makes fireworks go whoosh is the same idea that sends astronauts to the Moon!
800+
Years of rockets
Super fast
Faster than any car
Push!
Push down, fly up
🎈
Balloon Rocket
Let go of a blown-up balloon — the air shoots out one way and the balloon flies the other way. That is how a rocket works!
⛽
Rocket Fuel
Rockets carry special fuel inside them. There is no air in space, so they bring everything they need to make the fire that pushes them along.
🧪
Two Types of Fuel
Some rockets use runny fuel like a liquid. Others use solid fuel, a bit like a giant firework! Some rockets even use both.
💬 Class Discussion
Can you think of other things that push one way and move the other? What about when you push off the wall in a swimming pool, or jump off a trampoline?
Part 02

Saturn V &
The Moon Race

A long time ago, two countries had a race to see who could get to the Moon first! America built a giant rocket called Saturn V. It was as tall as 36 houses stacked on top of each other! In 1969, it carried astronauts to the Moon for the very first time.

"The Moon is the first stop on our journey to the stars!"
— Fun Space Fact 🌟
111m
Tall (36 houses!)
12
People walked on Moon
1969
First Moon landing
🏗️
Three Parts
Saturn V dropped empty parts as it flew higher. This made it lighter and faster, like taking off a heavy backpack!
👨‍🚀
Moon Walkers
12 astronauts have walked on the Moon. They even brought Moon rocks back to Earth for scientists to study!
💻
Tiny Computer
The computer that flew the rocket to the Moon was much less powerful than your tablet at school. But it still got them there and back!
💬 Class Discussion
If you could fly a rocket anywhere in space, where would you go? What do you think astronauts eat for breakfast on the Moon?
Part 03

Reusable
Rockets

Imagine going on a bus trip and then throwing the bus away when you get there! That is what rockets used to do — they could only fly once. Now, a clever company called SpaceX makes rockets that can land back on Earth and fly again and again!

🤯
Amazing!
One SpaceX rocket has flown and landed more than 20 times! Most people thought landing a rocket standing up was impossible. But they did it!
300+
Rocket launches
20+
Flights per rocket
Much cheaper
Saves lots of money
🚢
Robot Ships
Rockets land on special robot boats floating in the sea. One boat is called "Of Course I Still Love You"!
💰
Saving Money
Using a rocket again is like using your lunchbox every day instead of throwing it away. It saves a lot of money!
🌍
Lots of Rockets
Now lots of other teams around the world are building rockets that can land and fly again too. It is a rocket-building race!
💬 Class Discussion
Why is it a good idea to reuse rockets instead of throwing them away? What other things do you reuse at home or school?
Part 04

Artemis &
The Future

We are going back to the Moon! This year, four astronauts flew around the Moon on a mission called Artemis II. Soon, astronauts will land on the Moon again. One day, people might even live on the Moon and travel to Mars!

🚀
Earlier This Year!
Artemis II flew around the Moon this year with four astronauts on board. Nobody had flown that far from Earth for over 50 years! That is longer than your parents have been alive!
98m
Tall (really big!)
4
Astronauts on board
10 days
Trip to the Moon
2022
Artemis I
(no people, just a test)
2026
Artemis II
(people fly around Moon)
2028
Artemis III
(people land on Moon!)
2030s
Moon Base &
trips to Mars
🌙
First Woman on Moon
Soon, the first woman will walk on the Moon. That has never happened before!
🏠
Moon Space Station
A little space station will float near the Moon. Astronauts will stop there before going down to the surface.
🔴
Going to Mars
The biggest rocket ever built is being made right now. One day it could carry people all the way to Mars!
💬 Class Discussion
If you lived on the Moon, what three things would you bring with you? What would be different about living there — could you jump really high?
Mission Complete

You've Explored the
Rocket Revolution!

From old fireworks to rockets that land back on Earth — you have learned all about how people fly into space. And the best part? There are even more amazing adventures to come!

🎯 Challenge Activity
Draw and label your own rocket! Can you write the name of each part — nose cone, fuel tank, engines, and fins? Give your rocket a name and tell the class where it is going!

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Images: NASA/public domain. World Space Week is a UN-declared celebration, 4–10 October annually.