April 20-26, 2026 | Vol 45, Week 16 | Hawai`i Island, USA
ULA Vulcan-Centaur Rocket Needs Northrop Grumman Boosters to Pass the Test
United Launch Alliance (ULA) plans a static fire test this week of its Vulcan-Centaur (VC) rocket. Although a VC deployed two satellites to geosynchronous orbit in February, one of its four GEM63XL solid rocket boosters blasted off a nozzle, repeating a 2024 launch issue, requiring the two Blue Origin BE-4 first-stage engines to adjust for asymmetric thrust. When corrective measures are verified, a VC will launch the USSF-57 infrared satellite to orbit NET May. Expected to replace Atlas and Delta rockets, the VC stands 61 to 67 meters tall, depending on fairing, and is 5.4 meters in diameter. The BE-4s burn a combination of Liquid Oxygen and industrial-grade, clean-burning Liquefied Natural Gas that is more than 95% methane. Two to six GEM 63XL engines (63in/1.6m diameter x 72ft/~22m length) can be mounted, depending on payload demands, and many already have been delivered to Cape Canaveral in anticipation of increased launch cadence. These will likely need to be examined, possibly by manufacturer Northrop Grumman. The VC upper stage has two RL10C engines manufactured by L3Harris that burn liquid hydrogen and have a record of 500+ successful flights. VC is expected to launch 38 Amazon Leo missions and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser to the ISS NET Q4, and the upper stage is to be used for Artemis IV. (Image Credits: ULA, Northrop Grumman)
China 'Explores Together' on April 24 National Space Day
April 24 marks 56 years since China’s first successful satellite launch on that day in 1970, but 70 years from the organizational and scientific efforts made in 1956 toward that later success. This year’s theme is “70 Years of Skyward Exploration, Together Toward the Cosmos.” Chengdu, Sichuan Province is the center of celebrations, acknowledging advancements such as Tiangong Space Station, preparations for lunar missions including early-2026 testing of the rocket and crew capsule designed to go to the Moon, the upcoming Chang’E-7 launch NET August, advancements in the human lunar flight system, Tianwen 2 that launched last year for arrival in 2027 at near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, and wet-fueling test ahead of launch for the Long March 10B rocket, a precursor to the Long March 10 Lunar Variant. Space Day includes opening ceremony, space science exhibitions, cultural forums, academic conferences and a Tianfu Towers light show. Space Day organizers emphasize China’s commitment to the peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of humanity. Events throughout China aim to inspire public support for space programs and foster scientific curiosity, exploration and innovation among young people, including open days at space facilities, science lectures, competitions and workshops. (Image Credits: Luo Hongyang, CNSA, CMSA)
Humans in Space
☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven members are working to unpack ~5,000 kg of supplies from Cygnus NG-24 XL cargo craft “SS Steven R Nagel” that arrived last week and was captured by Canadarm2. Research studies being delivered include a quantum science module seeking dark matter, improved computing technology, equipment for therapeutic stem cell production to treat diseases, a gut microbiome study, and a device to improve ability to predict “space weather” that could help protect space-based GPS and radar systems. As well, the E4D exercise system from ESA arrived. SS Steven R Nagel is to stay docked until October.
☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew collected and froze saliva samples that will return to Earth with them later this month for analysis of digestive and intestinal function, collected / centrifuged blood samples and used a spectrometer on urine samples to further study of metabolic indicators. The crew is working with cognitive research on emergency decision-making and emotional states, doing physics projects using combustion equipment. As usual, they are maintaining cryogenic and life-support systems, organizing supplies and the cabin, and exercising with treadmill and resistance bands.
◐ Lunar Enterprise News: NASA Authorization Act of 2026 provides US$24B+ and directs establishment of a permanent Moon base. | NASA is partnering with JAXA / ISRO for LUPEX rover NET 2028 by providing Neutron Spectrometer System water-hunting instrument. | All major elements of Chang’E-7 have arrived at Wenchang for integration / tests prior to launch on Long March 5 NET August. | South Korea’s first lunar rover, from private company UEL, will fly on ispace (Japan) 3rd Moon landing mission NET 2028. | For its Ocula lunar orbiter imaging service, Firefly is partnering with NVIDIA for faster onboard imagery processing. | Russian Academy of Sciences has approved participation in China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) including 5kW nuclear power plant. | First full-duration static fire test completed on Starship V3.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Apr 20: Apollo Asteroid 2026 AC4 (0.027 AU); Tue Apr 21: Apollo Asteroid 2026 GJ1 (0.022 AU); Wed Apr 22: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BK2 (0.025 AU); Sat Apr 25: Apollo Asteroid 2022 UU8 (0.022 AU)
First Woman Lands on the Moon …
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