Vol 45, Week 8: Lunar Broadcast Precursor — Terrestrial Edition
On February 25 Space One of Japan is aiming to launch the Kairos 4-stage all-solid-fuel vehicle, taking 4 satellites to SSO. This is a critical 3rd flight to achieve orbit and prove commercial viability. So far, Kairos has not had a successful orbital insertion yet, though the company has made major progress in private Japanese launch infrastructure and technology development. Japan’s commercial space sector includes other startups and established players such as: ispace (lunar exploration and landers), Astroscale (orbital debris removal and satellite servicing), Synspective (SAR satellite imaging), GITAI (space robotics), Axelspace (microsatellites), and Japan LEO Shachu (commercial LEO modules). JAXA continues its space leadership exemplified by it being one of 5 major entities involved with the ISS, providing the Kibo (translation “Hope”) science module and commitment through 2030. Japan also accomplished the first successful asteroid sample return (Hayabusa/Hayabusa2) and was the fifth nation to soft-land on the Moon (2024 SLIM mission). It continues to advance space robotics, sustainable innovations (Lignosat), reliable launch vehicles such as H3, and was one of the original 8 signers of the Artemis Accords. The HTV-X is the only ISS cargo craft that can operate as an independent orbital satellite for up to 18 months after undocking, useful for equipment testing, before re-entry burn-up. (Image Credits: Space One, JAXA, ISS Partners, ispace)
As an overview: Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) is actively recruiting experts in any of its 4 focus areas to help NASA keep the USA at the forefront of lunar exploration after forming in 2020 to harness creativity, energy and resources among academia, industry, government and nonprofits. It operates in collaboration with the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate under the Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative and fosters communications and collaborations. This week, the Surface Power (SP) Group holds its monthly telephone conference; the other 3 groups are: In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), Excavation / Construction (E&C), and Crosscutting Capabilities (CC). The latter includes Extreme Environments, Extreme Access, Dust Mitigation, Lunar Simulants, and Interoperability. SP topics include solar, fuel cells, fission, low-temperature batteries, wireless and long-distance transmission, electronics and storage. ISRU – material found or manufactured on the Moon – looks at processes for collecting / purifying water, extracting oxygen / metals, and ways of achieving industrial scale for ISRU. E&C evaluates technologies to build and repair landing / launch pads, roads and habitats, including autonomous construction. These and the many CC focus areas leave room for any knowledgeable enthusiast or seasoned scientist to share ideas, understandings and proposals for human success on the Moon. (Image Credits: NASA, LSIC, JHUAPL)
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 now has the full complement of 7 members after arrival of Dragon Crew-12. Onboard are NASA’s Chris Williams, Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, Roscosmos’ Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (current Station Commander), Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev, and ESA’s Sophie Adenot of France. The crew continues to unpack cargo from Dragon capsule. Specific tasks include: wearing acoustic sensors to record respiration in microgravity; scanning veins with ultrasound; doing medical training and an emergency drill; practicing with emergency respirators; monitoring nighttime photography of Earth in near-ultraviolet wavelengths; readying a body temperature study; working with computer hardware to support medicine-manufacturing research; exploring the use of AI tools to boost crew efficiency.
Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew of 3, Taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, continue celebrating Spring Festival following Chinese New Year, enjoying traditional foods such as dumplings, char siu pork, tea and apples, along with freshly baked cake from an air fryer. They have entertained themselves, their families and the public with elaborate decorations around the station, calligraphy, poetry, chants, harmonica, karaoke and flying stuffed animals. They each have 2 scheduled rest days during the festival. Naturally, they continue various science experiments, station maintenance, physical electronic monitoring, and vital exercise routines with treadmill, bicycle and resistance equipment.
Lunar Enterprise News: Artemis 2 Launch Director Judith Charlene “Charlie” Blackwell-Thompson reports that its 4 Astronauts now re-enter soft quarantine ahead of planned March 6 launch after 2nd Wet Dress Rehearsal completes successfully, headed to Flight Readiness Review Process.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Tue Feb 24: Apollo Asteroid 2018 RB1 (0.021 AU); Tue Feb 24: Aten Asteroid 2022 EZ6 (0.029 AU); Thu Feb 26: Apollo Asteroid 2026 CU1 (0.008 AU); Sat Feb 28: Apollo Asteroid 2007 DG8 (0.025 AU)
The First Woman FLIES to the Moon …
NET (no earlier than)
First Woman LANDS on the Moon …
Loading Moon data for your location...
Loading planet data...
Sign up to have your name sent to the Moon for FREE on two lunar missions: Astrolab FLIP (NET summer 2026) and ILO-1 via Astrolab FLEX rover (NET 2027). You will automatically be signed up for our weekly Space Calendar.
Charles J. "Charlie" Precourt flew 4 Space Shuttle missions, including the first to dock with Mir, the Russian Space Station. At Utah State University Engineering Building Room 103, 17:30 MST.
Launch window open 15:00-19:45 EST (10:00-14:25 HT) for scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicle developed by Hypersonix of Australia launching on 2-stage orbital expendable orbital launch vehicle with electric-pump-fed engines.
From 20:00-21:15 EST (UTC-5), Greg will discuss his career in human spaceflight, including flying aboard the space shuttle and living and working on the International Space Station. He will share insights into daily life on orbit, operating spacecraft systems, and working as part of an international crew in a demanding […]
Topical theme is "Ground System Disruption: Reshaping the Status Quo with Commercial Innovation" to focus on commercial systems and capabilities will drive government solutions. Includes tutorials, working groups, plenary presentations, posters, technical exhibits, evening sessions, and classified session for up to 200 USA citizens on the final day at The […]
A biennial event organized by ISRO for researchers working in the fields of atmospheric, space and planetary sciences, astronomy and astrophysics, and the exploration of solar system bodies. The first NSSS was held in 1978 at Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. The 23rd National Space Science Symposium will be held at Umiam, Shillong […]
Annual Engineers' Week Networking Dinner, for SAE, AIAA, IEEE Central Indiana, Women in Engineering; meet-and-greet networking at Centerpoint Brewing Company, 1125 East Brookside Avenue Suite 2B; 18:00-20:00 EST.
From Space Habitat to Space Town: Creating a Clear Pathway. Featured speakers include Pete Worden, George Whitesides, Scott Pace and Bhavya Lal. Subjects include Lunar Territorial Allocations, Space Governance Models. At American University Washington College of Law.
19:00-21:00 UT; Join the Open University’s, Professor David Rothery in person or online for a Fireside Chat with Jerry Stone for ‘BepiColombo: Europe’s Journey to Mysterious Mercury’ From icy polar craters to volcanic plains, Jerry and David will chat about ESA/JAXA’s mission to the inner edge of the Solar System.
Curated content followed by networking and community, this 1st session features "The Galactic Recipe for Exo-Planets" presentation by Stephanie Werner from the University of Oslo and the Centre for Planetary Habitability. What does it take to form an Earth-like planet? is 17:00-18:30, and networking is 18:30-20:00; at Mesh Youngstorget, Møllergata 6, […]
Taking place at South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center in League City, Texas; ASCENDxTexas is where leaders from government, industry, and academia come together to collaborate on the future of space exploration, commercial innovation, and research partnerships. It’s a high-impact, two-day experience designed to foster progress and community across the […]
After a final reboost of the ISS, CRS-33, SpaceX Cargo Dragon, is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station for return to Earth, with research samples and cargo, via spashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The reboost capability of Dragon is from the "kit" attached to the outside of the […]
At 11:00 EST (06:00 HT) Matt Granger from NASA Glenn will present the Advanced Modular Power Systems (AMPS) project to the group. Then, Emma McCauley from L3 Harris will share details about the ECLIPSE 500 Power Supply as an example of AMPS in practice. Following will be a combined Q&A. […]
Scientists and students in all areas of gravitational physics are invited. The LISA Consortium seeks to launch the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna designed to detect gravitational waves. At University of California Riverside: Feb 26 at University Lecture Hall, Feb 27-28 at HUB 302 North.
3:00 pm - Volunteers and speakers arrive/eat at HP 4:30 pm - Guests arrive @HP 4:45 - 5:45 pm - Lecture 6 pm - Volunteers set up telescopes (Weather dependent) 6:37 pm - Sunset 7 - 8:30 pm - Moongazing in HP lower lot (45 min moon only, 45 min star talk […]
At 09:00-13:10 Japan Time (14:00-18:10 Feb 26 Hawaii Time). Held annually with the aim of deepening discussions that contribute to ensuring the stable use of outer space. At Akasaka Intercity Conference Center 401 and streaming on YouTube, accessible from https://nsps2026.pco-prime.com/. Speakers include Minister of State for Space Policy of […]
Launch window 16:50-20:58 PST (14:50-18:58 HST) for test flight of 2-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle by Austin TX, USA company Firefly Aerospace.
Discusses his book "Experiencing the Universe: How your senses and mathematics enrich your understanding of the night sky ... and beyond", with further topic explanation of "a synthesis of astronomical narrative with math insights. On Zoom at 19:00 EST (14:00 HST). Meeting ID 895 264 5644, Passcode 634305 Zoom link: […]
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune form an arc across the sky, most visible in the west 20-40 minutes after sunset. Venus and Jupiter will be easily visible. Saturn and Mercury may be visible, but they will be lower on the horizon and set quickly. Uranus and Neptune will […]
At 08:30 CST (04:30 HST), Bonnie Buratti will discuss: The scientific importance of Europa as a potentially habitable ocean world The goals and capabilities of the Europa Clipper mission How the spacecraft will study Europa's geology, interior structure, and surface composition What these discoveries could reveal about habitability beyond Earth […]
Conference runs until March 3. This is the 3rd annual conference to convene space industry professionals to explore the flourishing space economy. Registration costs reduces for National Space Club members, Space Force Association members, federal government employees and University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) faculty, staff and students. At UAH. […]
Carissa Christensen, CEO of BryceTech, takes a deep dive into ten technologies outlined in the AIAA report on Technologies Transforming Aerospace; 12:00-13:00 EST (07:00-08:00 HST)