The Shenzhou 23 mission is scheduled to launch NET May 24. Although originally planned for November, the craft was moved sooner consequent to the space debris impact on the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft. The 3-member crew will be introduced to the public at a pre-launch press conference with the possible reveal of the Taikonaut who will stay in space for a year, the other 2 returning after a standard 6-month stay. In October, Shenzhou 24 will be the next crew rotation—one with international significance as a Pakistani Astronaut will stay for a few days, returning to Earth with two Shenzhou 23 Taikonauts. Science for both Shenzhou 23 and 24 is planned at a high level; the docked Tianzhou-10 cargo ship delivering 67 experiments (768 kg, for 41 research projects). During the one-year stay, cardiovascular system, eye health, psychological state and genetic shifts will be tracked. Other life study includes animal embryo growth, stem cell differentiation and bone cell degradation. Physical science projects include: seeing how fluids behave, mix and transfer heat without gravity, vital for designing better spacecraft fuel tanks and thermal systems; melting, mixing and solidifying exotic metal alloys and crystals inside high-temperature materials racks. Crews will continue live interactive science broadcasts. (Image Credits: CNSA)
The 11th Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP) Conference is being held this week to strategize best practices for engaging with those who are not professional astronomers. Hosted every two years by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Commission C2 and Office for Astronomy Outreach, exchange of ideas and global collaboration are encouraged among the ~200 expected onsite in Yerevan, Armenia, and perhaps as many participating online. Co-hosts with IAU are Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and Armenian Astronomical Society; collaborator is National Astronomical Observatory of Japan ahead of the November 2-6 symposium in Tokyo, “Innovative Research and Techniques in Astronomy Communication”. CAP2026’s theme is “Democratizing Astronomy Communication in the Era of Accessible Artificial Intelligence”. It is hoped that Yerevan will become a major astronomy networking hub for Central Asia and the Middle East. Learning to bridge complex scientific data and public understanding provides benefits for professional and amateur astronomers; communicators, journalists and writers; planetarium and science center staff; and even informal educators and creative artists. OAO also manages the peer-reviewed CAP Journal to highlight astronomy communication. (Image Credits: IAU)
☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 members are preparing and reviewing procedures for a spacewalk this week by Roscosmos Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. They are inspecting two Orlan spacesuits for correct function while Andrey Fedyaev is configuring the European robotic arm. ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot has been photographing the Moon documented during her “Epsilon” mission. NASA Astronauts Chris Williams, Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway are conducting experiments with cartilage tissue and cancer-treatment drugs and are about to being growing microgreens for a healthy diet.
☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three members are enjoying steaks, chicken wings, peaches and grapes brought on the latest cargo delivery along with a 3rd more-comfortable spacesuit and 41 science items involving fluid physics, fish observing, embryos — zebrafish / mice / human-stem-cell-derived artificial, fibers, and 80-micrometer-thick flexible solar cells. They will soon deploy a small satellite produced for Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics by MinoSpace to demonstrate controlled formation flight between spacecraft. Shenzhou-23 crew planned to launch NET May 24.
◐ Lunar Enterprise News: Intuitive Machines advancing its lunar communications network with purchase of a company operating dozens of ground antennas, while expecting NASA’s decision on its rover. | Jared Isaacman believes Chinese Taikonauts will fly around the Moon in 2027 — which first requires multiple successful tests of Long March 10 and the Mengzhou spacecraft. | Beyond Earth Institute has published “Securing a Cislunar Future: Markets, Minerals and Momentum”. | New campus doubles the size of Firefly’s facilities in Cedar Park TX to enable assembly line of lunar landers and orbital vehicles. | Artemis III SLS rocket may be stacked within 2 months. | New NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson joins in “accelerating the Artemis Program“. | Ascend2026 panel emphasizes need for nuclear power to survive lunar night. | NASA ranks extended lunar operation #1 in its 2026 shortfall list. | PricewaterhouseCoopers published a Lunar Market Assessment, projecting US$127B annual revenues, dependent on radioisotope or nuclear power to survive lunar night. | Intuitive Machines will use a laser landing unit by Advanced Navigation for its IM-4 mission. | Astrolab FLIP Rover, flying on Astrobotic Griffin-1 lander NET late 2026, to carry 4 CLPS instruments: METAL, LRA, LDES and LiDAR.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon May 25: Apollo Asteroid 2026 KW (0.008 AU) | Wed May 27: Amor Asteroid 2026 JJ (0.048 AU) | Thu May 28: Amor Asteroid 2026 KD1 (0.028 AU) | Sat May 30: Aten Asteroid 2023 BM4 (0.031 AU)
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Have your name sent to the Moon for FREE on the ILO-1 lunar mission via Astrolab FLEX rover (NET 2027). You will automatically be signed up for our weekly Space Calendar.
Online short course on Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), critical for crew transfer, in-space assembly and space debris removal, among other uses. Instructor is Pradipto Ghosh; 12 classroom hours / 2.4 CEU-PDH; online via Zoom with replays available. Students will receive Certificates of Completion from both AIAA and Johns Hopkins […]
Launch scheduled for 23:08 Beijing Time | 15:08 UTC | 05:08 HST of 3 Taikonauts to Tiangong Space Station - one member to stay aboard Tiangong for one year, allowing for Pakistani Astronaut visit around October / November.
Launch window open 07:41-11:41 EDT | 11:41-15:41 UTC | 01:41-05:41 HST for 29 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1078 expected to land on ASDS ASOG after this 28th use.
Theme "Democratizing Astronomy Communication in the era of accessible Artificial Intelligence" will bring together astronomy communicators from around the world, both online and in-person in Armenia. At Ani Plaza Hotel. Conference dinner will be at Voskevaz Winery. Special visit to be made to Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Pre- and post-conference tours […]
At 14:00 EDT | 18:00 UTC | 08:00 HST, NASA personnel including Administrator Isaacman will discuss plans and progress toward a sustained presence on the lunar surface, a Moon Base. Speaking at NASA Headquarters, leadership will discuss program progress, including new industry partners and mission plans. Subject matter experts will […]
Founders and startup teams: The window to secure a distinctive advantage in the space economy is closing. The 2026 Orbital Edge Accelerator connects high-potential ventures with $500,000–$750,000 in private capital, expert mentorship, and access to space-based testing—alongside eligibility for a $100,000 non-dilutive Boeing-funded prize. Backed by Context Ventures, Cook Inlet […]
Expecting 2,000+ attendees, 225+ presenters, 200+ exhibitors at RAI Convention Centre, with business, defense and technical tracks, as well as Space Generation Advisory Council SGAC Young Professionals Forum.
Organized by the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, the 32nd AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference (Aeroacoustics 2026) is the premier international forum dedicated to aeroacoustics research and innovation. The AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference 2026 continues to be the leading international platform for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge in the field […]
13:00 EDT | 17:00 UTC | 07:00 HST; Featuring: Andrew Aldrin, Program Coordinator, Masters of Space Operations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Hoyt Davidson, Founder & Managing Partner, Near Earth LLC | Chris Salvino, CEO & Founder, Lunar Helium-3 Mining | Jack Gregg, Adjunct Professor & Author | moderator Courtney Smith, […]
"Bridging Japan and the World's Space Business", visitors are invited to discover innovations, network, collaborate, and get educated about the latest advancements in space. At Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center), located at 3-11-1 Ariake, Kōtō-ku, Tokyo 135-0063, in the Ariake Minami district of Tokyo Waterfront City (Odaiba area). […]
Launch window open 07:00-11:00 PDT | 14:00-18:00 UTC | 04:00-08:00 HST for 24 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1082 expected to land on ASDS OCISLY after this 22nd use.
Online from 11:00-16:00 EDT | 05:00-10:00 HST | 15:00-20:00 UTC, will feature presentations and panels with speakers from academia, industry, nonprofit and government. Agenda and registration available here: https://lsic.jhuapl.edu/Events/Agenda/index.php?id=63600027
11:00-17:00 EDT | 08:00-14:00 PDT | 05:00-11:00 HST -- NASA updates will highlight the stunning triumph of Artemis II, as well as progress across the many teams working to achieve lunar surface science and exploration objectives. Presenters will share developments in hardware, operations, and training concepts underway across the agency […]
Launch window open 07:52-11:52 EDT | 11:52-15:52 UTC | 01:52-05:52 HST for 29 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1085 expected to land on ASDS ASOG after this 16th use.
Launch window open 19:33-20:02 EDT | 13:33-14:02 HST | 23:33 May 29 - 00:02 May 30 UTC for 29 communications satellites to LEO for broadband internet service.
22:46 HST on May 30 | 08:46 UTC on May 31.
Launch window open 19:00-23:00 PDT | 16:00-20:00 HST | 02:00-06:00 June 1 UTC for 24 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1088 expected to land on ASDS OCISLY after this 16th use.
Held online every 5 years, this year June 30-July 4; broad categories included science / engineering, art / media, philosophy / policy.
Six Premier Awards, a dozen Technical Excellence Awards, Lectureship, Service and Publication Awards, and more -- all nominations are due online today by 23:59 EDT, with references due July 1.