Convene, connect, and collaborate at the 19th annual von Braun Space Exploration Symposium! This year’s event will spotlight how bold ideas, emerging technologies, and new partnerships are igniting innovation across the space enterprise.
Themes include: Space & the Arctic; Space & AI; Space & International Collaboration. There is a Student Session, a Technical Session, a Frontier Session, and a focus on Investment & VC: Space Investment & Capital Access. Norwegian Space Agency is a Sponsor. Space-based situational awareness is critical, and space demands […]
Oslo Spaceport Norway offers monthly a knowledgeable speaker and opportunity for networking, 17:00-20:00 local time; free entry but registration required. Ground Control is for everyone who's curious about what's happening in space and why it matters. Whether you work in the sector or have never thought about it before — […]
Astrobotic Griffin to attempt Nobile Crater / Moon South Pole landing with Astrolab FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover; originally slated to carry with NASA Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER).
NET Nov — European Space Agency / JAXA Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) expected to reach Mercury, achieve polar orbit and spacecraft separation; will map planet, investigate magnetosphere.
NET Nov — CNSA CE-7 mission planned to land at Shackleton Crater Ridge near Moon South Pole region to survey environment and resources with Relay Satellite, Orbiter, Lander (Rashid-2 from UAE), Rover, Mini-Flying Probe; lander has national science payloads as well as 6 international instruments integrated: from Egypt, Bahrain, Italy, […]
NET Nov - The 10th edition offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the evolution of the Moon Village concept and set the stage for the future of lunar exploration.
Date and location to be announced.
Venue / exact date for Hainan, China -- TBC (to be confirmed); As the only professional association for astronauts, ASE supports the advancement of space exploration by providing opportunities for communication among space professionals at the international level. The Association has worked closely with other international professional space organizations to expand […]
Today marks another full year of continuous Human occupation of ISS; first component Zarya launched Nov 20, 1998, occupation began Nov 2, 2000.
Change clocks back 1 hour from Daylight Saving to Standard Time; does not include Hawai’i, Arizona (except the Navajo Nation), American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coordinating Division Division C Education, Outreach and Heritage The IAU Symposium on Innovative Research and Techniques in Astronomy Communication will take place from November 2 to 6, 2026, at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Mitaka, Tokyo. The groundbreaking hybrid event will unite experts from astronomy and science communication, […]
ESWW is the main annual event in the European Space Weather and Space Climate calendar. It is an international meeting organised annually within the European Region in collaboration with prominent members of the European space weather and space climate community. It began as a forum for the European Space Weather […]
IAU Symposium: IAUS409 - A Journey Towards Effective Astronomy Communication; online and at National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, 2-21-2 Osawa Mitaka, Tokyo. Topics include: Innovations in Data Visualization Techniques Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Communication Making Astronomy Relevant Communicating Astronomy with Funders and Policymakers
At the National Museum of the Republic, the first SWF Summit in Latin America.
Expecting senior government and executives from NASA, Firefly, Blue Origin to discuss innovation, competitive advantages and a "space industrial revolution in LEO". Capped at 250 participants. At Marriott at the Metro Center.
NASA 12-U CubeSat Capstone acting as a pathfinder for planned International Lunar Gateway surpasses another year around Moon today; launched in 2022.
Major international forum in space hardware environmental testing for research and development and qualification. It provides a unique opportunity for engineers, technicians and scientists from industry, government and academia to present and exchange information and ideas on simulating the space environment to develop and test space mission hardware.
Leading event in Europe for space engineering, innovation, and the end-to-end supply chain.
At the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran. This event represents one of Southeast Asia’s most significant aerospace gatherings, connecting industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and investors from around the world. Consequently, it provides an unmatched platform for showcasing cutting-edge aerospace technologies, exploring market trends, and building strategic partnerships.
Observing gamma-ray bursts & their afterglows in gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, optical wavelengths from LEO, multiwavelength craft surpasses another year of operations in space today, launched in 2004.
Coordinating Division Division J Galaxies and Cosmology
Coordinating Division Division E Sun and Heliosphere
Coordinating Division Division H Interstellar Matter and Local Universe
14:54 UTC (04:54 HST).
GNOSIS promotes, coordinates and develops collaboration across the academic, defence, industrial and political sectors to understand and solve problems relating to the sustainable use of Space.
Oslo Spaceport Norway offers monthly a knowledgeable speaker and opportunity for networking, 17:00-20:00 local time; free entry but registration required. Ground Control is for everyone who's curious about what's happening in space and why it matters. Whether you work in the sector or have never thought about it before — […]
Held every 3 years, targeted to professional astronomers, postdocs, postgraduate and undergraduate students pursuing a research career in Astronomy. As previous editions of this meeting, XVIII LARIM will provide a forum for scientific discussion and will promote new collaborations among Latin American astronomers. At Cancun Center, Boulevard Kukulcan Km. 9, […]
Addition of a display and market area to the annual gathering that culminates in the Space Cowboy Ball charity event accompanies presentations on everything about space, including medicine, architecture and design, art and media, energy, policy and much more, by leaders in the field.
First launch of the Starliner crew vehicle to the International Space Station carrying only cargo for the orbital laboratory; will allow in-flight validation of the system upgrades implemented following the Crew Flight Test mission of 2024.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) Chang'E-5 lander at Statio Tianchuan "ship sailing in the Milky Way", Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum, Moon (43° N, 51.9° W), surpasses another full year on lunar surface today; landed on this day in 2020, with sample return launching from the Moon 2 days later.
SpaceX to launch Starship with Venturi Astrolab FLEX C rover from Starbase, Boca Chica TX. Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX-C) rover to launch to Moon South Pole Region, with commercial payloads including the International Lunar Observatory Association's ILO-1 flagship instrument. ILO-1 will be providing Space Age's Space Calendar with weekly […]
European Space Agency (ESA) / National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) craft studying sun, surpasses another full year of operations in space today, launched 1995; discovered more than 3,000 comets.
Hosted by The Venetian Institute of Sciences, Letters and Arts in association with The Interstellar Research Group, the world’s experts in exoplanet research, advanced space propulsion, power, life support, communications, and more will gather to share their findings and propose innovative solutions to enable our future journeys to planets circling […]
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hayabusa surpasses another full year in space today; launched Dec 3, 2014, returned samples to Earth in 2020, and now in extended mission to flyby asteroid 98943 Torifune in 2026 and rendezvous with 1998 KY26 in 2031.
Research papers are presented in a formal technical meeting atmosphere, and ideas are exchanged and programs discussed. Cash prizes given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place papers in each category. At University of Adelaide Student Branch and online.
The largest gathering of Earth and space scientists, convening 20,000+ attendees from 100+ countries to share research, connect, collaborate, and inspire one another. Session, town hall and scientific workshops. At Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street. Save the date for future Annual Meetings: December 13-17, 2027 | Washington, D.C. December […]
Oslo Spaceport Norway offers monthly a knowledgeable speaker and opportunity for networking, 17:00-20:00 local time; free entry but registration required. Ground Control is for everyone who's curious about what's happening in space and why it matters. Whether you work in the sector or have never thought about it before — […]
European Space Agency (ESA) craft in Very Eccentric Elliptical LEO studying X-ray emissions, star-forming regions, galaxy clusters, environment of supermassive black holes, mapping dark matter, surpasses next full year in space today, launched 1999.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) spacecraft at Guang Han Gong "Moon Palace", Sinus Iridum / Mare Imbrium, 44.12°N 19.51°W, surpasses another full year on Moon surface, landed 2013.
NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer spacecraft (redubbed Near-Earth Object WISE – NEOWISE) surpasses another full year in space today; launched 2009, went into hibernation February 17, 2011 and reactivated August 21, 2013.
Surpassing 4th full year / entering 5th year in lunar orbit, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) first lunar spacecraft Danuri launched in Aug 2022 and reached Moon in Dec 2022.
Global Experts Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities continues discussions on ongoing workstreams and priorities related to the sustainable exploration and use of the Moon, with focus on expert dialogue, coordination, and long-term strategic planning for responsible lunar activities.
ESA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today; now in extended mission phase working to map more than 1 billion stars; launched in 2013.
10:49 HST (00:49 UTC); the Sun reaches the point where it is farthest South of the celestial equator, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year (opposite in Southern Hemisphere).
25:29 HST // 01:29 UTC on Dec 24.
ESA spacecraft surpasses next full year in Mars orbit today; will continue to study Mars atmosphere & climate, planet structure, mineralogy, geology, and to search for traces of water; launched June 2, 2003 and arrived at Mars in Dec 2003.
NASA (STSci) / ESA / CSA-ASC infrared astronomy telescope surpasses next full year in space since launching on this day via Ariane 5 ECA rocket in 2021.
Independent mission to Venus developed by Rocket Lab and MIT, NZSA Venus Mission is a small direct Venus entry probe with a single 1 kg low-mass, low-cost autofluorescing nephelometer riding on a satellite bus based on the Photon Upper stage of the Electron rocket. The probe mission will spend approximately 5 […]
NET Q1 2027 — First commercial space station, built by Vast Space, planned for insertion into LEO.
ESA plans to launch Ariane 6-2 with PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) spacecraft with array of 26 cameras to Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange Point to look for signs of planets in habitable zones of stars.
SpaceX to launch Falcon 9 with APEX 1.0 Lunar Lander Mission 1. Lunar lander built by ispace, Draper (mission lead) and Karman Space & Defense under $73M NASA CLPS to land near Schrödinger Basin, Moon South Pole region with NASA payloads (two seismometers, a drill, a probe, a magnetic sounder, LuSEE-Light […]
NET 2027 — CNSA to launch Long March 5 with Xuntian space telescope from Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan Island, China (19° N), China: Launch of Xuntian (Space Sentinel / Chinese Space Station Telescope ‘Touring the Heavens’) to LEO; will co-orbit with Tiangong Space Station, allowing it to dock periodically; 2-meter […]
NET 2027 — Roscosmos State Corporation, Launch Luna-26, Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia: Roscosmos hopes to launch the Luna-Resurs O (Luna-Resurs Orbiter) to Moon polar orbit with 14 instruments for 1 year at 60-80 km altitude for lunar mapping.
NET 2027 — ISRO to launch its Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) with Chandrayaan-4 lunar lander from Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India: Planned launch of Chandrayaan-4 mission for Moon landing and sample return up to 3 kg (6.6 lb) from near Statio Shiv Shakti.
First crewed test flight to an orbit of 400 km of the Gaganyaan programme, with launch planned for NET Q1 2027.
Spacecraft reach 8 full years / enter 9th year on Moon far side, landed 2019 -the first farside landing ever.
At Salt Palace Convention Center.
AIAA SciTech Forum—the premier aerospace R&D event of the year exploring the science, technologies, and capabilities that are transforming aerospace. Expecting 6,000+ attendees from 46+ countries. At Hyatt Regency Orlando.
Third annual observation of JAXA lunar landing Moon near side equatorial region in 2024 and Japan becoming 5th country to successfully land on Moon.
Increasing space awareness and education, remembrances and events honor three Apollo 1 crew members lost in 1967 during a launch pad test: Command Pilot Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee.
Educational and ceremonial events held worldwide to advance space technology / education and honor 7 crew members killed in Shuttle accident 28 January 1986: Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Astronaut Christa McAuliffe (the 1st ‘Teacher in Space’), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and […]
American Artemis Return to the Moon For Good is underway, Mars attention and planning advancing, Outer Solar System search for life ongoing, and Interstellar craft on outgoing trajectories while first USA satellite launch on this day in 1958 ‘Explorer 1’ is celebrated and remembered.
Annual international conferences and events take place to further space exploration efforts in remembrance of Columbia 7 loss in 2003: Commander Richard D. Husband, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon (the ‘1st Israeli astronaut’) and Astronauts: William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown and Kalpana Chawla […]
Lunar New Year 2027 Spring Festival marks the Year of the Goat.
UAE Hope Orbiter, studying Mars atmosphere and climate, reaches 6 full years in Mars orbit today; launched July 19, 2020 on JAXA H2A rocket, arrived at Mars on this day 2021.
China Tianwen-1 orbiter reaches 6 full years of operations in Mars orbit; Lander & Rover touched down ~3 months after this date at Utopia Planitia 25.1°N, 109.9°E; launched July 2020, reached orbit 2021.
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover reaches 5 full years on Mars surface having landed in Jezero Crater on this day in 2021; it carried Ingenuity helicopter – the first craft to successfully complete powered flights off-Earth.
Third annual observation of 1st successful commercial lunar landing on Moon by Intuitive Machines and its IM-1 Nova-C Lander "Odysseus". This mission also marks the USA first return to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. IM-1 lander carried 6 NASA and 6 independent payloads to surface, landing near Malapert […]
Highlighting Galaxy awareness by celebrating the Solar System traveling around Milky Way Galaxy Center every ~225 million Earth years, one Galactic Tick happens every 633.7 days; first Tick Day was one Tick after October 2nd, 1608 when the first telescope patent was filed.
Crew of 4 to Low Earth Orbit to test docking of Orion craft with separately launched prototype lunar landing systems from SpaceX and / or Blue Origin. Astronauts will then transfer over to the lander(s) to check life-support systems. Possible testing also of Axiom lunar spacesuits including EVA.
With theme "Turning Conjunctions Into Coordination". Abstracts of up to 500 words will be accepted and must include the precise title of the paper, the topic area of interest, the author’s full name and affiliation, and complete contact information including an email address. The language of the conference is English. […]
LPSC is a defining event in planetary research, bringing together a diverse group of international experts in a truly collaborative environment, both online and in-person. The conference location will be announced at a later date. For 58 years, LPSC has been convening the lunar and planetary science community to showcase […]
17 Disciplines addressed include Space Access and Space Systems.
Recognized proclamation to celebrate the first-ever imaged black hole M87* by Event Horizon Telescope collaboration involving Mauna Kea Observatories, given the Hawaiian name Pōwehi; imaged in April 2017 and released Apr 10, 2019.
Celebrating Yuri Gagarin, the 1st human to orbit Earth on Vostok 1 spacecraft in 1961; the flight lasted 108 minutes at 27,400 kph and 327 km above Earth.
Launching parties around the world every year on or around April 12th, in commemoration of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to venture into space on April 12, 1961, and the inaugural launch of the first Space Shuttle on April 12, 1981. We use space to bring the world together, […]
Theme: TBA. Expecting 10,000+ registrants, 240+ exhibitors, 24 space agencies, 1500+ organizations. Access to specific Track Programming ONLY available at less than full-conference fee.
Space telescope for NASA Explorers program, reaches 9th full year in space today, designed to search for exoplanets using the transit method in an area 400 times larger than that covered by Kepler / K2 mission; launched April 18, 2018.
China Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission planned to depart Kamo’oalewa (2016 HO3) today and return to Earth with least 100 grams of sample, to enter Earth atmosphere on Nov 29, 2027.
Commemorating the launch of China’s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1 on April 24, 1970.
NASA spacecraft with 2.4-meter diameter main telescope begins 38th year in space today, launched Apr 24, 1990; could continue operations until 2040s.
First Friday in May, events and presentations to promote STEM education and inspire people to continue the work of Space explorers; originally began as ‘National Space Day’ in 1997 by Lockheed Martin Corp.
KEY THEMES ARE: Advancing human spaceflight and microgravity research, Enabling sustainable cislunar and lunar exploration, Defining the Moon-to-Mars pathway and beyond, Shaping space policy and law to enable long-term activity, Finance and innovation across the space economy, New horizons in space infrastructure and services, Cross-cutting technologies, Developing the next generation […]
China Queqiao “bridge of magpies” satellite reaches 9 full years in space today, launched 2018 to provide far side communications to Earth from Chang'E-4 lander / rover.
Launch Falcon Heavy / Astrobotic Griffin Lander Mission 2: Astrobotic Griffin planned to carry satellites to cislunar space and take commercial payloads to landing near Moon South Pole.
Today marks 5th full year / starts 6th year of continuous Human occupation of TSS; Shenzhou 14 three-member crew launched on this day in 2022, beginning occupation.
New Year 1 Muharram (1st day) to begin at sunset on Jun 6; if young New Moon is not visible the beginning of the month and year may be delayed.
The only aviation event that covers the entire integrated spectrum of aviation business, research, development and technology. At Manchester Grand Hyatt.
NASA, Cal-tech high-energy astrophysics satellite surpasses another year in space, having launched on this day in 2012.
For over a century, the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget has been a prime meeting place for the global aerospace industry.
NASA spacecraft reaches 18 full years in Moon orbit today; launched Jun 18, 2009, arrived at Moon 5 days later.
NASA ARTEMIS P1 craft surpasses another year in lunar orbit since 2011; it was 1 of 5 satellites launched 2007 to study Earth magnetosphere.
UN-Sanctioned annual, global asteroid awareness program supporting thousands of independently organized events, providing educational resources; held on June 30, the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst levelled about 2,150 km² of forest in Siberia, Russia.
NASA ARTEMIS P2 craft surpasses another full year in lunar orbit since 2011; 1 of 5 satellites launched 2007 to study Earth magnetosphere
Celebrating the 1st people walking on the Moon / another celestial body – International Moon Day has been a recognized / endorsed declaration by the United Nations since 2022.
First USA spacecraft to successfully land on another planet commemorated today for its accomplishment 51 years ago; originally scheduled for July 4, landing was delayed until this day in 1976 due to rough landing site.
First Human mission to land on Moon in 1969; 1st steps by humans on another World taken by Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin; Command Module piloted by Michael Collins.
NASA spacecraft in extended mission phase reaches 28th full year of operations in space; instruments able to detect X-ray sources 100 times fainter than any previous X-ray telescope; launched 1999.
International Astronomical Union will post a dedicated website "soon". The General Assembly is held every 3 years for astronomers worldwide and includes scientific sessions and administrative business.
NASA craft surpasses another full year in space today, having launched Aug 12, 2018; probe came within ~6.16M km of the Sun on Dec 24, 2024 which is ~7 times closer than any prior spacecraft, traveling faster than any other human-made object at ~692,000 km/hr.
NASA mission to encounter 11 asteroids including a main belt and 7 Jupiter Trojans to come within 1,000 km of 64-km diameter 3548 Eurybates asteroid and its 1-km diameter satellite Queta.
Annual Small Satellite Conference spotlights technologies driving constellation success.
India orbiter surpasses another full year in lunar polar orbit since reaching the Moon in 2019; Chandrayaan-2 lander and rover were unsuccessful in lunar landing.
Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander and Pragyan rover celebrated today after successfully landing on Moon in 2023; marking India as the 4th country to land on Moon, and 1st near the Moon South Pole.
NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2012; adding to the understanding of Earth radiation belt environment and its variability.
NET Sep — NASA's Near-Earth Object Surveyor space telescope (NEO Surveyor), to help advance planetary defense efforts to discover and characterize most of the potentially hazardous asteroids and comets that come within 30 million miles of Earth’s orbit, planned to be launched this month.
Japan's X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), studying galactic plasma, surpasses another full year in space today at ~550-km LEO, having launched 2023.
NASA mission to encounter 11 asteroids including a main belt and 7 Jupiter Trojans to come within 415 km of 21-km diameter 15094 Polymele asteroid which may be a collisional fragment and rich in organic tholin compounds.
At Rhode Island Convention Center.
NASA Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft surpasses another full year of operations in Mars orbit after insertion on this day 2014; continuing to study upper atmosphere.
Observed today is 1st planetary defense / asteroid deflection test success: NASA DART crashed into minor-planet moon Dimorphos of asteroid Didymos on this day in 2022, shortening Dimorphos’ orbital period.
Expects ~10,000 participants for event themed One Space. Shared Future. Co-events include Space Generation Congress, September 23-25; UN / IAF Workshop, September 24-26; IAA Academy Day and International Meeting for Ministers & Members of Parliaments, both September 26; IAF General Assembly and Bureau Meeting, both October 1. Poland hosts the […]
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2015.
NET Oct — Under US$116.9M NASA CLPS award, Intuitive Machines 4th mission to deliver 6 NASA payloads totaling ~79 kg, including carry ESA Lunar ice drill ProSEED / PROSPECT sensor array, magnetometer, radiometer to investigate surface composition, instrument to measure how lander affects regolith, retroreflectors as location marker, a yeast experiment; payload capacity for commercial […]
Nationwide celebrations and educational events occur to observe NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) first business day as newly-formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on this day in 1958.
NET Oct 2027 — Second lunar lander from Blue Origin to launch to Moon South Pole region with payloads including NASA Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER).
Celebrating international contributions of space science for betterment of the human condition; Oct 4 is 68th observation of 1st Space mission Sputnik One launched by Soviet Union 1957; Oct 10 is 58th observation of Outer Space Treaty going into effect 1967.
First solar observatory for China known as CHASE or Xihe / 羲和 surpasses another full year in space since launching on this day via Long March 2D in 2021.
NASA craft reaches 6 full years in Space, about mid-way through planned 12-year mission to encounter 11 different asteroids.
Detecting some of the most energetic radiation in space, ESA, NASA, Roscosmos spacecraft surpasses another year of operations in space, despite loss of its thrusters; launched 2002, expected to run out of fuel early 2020s and fall to Earth Feb 2029.
European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos spacecraft surpasses another full year at Mars, launched 2016; craft continues collecting data on atmosphere, deployed Schiaparelli demonstration lander 19 Oct 2016 (unsuccessful).
NASA spacecraft mapping boundary between the Solar System and interstellar space surpasses another full year in space; launched on this day 2008.
European Space Agency / JAXA Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (dubbed Mio ‘waterway or fairway’) surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2018; expected to reach Mercury polar orbit in Nov 2026 to map planet, investigate magnetosphere.
NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in orbit around Mars today, holds record for longest-surviving continually active spacecraft in orbit around a planet other than Earth; launched 2001.
NASA craft imaging Sun and solar phenomena surpasses another full year in space today; launched 2006.
Today marks another full year of continuous Human occupation of ISS; first component Zarya launched Nov 20, 1998, occupation began Nov 2, 2000.
NASA 12-U CubeSat Capstone acting as a pathfinder for planned International Lunar Gateway surpasses another year around Moon today; launched in 2022.
Observing gamma-ray bursts & their afterglows in gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, optical wavelengths from LEO, multiwavelength craft surpasses another year of operations in space today, launched in 2004.
China asteroid sample return capsule planned to return to Earth today with at least 100 grams from Kamo’oalewa (2016 HO3); main Tianwen-2 craft is on trajectory to Main Asteroid Belt to rendezvous with comet 311/P PanSTARRS in 2035.
☆ NET Dec — JAXA Hayabusa 2 mission to perform first flyby Earth today on way to rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26 in 2031, after returning samples from (162173) Ryugu to Earth in 2020 and flying by asteroid 98943 Torifune in 2026.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) Chang'E-5 lander at Statio Tianchuan "ship sailing in the Milky Way", Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum, Moon (43° N, 51.9° W), surpasses another full year on lunar surface today; landed on this day in 2020, with sample return launching from the Moon 2 days later.
Second crewed test flight to LEO of the Gaganyaan programme, with launch planned for NET late 2027.
European Space Agency (ESA) / National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) craft studying sun, surpasses another full year of operations in space today, launched 1995; discovered more than 3,000 comets.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hayabusa surpasses another full year in space today; launched Dec 3, 2014, returned samples to Earth in 2020, and now in extended mission to flyby asteroid 98943 Torifune in 2026 and rendezvous with 1998 KY26 in 2031.
European Space Agency (ESA) craft in Very Eccentric Elliptical LEO studying X-ray emissions, star-forming regions, galaxy clusters, environment of supermassive black holes, mapping dark matter, surpasses next full year in space today, launched 1999.
Save the date for future Annual Meetings: December 13-17, 2027 | Washington, D.C. December 11-15, 2028 | San Diego
NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer spacecraft (redubbed Near-Earth Object WISE – NEOWISE) surpasses another full year in space today; launched 2009, went into hibernation February 17, 2011 and reactivated August 21, 2013.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) spacecraft at Guang Han Gong "Moon Palace", Sinus Iridum / Mare Imbrium, 44.12°N 19.51°W, surpasses another full year on Moon surface, landed 2013.
Surpassing 5th full year / entering 6th year in lunar orbit, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) first lunar spacecraft Danuri launched in Aug 2022 and reached Moon in Dec 2022.
ESA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today; now in extended mission phase working to map more than 1 billion stars; launched in 2013.
ESA spacecraft surpasses next full year in Mars orbit today; will continue to study Mars atmosphere & climate, planet structure, mineralogy, geology, and to search for traces of water; launched June 2, 2003 and arrived at Mars in Dec 2003.
NASA (STSci) / ESA / CSA infrared astronomy telescope surpasses next full year in space since launching on this day via Ariane 5 ECA rocket in 2021.
NET 2028 — Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 3 to launch (on vehicle TBD), under $179.6M NASA CLPS award, to take 6 payloads to Gruithuisen Domes, 36.3° N, 319.8° E, for radio-wave observations, neutron measurements, photovoltaic investigation, regolith sampling, Heimdall camera imaging, Lunar-VISE exploration.
NET 2028 — China expects to launch Tianwen-3 Mars Sample Return Mission to Mars by this date, to deliver samples to Earth by 2031; focus is on astrobiology.
NET 2028 — Standard funding of International Space Station may end this year from partner Russia; mission extension to at least 2030 from other partners is expected; future goals and scientific, engineering, utilization, education potential to be determined.
NET 2028 — Planned launch of first module for India's space station Bharatiya Antariksh Station, BAS-1, using LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3).
NET 2028 — Roscosmos planning to launch Angara A5 with Luna-27 (Luna-Resurs 1) lander to Moon South Pole to target frozen volatiles in sub surface.
NET 2028 — Tentative date for China's first crewed lunar flyby using super-heavy lift Long March 10 rocket and crew spacecraft Mengzhou, while continuing to develop the crewed lander Lanyue that will rendezvous in lunar orbit.
SpaceX to launch Starship with Venturi Astrolab FLEX LTV from Starbase, Boca Chica TX. Under NASA Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) Services contract, and carrying commercial payloads, Astrolab (working with Axiom Space and Odyssey Space Research) full-scale Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover, with payload capacity up to 1,500 kg, aiming […]