At The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas and virtually, LPSC is the premier international conference for lunar and planetary science, bringing together scientists, researchers, students, and educators to advance our understanding of the solar system and shape planetary exploration. For 58 years, LPSC has […]
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.
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, […]
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.
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 […]
Global researchers, scientists, academicians, industry experts, and policymakers are invited to join the Global Summit on Advances in Astrophysics, Gravitation and Cosmology (ASTROPHYSICS2027), scheduled to be held from May 19-20, 2027 in Florence, Italy. This prestigious summit will bring together leading experts and emerging researchers to explore the latest discoveries, challenges, and innovations […]
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.
Firefly Aerospace second lunar lander mission under $112M NASA CLPS to land on lunar far side with NASA payloads (RadPC, LuSEE-Night telescope, JPL User Terminal (UT), Australia’s Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery, Exploration, and Research (SPIDER) by Fleet Space Technologies) and commercial payloads; will deploy to lunar orbit ESA Lunar […]
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.
Estimated date if launch is Q1 2027 - 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 […]
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 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.
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.
NASA spacecraft in extended mission phase reaches 28th full year of operations; 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 […]
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).
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik 1 mission which became the first artificial Earth satellite and launched humankind into the Space Age. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October. Size and Weight: Orbit Time: Mission: End of Life: It […]
Celebrating international contributions of space science for betterment of the human condition; Oct 4 is 70th observation of 1st Space mission Sputnik One launched by Soviet Union 1957; Oct 10 is 60th observation of Outer Space Treaty going into effect 1967.
On October 10, 1967 the Outer Space Treaty went into effect - establishing the foundational legal framework for international space law and peaceful exploration. Key Rules of the Treaty: No Weapons of Mass Destruction Peaceful Use Only No Territorial Claims Global Benefit: Declares that space exploration should be carried out […]
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.
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.
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 (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).
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 — 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 — Planned launch of first module for India's space station Bharatiya Antariksh Station, BAS-1, using LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3).
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.
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 […]
AIAA SciTech Forum—the premier aerospace R&D event of the year exploring the science, technologies, and capabilities that are transforming aerospace.
Lunar New Year 2028 Spring Festival marks the Year of the Monkey.
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 […]
China Tianwen-1 orbiter reaches 7 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.
Fourth 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 […]
Artemis IV is planned as the first crewed Moon landing since Apollo 17. Two astronauts will use a Human Landing System (HLS), either SpaceX's Starship HLS or Blue Origin's Blue Moo, to descend to the lunar surface while the other two remain in orbit.
NET March - The MBR Explorer by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency's (UAESA) is a $1 billion, 13-year mission to explore six main-belt asteroids and deploy a lander on a seventh, 269 Justitia, in 2034; launch vehicle / location TBA.
India planning to launch its first mission, Shukrayaan-1, to Venus to study the surface and atmosphere of Venus; planned to enter Venusian orbit 19 July 2028.
NET Apr — European Space Agency / JAXA Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (BepiColombo) nominal mission ends this month, 5.82 Mercury years after orbit insertion; potential extended mission and plans TBD.
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.
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, […]
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.
NASA's Lucy mission, to encounter 11 asteroids including a main belt and 7 Jupiter Trojans, planned to come within 1,000 km of 34-km diameter 11351 Leucus asteroid today.
NASA spacecraft with 2.4-meter diameter main telescope launched Apr 24, 1990; could continue operations until 2040s.
Commemorating the launch of China’s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1 on April 24, 1970.
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.
☆ NET Jun — JAXA Hayabusa 2 mission to perform second 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.
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.
Today marks 6th full year / starts 7th year of continuous Human occupation of TSS; Shenzhou 14 three-member crew launched on this day in 2022, beginning occupation.
The only aviation event that covers the entire integrated spectrum of aviation business, research, development and technology. At Manchester Grand Hyatt.
At Monona Terrace.
NASA spacecraft reaches 19 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.
Planned launch of Chandrayaan-5 joint ISRO and JAXA mission to explore permanently shadowed regions near Moon South Pole, landing on elevated ridge of Shackleton Crater ~89.45°S, 222.85°E.
NET Q3 2028 — Chang'E-8 planned to land at Moon South Pole with 10 international projects to conduct in-situ resource utilization experiments; mission includes lander, Pakistan SUPARCO rover, robots for supporting international lunar base buildout.
NASA ARTEMIS P2 craft surpasses another full year in lunar orbit since 2011; 1 of 5 satellites launched 2007 to study Earth magnetosphere
First USA spacecraft to successfully land on another planet commemorated today for its accomplishment 52 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.
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.
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.
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.
NASA's Artemis 5th flight (4th crewed mission) is planned to send touchdown on the Moon's surface.
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 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.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2015.
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik 1 mission which became the first artificial Earth satellite and launched humankind into the Space Age. It was launched into an elliptical low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on 4 October. Size and Weight: Orbit Time: Mission: End of Life: It […]
Celebrating international contributions of space science for betterment of the human condition; Oct 4 is 71st observation of 1st Space mission Sputnik One launched by Soviet Union 1957; Oct 10 is 61st observation of Outer Space Treaty going into effect 1967.
On October 10, 1967 the Outer Space Treaty went into effect - establishing the foundational legal framework for international space law and peaceful exploration. Key Rules of the Treaty: No Weapons of Mass Destruction Peaceful Use Only No Territorial Claims Global Benefit: Declares that space exploration should be carried out […]
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, instruments were officially powered down in February 2025, and planned reentry into Earth's atmosphere expected Feb 2029.
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 (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).
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 Lucy mission, to encounter 11 asteroids including a main belt and 7 Jupiter Trojans, to come within 1,000 km of 51-km diameter 21900 Orus asteroid (which may be a possible binary) today.
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.
☆ Nov 24 — 242nd Galactic Tick Day, Milky Way Galaxy: 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 […]
Mars launch window is open December 2028 into early 2029. Rosalind Franklin Rover will launch to search for life on Mars, NASA announced on 4.16.26. The Rosalind Franklin is part of Europe's ExoMars exploration program, which was established about 15 years ago with NASA as a key partner. NASA-ESA partnership […]
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 11-15, 2028 | San Diego
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.
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-ASC infrared astronomy telescope surpasses next full year in space since launching on this day via Ariane 5 ECA rocket in 2021.
NET 2029 — Tentative date for China's crewed spaceflight program to have first of its multiple human Moon missions to the Moon South Pole region using 2 launches, one for crew spacecraft Mengzhou and one for lander Lanyue that will rendezvous in lunar orbit; developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle […]
NET 2029 — China planning to launch its first probe to Jupiter this year with the Tianwen-3.