Space Calendar

Nominations Due: AIAA Honors & Awards
2026-06-01 | Online
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.

Abstracts Due: 4th Space Renaissance International (SRI) World Congress
2026-05-31 | Online
Held online every 5 years, this year June 30-July 4; broad categories included science / engineering, art / media, philosophy / policy.

Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-47
2026-05-31 | SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USA
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.

Blue Moon
2026-05-30 | Moon Orbit
22:46 HST on May 30 | 08:46 UTC on May 31.

Launch Atlas V 551 / Amazon Leo (LA-07)
2026-05-29 | SLC-41 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
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.

Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-53
2026-05-29 | SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
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.

Lunar Surface Science Workshop - 2026 Artemis Update
2026-05-28 | Online
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 to support upcoming Artemis missions. View the agenda →
Please note that registration is required to participate in this workshop →
https://sservi.nasa.gov/lssw/2026-artemis-update/

Lunar Surface Power Transmission Workshop
2026-05-28 | Online / Washington DC, USA
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

Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-41
2026-05-28 | SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USA
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.

3rd SPEXA Space Business Expo
2026-05-27 - 2026-05-29 | Tokyo, Japan
“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). It is Japan’s largest convention center. No cost to attend, just to exhibit, but registration is required.

Webinar: Securing a Cislunar Future: Markets, Minerals, and Momentum
2026-05-27 | Online
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, Working Group Writer and Manager, Beyond Earth Institute.
The Beyond Earth Institute Leadership Council convenes industry leaders, policy experts, innovators, and researchers to tackle critical questions shaping the future of space development.
The 2025-2026 papers include:
• Blueprints for Off-World Living: Scaling Human Settlements in Space
• Securing a Cislunar Future: Markets, Minerals, and Momentum
• The Future of Commercial Space Stations: Key Issues in Commercial LEO Development and Policy Recommendations
• On To Mars: A Readiness Assessment for Mars Exploration and Settlement
Download the reports from this page.

32nd AIAA / CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference 2026
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-29 | Brussels, Belgium
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 of aeroacoustics. It provides researchers and engineers from academia, industry, and government a unique opportunity to share recent findings and explore future research directions. Contributions are invited on all aspects of noise generation, propagation, and control for aerospace vehicles, novel airborne systems as well as other industrial applications such as wind energy. The conference will take place from 26 to 29 May 2026 on the campus of the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB), located at Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

2026 SmallSat Europe: Decoding Europe's Smallsat Ascent
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-28 | Amsterdam, Netherlands
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.

Applications Due: Orbital Edge Accelerator Funding
2026-05-26 | Online
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 Region, Inc., Draper Associates, Draper University, E2MC, and Stellar Ventures, the program offers two tailored tracks:
• Sentinel for early-stage dual-use space technologies
• Disrupt for pre-seed and seed startups advancing space biotech and in-space manufacturing
Visit the Orbital Edge Accelerator website and submit your application by May 26, 2026.

NASA News Conference on Moon Base Plans
2026-05-26 | Online / Washington DC, USA
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 be available for one-on-one interviews after the news conference ends.
Watch live on NASA+ and the agency’s YouTube channel. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of online platforms, including social media.
Participants include:

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
Carlos García-Galán, program executive, Moon Base

Media unable to attend in person may ask questions by telephone. To participate in person or by phone, media must RSVP to the headquarters newsroom no later than 11 a.m. on May 26, at: hq-media@mail.nasa.gov. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online.
NASA is advancing development of Moon Base, a long-term lunar exploration and infrastructure initiative designed to enable sustained human presence and expanded scientific and commercial activity at the lunar South Pole.
As part of the Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.
For more information about NASA’s missions, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov

Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP Conference 2026)
2026-05-25 - 2026-05-29 | Yerevan, Armenia
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 are available. Many posters have been accepted.

Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-47
2026-05-25 | SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
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.

NET May 24 - Launch Long March 2F / Shenzhou 23 Crew
2026-05-24 | Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, China
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 Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-37
2026-05-23 | SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USA
Another batch of 24 satellites to launch as part of the Starlink space-based Internet communication mega-constellation.

Launch Starship 12 — V3 / Ship 39
2026-05-22 | Starbase, 25.9°N, Boca Chica TX, USA
Launch window open 17:30-19:00 CDT | 12:30-14:00 HST | 22:30 UTC for 12th flight overall of 2-stage Starship vehicle and 1st of bigger / more-powerful Version 3 / V3, with higher thrust utilizing new Raptor 3 engines. Launch date subject to final final vehicle testing, site readiness (including the new Pad 2 tower and launch mount), and regulatory approval.
Vehicle testing includes static fire with all 33 Raptor engines, 10 of which were static-fire tested March 16, first-ever static fire of a V3.
V3 is 124.4 meters tall and can take 200,000 kg to LEO compared with 70,000 kg that V2 could.
V3 needs to successfully reach Earth orbit and demonstrate orbital fueling before it can journey to the Moon.

Launch Electron / Viva La Strix (StriX Launch 9)
2026-05-22 | Launch Complex 1, ~39°S, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Launch set for 21:30 New Zealand Daylight Time | HST 23:30 May 21 for Earth-imaging synthetic aperture radar satellite built by Synspective of Japan.

Launch Atlas V551 / Amazon Leo (LA-07)
2026-05-22 | SLC-41 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
29 satellites for broadband internet going to LEO on this launch, part of planned 7,000+ to be in 98 orbital planes in three altitudes, 590 / 610 / 630 kilometers.
Atlas V rocket first stage uses RD-180 engine built by Russia that burns kerosene / liquid oxygen, and RL10 engine built in USA for 2nd stage that burns liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen.

Abstracts Due for AIAA SciTech Forum
2026-05-21 | Online
To be held Jan 11-15 2027 in Orlando FL, USA, expecting 6,000+ attendees from 46+ countries. Presentations and papers can be an effective way to hone scientific and technical ideas, introduce your work to aerospace colleagues, and refine your research questions. Present at AIAA SciTech Forum to gain expert feedback and elevate your professional profile. The Call for Content is now open. Submit your abstract or session proposal.

NET May 21 — Launch GSLV Mk II / GISAT-1A (EOS-05)
2026-05-21 | Satish Dhawan Space Center, ~14°N, Sriharikota, India
Launch window 08:45-12:45 India Time | HST 17:15-21:15 May 20 for Earth-observing satellite to geostationary orbit above India. Expected to be 5th successful launch of GSLV Mk II.

8th Anniversary of Chang’E-4 Queqiao Relay Satellite Launch
2026-05-21 | Earth-Moon L2 Lagrange point
China Queqiao “bridge of magpies” satellite reaches 8 full years in space today, launched 2018 to provide far side communications to Earth from Chang’E-4 lander / rover.

CYSAT
2026-05-20 - 2026-05-21 | Paris, France
Annual international conference dedicated to cybersecurity for space and satellite systems, bringing together satellite operators, space agencies, manufacturers, cybersecurity experts, and policymakers to discuss threats, regulations, and best practices for securing space infrastructures. Expecting 1,000+ attendees this year with 80+ speakers and 60+ exhibitors. The event focuses on practical, operational cybersecurity challenges across the satellite lifecycle, with conferences, panels, technical workshops, at Station F, 5 Parv. Alan Turing 75013.

2026 ASCEND Conference: Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration and New Discovery
2026-05-19 - 2026-05-21 | Washington DC, USA
Commercial Space Policy Summit runs concurrently with ASCEND visionary sessions, inspiring speakers, and a community spirit that welcomes everyone who loves space. Emphasis on 5 space areas: economy, law, exploration, technology, security. At the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW.
This year’s Policy and Law programming is more relevant than ever and includes a session on Legal and Policy Frameworks for Lunar Nuclear Power.
It is recommended that AIAA attendees follow the suggested channels for booking accommodation within the conference block by following the instructions at https://www.ascend.events/attend/hotel-travel/
If you receive solicitations from other companies, please forward them to AIAA.

Launch Solid-Fuel SLV (Space Launch Vehicle) / Test Flight
2026-05-19 | Offshore Launch Platform near Jeju Island, South Korea
South Korea’s solid‑fuel space launch vehicle, commonly abbreviated GYŪB (Korean: Goche Yeonlyo Uju Balsache or 고체연료 우주발사체), is an orbital booster developed by the state-run Agency for Defense Development (ADD). It is based on solid propellant stages, with a liquid-fuel post‑boost stage (PBS), designed to deploy small satellites—particularly synthetic aperture radar (SAR) reconnaissance payloads—into low Earth orbit as part of the country’s independent space-based surveillance capability.

Talk: Telescopes on the Moon, the Future of Astronomy
2026-05-19 | Online
Prof. Joe Silk to discuss the Moon as the next great frontier for astronomy. Terrestrial telescopes are facing a crisis as our night skies become increasingly crowded and bright. The solution? Looking upward—and staying there.
Join IAU Commission C2 (Communicating Astronomy with the Public) on 19 May 2026 for a fascinating talk by the world-renowned Prof. Joseph Silk (Johns Hopkins / Oxford / CNRS). We won’t just be talking about lunar missions; we’ll be exploring how the Moon’s surface offers a unique sanctuary for the future of science.From the radio-quiet “Far Side” probing the Dark Ages of the universe to optical interferometers searching for biological tracers on Earth-like exoplanets, the Moon is about to become our most important laboratory.Key Highlights:The Dark Ages: Probing the universe 50 million years after the Big Bang.Gravitational Waves: Capturing the history of merging massive black holes.Are We Alone? Using ultrahigh resolution to image nearby exoplanets.

Launch Vega-C / Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
2026-05-19 | Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, ~5°N, French Guiana
Set for 00:52 French Guiana Time UTC-3 | 17:52 HST May 18 to send astrophysics satellite to elliptical orbit. Joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.
