Space Calendar

Innovators Symposium & Gala
2026-08-13 - 2026-08-15 | Houston TX, USA
Includes presentation of the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence, activities for the new class of Astronaut Scholars, 2-day Technical Conference where Scholars present their research, Professional Expo, and Innovators Reception, Gala & After-Party. At Omni Houston Hotel, 4 Riverway.

Total Solar Eclipse
2026-08-12 | Global / Inter-Global
A total solar eclipse with a magnitude of 1.0386 (greatest eclipse 17:47:06 UTC) will be visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain and a small corner of Portugal.
Viewers in other places in the Northern Hemisphere also will have the chance to experience a partial solar eclipse, including parts of the U.S. (from Alaska to North Carolina), most of Canada, much of Europe, and northwestern Africa.

NASA Live Coverage of Solar Eclipse
2026-08-12 | Online
NASA will stream the eclipse live with views across the path and interviews with subject matter experts through a variety of platforms.
During the eclipse, NASA will conduct experiments in the path of totality. To investigate the dynamics of the Sun’s corona, a NASA-funded science team will chase the Moon’s shadow with a WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft. The NASA-supported Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project is sending students from several U.S. universities to Iceland and Spain to launch scientific balloons before, during, and after the eclipse to research how the temporary darkening of our skies during the eclipse affects Earth’s atmosphere.
NASA’s eclipse coverage is as follows (all times Eastern):
Wednesday, Aug. 12

1:15 p.m.: Eclipse broadcast begins
1:45 p.m.: Totality begins in Iceland
2:28 p.m.: Totality begins in Spain

NASA photography coverage
Photos of the eclipse, dependent on visibility, will be available shortly after the eclipse. View images on the agency’s Flickr account.

8 Years in Space: Parker Solar Probe
2026-08-12 | Heliocentric Orbit
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.

Virgin Galactic 2nd Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Conference Call
2026-08-12 | Online
Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) will hold a conference call 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).
A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investors.virgingalactic.com.

Workshop: Modern SEM Techniques for Planetary Samples
2026-08-11 - 2026-08-13 | Houston TX, USA
Participants will receive theoretical and hands-on training in electron imaging and X-ray spectroscopy for application to planetary samples. This training opportunity is targeted at approximately 5 participants and will focus on increasing the availability of these skills for planetary research.
Electron microbeam imaging and analysis are now standard and crucial techniques in geologic and planetary sample science. Thanks to affordable desktop SEMs, which can now be found in numerous labs, these techniques are becoming available to more users. The LPI will offer a training workshop in basic theory and hands-on use of SEM techniques using its Phenom XL desktop SEM. This training will be aimed at novice and intermediate SEM users, with the goal of increasing their ability to work independently on planetary samples and pass acquired skills on to others at their institutions.

2026 Southern Space Conference
2026-08-11 - 2026-08-12 | Canberra, Australia
“Leading Australia’s Space Future for Our Strategic Advantage”. Southern Space 2026 brings together decision-makers who set the direction for Australia’s space sector. It is a high‑impact forum for serious policy, capability and investment discussions across civil and defence space.

Launch Zhuque-3 / Flight 2
2026-08-11 | Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, China
The second test launch of LandSpace’s ZQ-3 rocket with undisclosed test payloads. Zhuque-3 first stage booster will attempt to land on its downrange landing pad.

International Space Summit Africa
2026-08-10 - 2026-08-12 | Pretoria, South Africa
At CSIR International Convention Centre. Key topics are Earth Observation, Developing Space Tourism, Space Supply Manufacturing. Cultural tours are offered.

Launch H3 / QZS-5
2026-08-10 | Tanegashima Space Center, ~30°N, Japan
(No earlier than 10 Aug) Japan to launch the MICHIBIKI No. 7 | Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) navigation satellite. Launch window remains open through August 31, with flight times available in September as well.

Launch Long March 7A / Unknown Payload
2026-08-10 | Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, China
Undisclosed payload on China’s Long March 7A rocket from Hainan Island.

Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-19
2026-08-10 | SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
A batch of 29 satellites to launch to LEO for the Starlink mega-constellation, which now exceeds 10,897 active satellites. The first stage B1085 is expected to land on the ASDS barge, A Shortfall of Gravitas (ASOG) having now completed 17 successful launch and landing missions.

Rocket Lab to Announce 2nd Quarter 2026 Financial Results
2026-08-10 | Online
2:00pm PDT – Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) will release its financial results for the 2nd quarter 2026. A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at www.investors.rocketlabcorp.com.

2026 Taiwan Lunar Symposium
2026-08-09 - 2026-08-25 | Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
This international lunar science meeting has two objectives: to provide a platform for leading experts to review recent advances across lunar research, from the Moon’s origin to in-situ resource utilization, and to enable Taiwan’s academic and industrial communities to engage with international participants to explore near-term collaborative opportunities.

Outer Space Security Conference 2026
2026-08-08 - 2026-08-09 | Geneva, Switzerland
At the Palais des Nations and online. Outer space is entering a renewed phase of strategic importance, defined by rapid innovation, growing competition and deepening global dependence. The evolution of the domain into a site for critical infrastructure and diverse commercial participation is fundamentally reshaping how space is accessed, used and governed. At the same time, the dual nature of modern space activities creates complex security dilemmas regarding the thresholds of destabilizing activity, the neutrality of new actors and the strategic usage of space data. These developments raise urgent questions about security and stability in orbit.
Against this backdrop, UNIDIR convenes the Outer Space Security Conference 2026 as a platform for meaningful exchange across policymakers, defence actors, industry, academia and civil society. Through focused panel discussions on technical, legal and policy dimensions, participants will explore practical pathways to strengthen the security and sustainability of outer space, ensuring it remains stable and accessible for all.
Agenda
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
09:30 – 10:00 | Morning refreshments
10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome remarks
10:15 – 10:45 | Keynote address
10:45 – 12:15 | Panel I: Mapping space threats and consequences
Space systems are increasingly subject to threats that raise important security concerns, particularly for systems that support both civilian and military functions. This panel will focus on the consequences of space threats. It will examine how space threats can affect capabilities in orbit and generate cascading effects in space and on Earth, as well as how certain activities blur the line between benign and hostile intent. Bringing together perspectives from military, industry and civil society, the discussion will seek to understand how these impacts unfold, how ambiguity can be navigated and where key gaps remain in current understanding.
12:15 – 12:30 | Lightning talk: OS26 youth campaign winner
12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch break
13:30 – 15:00 | Panel II: Strategic stability and the security of space architecture
This panel will examine how reliance on integrated space infrastructure for tactical and strategic operations impacts global stability. It will evaluate how space-based force multipliers and the prospective deployment of strategic orbital capabilities challenge existing arms control regimes and broader international security. The panel will seek to identify practical steps and pathways to safeguard international security.
15:00 – 15:45 | Vienna exchange: Updates from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Several multilateral processes are underway to advance space governance through international efforts. In this session, UNOOSA will provide an update on its work and progress in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, with a particular focus on areas that may be of relevance to space security. The presentation will be followed by a brief question and answer session.
15:45 – 16:15 | Coffee break
16:15 – 17:45 | Panel III: Taking stock of efforts to advance the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in all its aspects
Efforts to advance PAROS are focused on how to move from general commitments toward practical implementation. This panel will examine how space security debates on both international legally binding measures and non-binding measures related to PAROS are developing and how they may be pursued in practice. It will consider where common ground is emerging, where differences remain and how current discussions in multilateral processes are shaping our near-term future.
18:00 – 20:00 | Reception
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
09:30 – 10:00 | Morning refreshments
10:00 – 10:15 | Opening remarks
10:15 – 11:45 | Panel IV: Complex interactions in a multi-actor orbit
Whereas the early phases of the space race were primarily dominated by States, the current space ecosystem has seen the competitive participation of industry actors. The proliferation of new actors and novel activities in orbit has created a complex web of interactions that have raised questions related to traditional legal frameworks. This panel will examine the impact of these shifting dynamics on the application of international law and the thresholds for targetability in the space domain.
11:45 – 12:00 | Lightning talk: OS26 youth campaign winner
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch break
13:00 – 14:30 | Panel V: Monitoring, verification and visibility in outer space
The cumulative number of objects launched into space now exceeds 24,000 and is expected to continue rising as more actors engage in space activities. The ability to monitor activities in orbit is now more important than ever for space safety and security. Space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities can track objects and detect certain activities, but challenges remain with using SSA. This panel will examine how new tools and technologies could be developed to support space security, including as a means to verify legally binding agreements and monitor norms of behaviour. It will explore current SSA capabilities and other tools, how data is interpreted and assessed and the opportunities and challenges associated with monitoring and verifying activities in outer space.
14:30 – 15:15 | Vienna exchange: Updates from the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness
The Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness, established by the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, is mandated, inter alia, to identify the information relevant for effective international SSA coordination, the technical and governance mechanisms through which such information could be exchanged, and the institutional arrangements for hosting, governing and accessing SSA information. This exchange will provide an update on the work of the group, initial recommendations and the utility of outcomes to safety, security and sustainability of the outer space environment.
15:15 – 15:45 | Coffee break
15:45 – 17:15 | Panel VI: Securing space data and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure
The modern space ecosystem relies on a complex, interconnected network of orbital assets and terrestrial ICT infrastructure. As reliance on these networks deepens, critical nodes—ranging from ground-based terminals to emerging concepts for data storage and processing in orbit—face evolving risks of hostile ICT activities and physical disruption. This panel will explore how the manipulation, disruption or denial of space-derived data impacts strategic stability, the security challenges surrounding both terrestrial and orbital data infrastructure and the multilateral and technical measures required to safeguard integrity and resilience across these systems.
17:15 – 17:30 | Concluding remarks
When and where
Tuesday, 8 September and Wednesday, 9 September 2026 | Room VIII – Palais des Nations, Geneva and online.

Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-38
2026-08-08 | SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USA
Another batch of 24 internet satellites to launch to LEO. First stage Booster B1093 expected to land on ASDS Of Course I Still Love You (OCISLY) after this 16th flight. These satellites add to the existing 10,897+ operational Starlink satellites.

U.S. ISS Spacewalk 96
2026-08-06 | Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Anil Menon will exit the Quest airlock to install hardware that will modify the station’s 3B power channel and prepare it for the future installation of an International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array (IROSA). The solar array, scheduled for delivery later this year, will be the seventh IROSA and will provide additional power to support critical station operations, including its safe and controlled deorbit.
Watch NASA’s live coverage of U.S. spacewalk 96 beginning at 7 a.m. The spacewalk is expected to start at 8:35 a.m. and last about six and a half hours.
This spacewalk will be the sixth for Meir and the first for Menon. Meir will serve as spacewalk crew member 1 and will wear a suit with red stripes. Menon will serve as crew member 2 and will wear an unmarked suit.

Webinar: PQC for Space and Critical Infrastructure
2026-08-06 | Online
Virtual Series 2026 will offer deeper conversations on why PQC matters and the practical steps businesses should be taking; starts 1:00 pm AEST.
Featuring:
✅Sandeep Taileng, Director, Cyber in Space
✅Sam Tseitkin, CEO, ExeQuantum
✅Dr Huon Curtin, Head of External Affairs, CI-ISAC Australia
✅Sivaraj Ganesan, Cybersecurity Architect & Security Leader
✅Chris Cubbage, Director, Space and Earth Partners and Advisory | Cyber In Space (Moderator)
This episode is valuable for security professionals, IT and infrastructure leaders, consultants, facility managers, and executives responsible facing unique challenges in cybersecurity, satellite communications, operational technology (OT), and critical infrastructure environments.
Hear practical insights and real-world considerations for assessing cryptographic risk and developing a migration strategy.

Launch Spectrum / Onward and Upward
2026-08-06 | Andøya Spaceport, ~63°N, Norway
2nd test flight of Isar Spectrum launch vehicle, to carry 5 cubesats to SSO, and ESA “Boost!” experiment:
* CyBEEsat (TU Berlin)
* TriSat-S (University of Maribor)
* Platform 6 (EnduroSat)
* FramSat-1 (NTNU)
* SpaceTeamSat1 (TU Wien Space Team)
* Let It Go (Dcubed, non-separable experiment)
Isar Aerospace is based in Munich, Germany, and was founded in 2018.

Falcon 9 Upper Stage to Impact Moon
2026-08-05 | Near Einstein + Bell Craters, ~19.45°N 93.59° W, Moon Surface
At 06:34:33 UTC on August 5, the upper stage (catalogued as 2025-010D) from the launch of Firefly’s Blue Ghost-1 lander on January 15, 2025 will impact the Moon at roughly 2.43 km/s (8,700 km/h or 5,400 mph) – resulting in a flash of light, vaporizing the upper stage and a impact plume of ejecta near the Einstein and Bell craters near the western lunar limb at approximately 19.455° N and longitude 266.406° E (which is 93.594° W) — the western lunar limb, which is the Earth-facing edge around the 10 o’clock position.
Researchers and those with sensitive enough telescopes will be able to witness the event.

14 Years on Mars: Curiosity Rover (Mars Science Laboratory)
2026-08-05 | Mars Surface
NASA Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory) rover surpasses another full year of operations on Mars surface today; launched Nov 26, 2011 – landed Aug 5, 2012 (Pacific Daylight Time).

NASA Astronaut Chris Williams Post-ISS Mission Debrief
2026-08-04 | Online
2:45 pm EDT from Johnson Space Center, NASA astronaut Chris Williams will recap his recent eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Williams returned to Earth on July 26, after logging 241 days as an Expedition 73/74 flight engineer during his first spaceflight. He returned along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, completing 3,856 orbits of the Earth over the course of their more than 102-million-mile journey. They also saw the arrival of six visiting spacecraft and the departure of eight.
During his mission, Williams supported a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations. He helped advance research for new cancer treatments and improved in-space manufacturing of materials used in high-performance computers and electronics. Williams also completed two spacewalks to prep for space station power system upgrades and to replace a faulty joint on the Canadarm2 robotic arm. The crew’s work aboard the space station helps improve life on Earth and prepare for future human missions to the Moon and Mars.

Voyager Technologies Q2 2026 Financial Results Telecon
2026-08-04 | Online
Voyager Technologies (NYSE: VOYG) will hold its 2nd quarter 2026 earnings call at 09:00 EDT.

SpaceX Announces 2nd Quarter 2026 Financial Results
2026-08-04 | Online
Holding its first financial results telecon 4:30pm EDT, after going public on June 12, 2026.

Launch Falcon 9 / BlueBird Block 2 #6-8
2026-08-04 | SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
To deliver AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites to LEO for cellular broadband service coverage.

Launch Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon 3) / Unknown Payload
2026-08-04 | Haiyang Offshore, Haiyang Oriental Spaceport ~36°N, China
Smart Dragon-3 is a solid-fuel orbital rocket designed by a subsidiary of CASC for the commercial market.

NASA Briefings on SpaceX Crew-13
2026-08-03 | Online
Occurring at 12pm ET with NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and SpaceX, followed by and 2PM ET briefings with the crew itself:
12 p.m.: Mission Overview News Conference

Joel Montalbano, deputy associate administrator, Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Dana Weigel, manager, Low Earth Orbit Program, NASA Johnson
Mathieu Caron, director, Astronauts, Life Sciences, and Space Medicine, CSA
Julianna Scheiman, director, NASA Science and Dragon Programs, SpaceX

2 p.m.: Crew-13 News Conference

Jessica Watkins, commander, NASA
Luke Delaney, pilot, NASA
Joshua Kutryk, mission specialist, CSA
Sergey Teteryatnikov, mission specialist, Roscosmos

Launch Long March 8A / Unknown Payload
2026-08-03 | Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, China
Launching from the Commercial LC-1 launch pad.

Asia Oceania Geosciences Society 23rd Annual Meeting (2026)
2026-08-02 - 2026-08-07 | Fukuoka, Japan
From 02 to 07 August 2026, a few thousand geoscientists across diverse disciplines will gather at the 23rd annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society at the Fukuoka International Congress Centre, Japan.

46th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR 2026)
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-09 | Florence, Italy
Includes ~150 meetings covering the fields of COSPAR Scientific Commissions / Panels / Task Groups, such as SC B: The Earth-Moon System, Planets, and Small Bodies of the Solar System. At Fortezza da Basso.
