AIAA SciTech Forum—the premier aerospace R&D event of the year exploring the science, technologies, and capabilities that are transforming aerospace.
The First Woman FLYS to the Moon …
NET (no earlier than)
Days
January 12-18, 2026 / Hawai`i Island, USA
Vol 45, Week 2: Lunar Broadcast Precursor — Terrestrial Edition
AIAA Opens New Year 2026 with 6,000+ at SciTech Forum in Orlando
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics hosts AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 on January 12–16 at Hyatt Regency Orlando, Florida, with theme Breaking Barriers Together: Boundless Discovery. Forum projects more than 6,000 attendees from 48 countries advancing aerospace research, development and technologies across civil, commercial and national security sectors. Program includes nearly 3,000 technical presentations spanning 65+ topics — aerodynamic measurement technology, applied aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, guidance, navigation, control, hypersonics, intelligent systems, spaceflight mechanics, propellants, combustion and more — plus plenary sessions, Forum 360 panels, and 100+ exhibitors showcasing innovations. Plenary speakers include Astronaut Peggy Whitson of Axiom Space, delivering opening remarks; Jonathan Arenberg, Fellow Chief Mission Architect Science Robotic Exploration, Northrop Grumman, sharing NASA James Webb Space Telescope insights; Arbi Karapetian, Director Innovation Technology, Formula 1, exploring cross-industry performance fuels. New Career Accelerator Program on January 12 equips university students with leadership tools, career strategies from experts including Hillary Coe, Vast; Amy Medina Jorge, Blue Origin commercial Astronaut; and others. Rising Leaders programming, speed mentoring, and Expo Hall HUB talks target young professionals building networks for 2030 lunar outposts, 2040 cislunar economy growth. Forum sets 2026 innovation pace toward sustained Moon presence, nuclear propulsion, quantum computing and autonomy. (Image Credits: AIAA) Will Lunar Rover Selection Catalyze 2026 Moon Endeavors?
As 2026 dawns, lunar specialists await the NASA decision for primary provider of US$4.6B Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) Services contract. LTV Project Manager Steve Munday, Extravehicular Activity / Human Surface Mobility Program Manager Lara Kearney, Chief Exploration Scientist Jacob Bleacher and NASA Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche may all weigh in, with possible input from Lunar Exploration Analysis Group. The LTV program marks a shift toward service-based mobility – renting – beginning with Artemis V mission NET 2029. Industry leaders—Intuitive Machines (IM), Lunar Outpost (LO), and Venturi Astrolab (Astrolab)—have spent a year refining prototypes with initial US$30M awards. Astrolab FLEX rover has Swiss-developed hyper-deformable wheels, lunar-night-surviving batteries, and will benefit from its Mona Luna European rover development and precursor FLIP rover launching NET July 2026. LO Eagle rover leverages automotive expertise from GM and Goodyear. IM Moon RACER, developed with input from Apollo veterans, demonstrates breakthrough power-beaming capabilities with Star Catcher Industries, transferring 2.78 kWh via laser. It is expected the chosen LTV will serve as cornerstone for sustained South Pole operations through 2039, able to transport Astronauts safely, carry ~1,000 kg of tools and samples. The new era of crewed mobility reflects legacy of Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) and Apollo “Moon Buggy.” (Image Credits: NASA)
Humans in Space
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven-member crew …
Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew …
Lunar Enterprise News: 2026 Proposed Moon Missions to Advance Science, Prepare for Human Landings │ LED TITLE
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Jan 12: Apollo Asteroid 2025 YR7 (0.023 AU); Wed Jan 14: Apollo Asteroid 2022 OB5 (0.0004 AU); Wed Jan 14: Apollo Asteroid 2025 XN1 (0.023 AU); Sat Jan 17: Apollo Asteroid 2025 BL (0.017 AU)
First Women LAND on the Moon …
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14 events found.
Monday
Tuesday
At the Johns Hopkins University Mt. Washington campus in Baltimore MD and online. Early-career researchers and students are encouraged to apply for both early-career opportunities and travel...
Another batch of 29 satellites for Starlink space-based internet communication mega-constellation to launch to LEO.
Wednesday
19:00-21:00 UT at BIS HQ, Vauxhall, London & online on Zoom.
Thursday
Griffith Observatory broadcasts this public program live 19:00-20:30 PST from the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater. Join the Observatory's curatorial staff as they examine and explain the...
18:00 CEST; Grégoire Danger, Professor at Aix-Marseille University (PIIM Laboratory – Physics of Ionic and Molecular Interactions) presents. What environmental conditions could have allowed the emergence of...
1st meeting of the GW:UK initiative to bring researchers to celebrate 10 years of gravitational wave discoveries and engage in community-building activities; at University of Nottingham.
From 1300-1600 JST at Miraikan Hall; led by the Artemis program, which is being carried out through international cooperation, humanity is returning to the Moon and even...
To begin 07:10 EST, lasting ~6.5 hours.
Friday
International Astronautical Federation recognizes achievements in the space community via many awards, such as World Space, International Cooperation, Hall of Fame, Diversity, Excellence in Industry, more. Submit...
10-week paid internship runs June 8 - August 15 2026 in Houston TX to provide training in analytical and lab skills in planetary science, with focus on...
Saturday
Offering space, aviation and robotics program for girls ages 14-18, inspiring young women to aim for the stars.
SPIE Photonics West and subconference on Optical Power Delivery, key to development of Space Solar Power.
Sunday
Topics, include but are not limited to: Satellite, Sustainability, Networking Technologies, Applications and Their Implications, Developing Regions and Emerging Markets, Governance and Ethics, Policies and Regulations, Subsea...
