January 22-28, 2024 / Vol 43, No 4 / Hawai`i Island, USA

Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Astronaut Memorial Week Looks Toward Artemis Missions 

In the spirit of remembrance and exploration, this weekend will begin honoring fallen space heroes with the 57th observation Apollo 1 loss of Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee on January 27; the Challenger STS-51L 38th observation loss of Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Christa McAuliffe, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick, Ronald E. McNair, and Gregory B. Jarvis on Jan 28; and the Columbia STS-107 21st observation loss of Richard D. Husband, Laurel Clark, Ilan Ramon, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown and Kalpana Chawla on February 1. Each of their contributions helped advance our ability to reach space and go beyond, a goal undertaken by the re-established USA National Space Council and the Artemis Moon program. Accentuating ‘In Peace for All’ Artemis 3 plans to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon during USA quarter millennial year 2026 while NewSpace commercial enterprise plays a major role in USA return to the Moon under the CLPS program, and international participation in Artemis includes technologies (Orion European Service Module), people (Canada Astronaut Jeremy Hansen on Artemis 2 flight) and policies (33 countries have signed the Artemis Accords). Though rapid development and meeting timelines are critical for mission success, going into space safely, sustainability and inclusively have rightfully been overarching 21st Century principles for the Artemis generation. (Image Credits: NASA, ILOA Hawai’i)

MONDAY 

☆ Jan 22 — International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 70 seven-members working with four members of Axiom 3, planning for Cygnus cargo arrival next week, preparing for upcoming EVA for Radio Frequency Group (RFG) retrieval.

☆ Jan 22 — Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-17 three-member crew welcomes Tianzhou 7 cargo ship – the 12th craft to rendezvous with TSS, and its 7,400 kg of supplies.

☾ = Moon activity

★ = Space and… ☆ = International space / astro events in Hawaii Standard Time unless noted. Add 10 hours to obtain UT (‘Universal Time’).

IAASS Working to Create International Standard for Civilian Health and Safety in Space

International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) workshop The Human Research Program for Civilians in Spaceflight & Space Habitation (HRP-C) is being held at Helmerich Research Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University-Tulsa Jan 23-24. IAASS is in its 19th year working to establish space safety protocols in effort “to make it possible for everyone who wishes to enter space to realize that dream through advanced science” since founding in April 2004. The upcoming workshop with stated goal is chaired by (L-R) NASA Research Psychologist Bettina Beard, who will give opening remarks and report on the planning and scope of the HRP-C. Angie Bukley of Space Safety Institute and The Aerospace Corporation is to present on Design Reference Missions and Recommendations for the HRP-C. Former NASA director / Oklahoma congressman Jim Bridenstine, whose administration shepherded the Commercial Crew Program and Commercial Resupply Services to fruition, to give talk Significance of an HRP-C: Benefits For All Nations. Italian Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori to give international perspective with presentation on global human space research. Global Spaceport Alliance director / New Shepard spaceflight participant George Nield and former UNOOSA director Simonetta Di Pippo will conclude the IAASS workshop with Recommendations for Implementing the HRP-C Nationally and Internationally. Sponsors include Tulsa Innovation Labs, Voyager Space Holdings, KBR, and Redwire. (Image Credits: IAASS, OSU-Tulsa, NASA)

● Jan 22 — LPI-JSC Center for Lunar Science and Exploration, Online: Intern Applications Due: 2024 Exploration Science Summer Intern Program.

☾ Jan 22 — Moon: 3.9° N of M35 cluster, 17:00.

☆ Jan 22 — Aten Asteroid 2020 YK3: Near-Earth Flyby (0.062 AU)

TUESDAY

☆ Jan 23 — CAS Space, Launch Kinetica 1 Flight 3, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China: Kinetica rocket to carry 5 Earth and spatial observation satellites manufactured by MINOSPACE to space.

● Jan 23-24 — International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS), Aerospace Corporation, Global Spaceport Alliance, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa OK and Online: Human Research Program for Civilians in Spaceflight and Space Habitation.

☆ Jan 23 — Apollo Asteroid 2021 BL3: Near-Earth Flyby (0.044 AU)

WEDNESDAY 

● Jan 24 — Northrop Grumman, Online: NG 4th Quarter 2023 financial results telecon.

☾ Jan 24 — Moon: 5.1° S of Castor, 04:00; 1.71° S of Pollux, 10:00.