Volume 44, Week 47: Lunar Broadcast Precursor — Terrestrial Edition
Shenzhou-22 spacecraft is expected to launch November 25 with only cargo – no humans – to provide a return vehicle for SZ-21 Taikonauts currently in TSS. The now-docked SZ-20 craft is deemed unsafe to carry humans due to a cracked window, thought to be caused by impact of space debris. TSS Taikonauts are reported in good health, possibly in part from the new oven / grill. 4 mice that arrived November 1 returned to Earth November 14 with the SZ-20 crew, show good health and are being studied by scientists for insight into human adaptation to space. Samples from 25 other scientific experiments also returned November 14, and being studied are zebrafish, an aquatic plant, a bacterium, planaria and 3D miniature clusters of lab-grown human brain cells, along with material-science samples to reveal in-space performance for their use in solar cells, optical fibers and energy systems. ISS crew continue to unload supplies from first-ever JAXA resupply ship HTV-X1. Roscosmos launch of Soyuz MS-28 with Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikayev and NASA Astronaut Christopher Williams is expected November 27. Ongoing ISS studies involve blood pressure / circulation, eye health, stem cells and respiration, et al. (Image Credits: NASA, CNSA, CSA-ASC, JAXA)
The International Lunar Sample Research Symposium 2025 takes place November 21 to 24 at University of Hong Kong Yuet Ming Auditorium, drawing scientists from over a dozen countries and two dozen universities to share the latest data on lunar samples, meteorites and other studies. Jointly sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Geology & Geophysics and the University of Hong Kong Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, this gathering has 50+ abstracts on lunar samples, with presentations and posters fueling global debates. Chang’E-5 lunar samples from Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT) and Chang’E-6 far side South Pole-Aitken Basin highlight the latest findings. Water in lunar soil, ancient zinc isotope outgassing, lunar volcanism clues and impact bombardment records will be discussed across dozens of talks. Keynote speaker Yi-Gang Xu, research professor at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GIGCAS), and others unveil Chang’E-6 findings. Future Moon missions will be featured by Jatan Mehta, who will present about India Chandrayaan-4 lunar polar sample return mission. Quentin Parker of University of Hong Kong will showcase the International Lunar Observatory Association ILO-C wide-field camera aboard Chang’E-7 lander, expected to head to the lunar south pole area NET Aug 2026, for astronomy from the Moon surface. (Image Credits: Nanjing DIQi Information Technology Co., Ltd)
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 73 crew are unloading JAXA HTV-X1 cargo, processing biological samples, advancing bone cell research in the Life Sciences Glovebox, performing leak checks, stem cell experiments, fluid physics tests, and spacecraft fire safety research; on November 27, Soyuz MS-28 is set to arrive with 3 new crew members for Expedition 74.
Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew—Commander Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang—are working on habitat maintenance, Earth observations, and lunar soil “brick” tests for 2030 Moon base construction; expecting the uncrewed Shenzhou-22 launch on November 25 to be used as a return vehicle, restoring full operational safety after the debris-damaged Shenzhou-20 is deorbited over the Pacific Ocean.
Lunar Enterprise News: Star Catcher, Intuitive Machines Surpass DARPA Record in Beaming Power to Lunar Rover │ “Moon Bricks” After 1 Year of Radiation / Temps +121°C to -157°C
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Nov 24: Apollo Asteroid 2025 VL6 (0.006 AU); Tue Nov 25: Apollo Asteroid 2019 UT6 (0.015 AU); Wed Nov 26: Apollo Asteroid 2021 WR (0.030 AU); Thu Nov 27: Apollo Asteroid 2018 WG2 (0.034 AU)
First Women Land on the Moon in…
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Nov 19 – Dec 6 — Space Age Publishing Company (SPC), Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce (KKCC), Online / Hawai’i: Bid for Hawai’i Auction: Send Your Name + Message to the Moon Surface.
Nov 21 – Nov 24— Institute of Geology and Geophysics at Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China: International Lunar Sample Research Symposium 2025.
In2Space brings together global and regional leaders from both traditional and new-space sectors alongside experts in ground-based satellite infrastructure. The conference will feature insightful presentations, interactive workshops and a dynamic exhibition floor highlighting the latest developments across the full satellite ecosystem. Features Sherif Sedky, CEO, Egyptian Space Agency, and Ali […]
Spacecraft to be launched without crew to replace Shenzhou-20 craft docked at Tiangong Space Station but damaged by orbital debris and deemed unsafe for crew. Launch window 12:11-12:41 China Time (18:11-18:41 Hawaii Time on Nov 24)
Launch window open 16:00-17:35 local time (UTC+3) (Hawaii Time 03:00-04:35, UTC-10) for government payload
Kathryn Hadler of European Space Resources Innovation Centre (ESRIC) presents on In-Situ Resource Utilization, followed by Q&A. Will be recorded and later available at American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Space Resources Technical Committee YouTube Channel, @aiaaspaceresources4398
Rescheduled multiple times, launch now planned for window 10:18-11:15 Pacific Time (08:18-09:15 Hawaii Time)
Artemis 2 crew member Hansen will present his children's book in English and French at the Toronto Public Library, Cedarbrae branch, at 10:30 AM ET (UTC-5). Titled The Explorers Club: To The Moon!, it is available free beginning November 26 on the CSA-ASC website, https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/artemis-ii/activities/, and the event will be […]
To shape strategies for next 3 years and discuss progress of Strategy 2040. Director General Josef Aschbacher will present Elevating the Future of Europe Through Space proposal. Will stream live at <https://watch.esa.int/two/>, 13:00-17:30 Central European Time (UTC+1).
Introducing youth to artificial intelligence, virtual reality, space, robotics. Includes WRO 2025: International Final events; follows regional robot competitions worldwide, for many ages and skill levels.
Will take crew to the International Space Station: cosmonauts Commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikayev and Oleg Platonov, and NASA Astronaut Christopher Williams (a medical physicist on his 1st space flight); from spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan. Hawaii Time for launch is Nov 26, 21:26.
Earth observation satellite to SSO for Korea Ministry of Science, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. In time zone UTC+9, launch is planned for window 12:54-13:14 (Hawaii Time is Nov 26, 05:54-06:14, UTC-10).
Includes: Private bus tour behind NASA’s gates, making stops at iconic Kennedy Space Center landmarks. Pending spaceflight operations stops may include outside the Vehicle Assembly Building and panoramic views of Launch Complex 39’s Pads A and B. Plus, the tour will drive by the astronaut crew quarters. Personal guided tours of the visitor complex’s iconic attractions, including the Rocket Garden, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex® and […]
Black Hole Deep Dive with Astronomer in Residence Devin Chu and 2 other black hole programs, plus hands-on activities for all ages; 09:00-16:00; US$4.50-9.50 (50% off today)
The northern hemisphere's autumn equinox on Mars marks the beginning of the autumn season in the northern hemisphere and coincides with the start of the planet's dust storm season. Unlike Earth, which has a nearly circular orbit, Mars' elliptical orbit causes its seasons to vary in length.
Appearing at brightest magnitude 0.9, traveling from SW to E, Hubble Space Telescope will appear over Hawaiian Islands from 18:56:02 to 19:03:04 HST.
Scheduled for 14:21 in French Guiana (UTC-3) (Hawaii Time 07:21, UTC-10), KOMPSAT-7 is for South Korea, the follow-up to KOMPSAT-3A, for Earth observation.
Launch window 15:11-19:11 Eastern Time (10:11-14-11 Hawaii Time)
Wilcutt piloted Space Shuttle missions STS-68 and STS-79, and commanded STS-89 and STS-106. With over 1,007 hours in space on 4 missions, Wilcutt has received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. His worked on Space Shuttle Main Engine and External Tank issues, supporting launches and landings […]