May 11-17, 2026 | Vol 45, Week 19 | Hawai`i Island, USA
SpaceX’s Plans 5 Flights This Week, Including Starship Version 3, and IPO in June
SpaceX plans 5 launches this week, which would bring 2026 launches to 61, the Falcon 9 rocket flying 59 times, Falcon Heavy once, and Starship once upcoming. Falcon 9s are planned to take the NROL-172 payload from Vandenberg to an unknown orbit on May 11, followed by the Dragon CRS-2 cargo craft to the ISS from Cape Canaveral on May 12, Starlink and Globalstar satellites later in the week. In April, SpaceX reached 600 successful landings of Falcon 9 first-stage boosters, and on August 5 one will crash into the near side Moon. Falcon 9s have taken 10,000+ Starlink satellites to orbit to date. Although numbers vary, A Falcon Heavy—essentially 3 Falcon 9s strapped together—has now been awarded the mission of launching Europe’s first-ever Mars rover, a life-hunting robot called Rosalind Franklin NET Q4 2028. On May 15, the 1st launch of Starship Version 3 is planned. It will be the 12th launch overall of the vehicle intended to be a reusable ride for Solar System exploration. Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) employees now also work within a million-square-foot (93,000 sq m) factory at Starbase, Texas built specifically for Starship construction. A Raptor engine factory is nearby. The SpaceX IPO, targeted for June 2026, is expected to be one of the largest public offerings ever. (Image Credits: SpaceX)
China's Tianwen-1 Anniversary, Tianwen-3 Launching 2028, and Crewed Mission Targeting 2049 PRC Centennial
Tianwen-1 landing on Mars is celebrated on May 14 since 2021, when Xi Jinping said, ‘On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Tianwen-1 mission successfully landed.’ Tianwen-3 expects to launch in 2028 to collect and return 500 grams of Mars ~2031. A landing zone most-likely to have traces of life was chosen among 86 candidate sites. The lander’s drill will penetrate 2 meters to collect several grams, and the robotic arm will aim to gather the rest. A robot-armed helicopter may also be included. Chinese Academy of Sciences published its “Roadmap to 2050” in 2010, forecasting a crewed Moon landing around 2030 and crewed Mars exploration around 2050. A crewed Mars mission seems to have broad support in China, including from the Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSE), as a way of celebrating the centennial in 2049 of founding of the PRC in 1949. There are 2 Mars launch windows for crew before 2049 when the 26-month close-approach cycle coincides with an 11-year cycle of increased solar particles, which may limit the impact of more-harmful high energy particles coming from outside the Solar System. An additional benefit occurs every 15–17 years when Mars is at its closest to the Sun, with all 3 conditions occurring in 2033 and 2048. (Image Credits: CNSA)
Humans in Space
☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven members include Chris Williams, Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir of NASA and Sophie Adenot of ESA, who are growing alfalfa in a Vegetable Production System providing light and nutrients, using a new module for the Cold Atom Lab that chills atoms to near-absolute-zero for insight into their wave functions, and preparing research hardware that will be packed for return to Earth in the Dragon cargo craft expected to arrive this week. Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos unloaded cargo, serviced dehumidifiers.
☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew are expected to be transferring ~6,300 kg of cargo after arrival of Tianzhou-10, having several small altitude adjustments of TSS done ahead of time. The crew is using an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine with virtual-reality glasses to test brain-computer interface and intuitive movements in microgravity, and engaged in training to set goals, plan, focus attention, manage emotions and solve problems, having just completed assessment of their emergency-decision-making capabilities. Shenzhou 21 crew is also maintaining the stationʻs systems and their health.
◐ Lunar Enterprise News: Blue Origin Blue Moon Mk1 “Endurance” lunar lander passes vacuum chamber test. | NASA will increase its spending on Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) for robotic lunar lander missions from $2.6 billion to $4.2 billion, with 13 companies eligible to compete for task orders and special emphasis on rovers in addition to landers in a “shots on goal” agenda. | 12,217 photos released from Artemis II 9-day/2-hour mission. | New Glenn is sidelined. | Intuitive Machines has opened a propulsion testing facility for its lunar lander engine. | The Cislunar Coordination Office has been established with Jaime Stearns appointed to lead it. | Coordination with ~40 ground stations will allow laser Moon transmissions at 260MB per second with 1 Watt, compared with Orion 5Mbps with 20W or Apollo 50KB/second. | Axiom is confident its lunar spacesuits will be ready for 2028 landing.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Wed May 13: Apollo Asteroid 2001 MS3 (0.053 AU); Fri May 15: Apollo Asteroid 2015 VE65 (0.054 AU); Sat May 16: Apollo Asteroid 2023 VR5 (0.019 AU); Sun May 17: Apollo Asteroid 2026 HC5 (0.018 AU)
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Events
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Cislunar Exploration: Challenges and Opportunities – Online Short Course
OnlineThrough May 11, Four instructors convene this class because current USA / international / commercial mission plans, both crewed and uncrewed, will be challenged by multiple new hurdles, including regulatory, habitat, mining, and navigation and positioning. This course aims to present a few key challenges related to the return to […]
US$495 – US$995 -
Spacecraft Rendezvous and Proximity Operations
OnlineOnline short course on Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), critical for crew transfer, in-space assembly and space debris removal, among other uses. Instructor is Pradipto Ghosh; 12 classroom hours / 2.4 CEU-PDH; online via Zoom with replays available. Students will receive Certificates of Completion from both AIAA and Johns Hopkins […]
US$1595 – US$1795 -
Launch Falcon 9 / NROL-172
SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USALaunch window 15:28-19:28 PDT | 12:28-16:28 HST for 13th batch of satellites built by Northrop Grumman and SpaceX for the National Reconnaissance Office.
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2 Aerospace Mechanisms Courses: Fundamentals and Compliant Design
Huntsville AL, USAFundamentals of Space Vehicle Mechanisms with instructor Scott Christiansen, and Compliant Mechanism Design with instructor Todd G Nelson, are both being offered live and on-site to the public prior to the 48th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium (AMS) May 13-14 in Huntsville. Each course runs all day, both days, with Certificate of […]
US$995 -
Launch Falcon 9 / Dragon CRS-2 SpX-34
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch time set for 19:16 EDT | 13:16 HST | 23:16 UTC for 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the International Space Station under the Second contract between SpaceX and NASA. First stage booster is expected to return to launch site, Landing Zone 40, after a sonic boom. Courtesy of […]
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Launch Long March 6A / Unknown Payload
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC), ~39°N, Shanxi, ChinaLaunch window 19:55-20:09 China Time | 01:55-02:09 HST for the 24th launch from Launch Complex 9A, and 154th launch from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. The Long March 6A has solid rocket boosters.
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Electron Backscatter Diffraction of Planetary Materials Workshop
Tempe AZ, USAAt Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, participants will receive theoretical and practical training in preparation of samples, EBSD data acquisition, and data processing for planetary samples. This training opportunity is limited to approximately 10 participants who want to increase their skills in planetary materials research.
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3rd ESA Earth Observation Commercialisation Forum
Seville, SpainESA CommEO brings together global leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across the Earth observation ecosystem. Discover the latest market trends through keynote sessions, engage in thought-provoking panel discussions, and explore cutting-edge solutions from exhibitors. With dedicated matchmaking opportunities, ESA CommEO is designed to spark collaboration and accelerate commercial growth. At Hotel Meliá […]
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Launch Zhuque-2E / Unknown Payload
Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, ChinaLaunch window 11:00-13:08 China Time | HST 17:00-19:08 May 12, expected to be the 4th for the Zhuque-2E medium-sized LOX / methane rocket with capacity 6,000 kg to LEO / 4,000 kg to SSO at altitude 500 km, ~49m x ~3m. Expected to be 7th launch from Area 96A and […]
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Global Space Technology Convention & Exhibition (GSTCE) 2026
SingaporeGlobal companies, investors, and policymakers come together to explore how space technologies are being commercialised — and what it takes to translate capability into adoption, ROI, and growth. At Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands.
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48th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium 2026
Huntsville AL, USAAt Von Braun Center. The Thursday night banquet will be held in the Space & Rocket Center, under a Saturn V launch vehicle. Pre-event courses on May 11-12 are available with separate registration: Fundamentals of Space Vehicle Mechanisms, Compliant Mechanism Design Course, Rolling-Element Bearings. Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium is concerned with […]
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1st IAA Planetary Sunshade Workshop
Nottingham, United KingdomThe workshop will bring together engineers, scientists and policy experts to advance the field of planetary sunshades. At University of Nottingham.
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11th International Conference on Recent Advances in Air and Space Technologies (RAST2026)
Istanbul, TürkiyeA forum for the exchange of recent research results and ideas in air and space technologies, it should be of interest to a wide range of participants from government agencies, relevant international institutions, universities, research organizations, and air and space companies, as well as media and the general public. Presentations […]
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5th Anniversary: China’s First Mars Landing (Tianwen-1)
Utopia Planitia, 25.1°N 109.9°E, Mars SurfaceTianwen-1 Lander and Zhurong Rover celebrated today for China's first successful landing on Mars; craft landed on this day in 2021 in Utopia Planitia, Mars Surface.
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AIAA Los Angeles Section Annual Awards Dinner 2026
Los Angeles CA, USAKeynote speaker TBA. Awards for Technical Excellence, Best Paper, Membership Advancement, James Wertz Scholarship and other awards will be featured. 17:00-22:00 PDT, Cambria Hotel LAX, 199 Continental Blvd. Online presence available.
Free – US$70 -
Inside the Dome
Washington DC, USASubjects on the agenda include: The New Age of Missile Defense, The Hype for Hypersonics, Space-Based Interceptors, Connectivity and Comms, Command and Control, The role of the Golden Dome Caucus. At Waldorf Astoria.
Free – US$999 -
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Gala 2026
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex FL, USAWith many NASA Astronauts, including Bob Cabana, Bernard Harris, Joan Higginbotham, Barbara Morgan, Tom Akers and Joe Tanner; Induction Ceremony & Gala at Kennedy Space Center; talks, panel discussions, and receptions in celebration of all things space exploration. Associated events include a May 15 evening reception, May 14 dinner.
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Psyche Spacecraft Uses Mars for Gravity Assist
Mars OrbitOn its way to the asteroid Psyche, the Psyche spacecraft will pass within 4,500 km of Mars and will harness the planet’s gravitational pull to speed up and adjust its trajectory toward the metal-rich asteroid. The spacecraft was launched October 13, 2023, and by August 2029, the spacecraft will begin […]
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-37
SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USALaunch window 07:00-11:00 PDT | 04:00-08:00 HST for 24 internet satellites. Booster B1097 expected to land on ASDS OCISLY after this 9th flight. These 24 will add to the 10,000+ Starlink satellites currently operational.
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A Conversation with ‘Why Space? The Purpose of People’ Author Rick Tumlinson
OnlineFirst in a series of live webinars with EarthLight Founder Rick Tumlinson, exploring the ideas in his book "Why Space? The Purpose of People". 06:00 HST | 09:00 PDT | 12:00 EDT | 16:00 UTC. This is more than a conversation about rockets or exploration. It is about the future of […]
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2026 American Rocketry Challenge National Finals
The Plains VA, USAAt Great Meadow equestrian center and conservation park. Student teams who have designed, built and launched their rockets into the Top 100 will compete for the title of National Champion and have a chance to represent the USA at the International Rocketry Challenge, whether held at the Farnborough Air Show […]
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Launch Falcon 9 / 9 x Globalstar 2-R
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window 08:50-09:04 EDT | 02:50-03:04 HST for mobile communications network satellites to LEO, replacing MDA existing ones with new ones built by Globalstar. Rocket Lab constructed the satellite buses and launch dispensers.
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Meet Astronaut Norm Thagard
Kennedy Space Center FL, USAMission Specialist, space shuttle Challenger (STS-7); Mission Specialist, space shuttle Challenger (STS-51-B); Mission Specialist, space shuttle Atlantis (STS-30); Payload Commander, space shuttle Discovery (STS-42); Researcher, Soyuz TM-71 / Mir 18. "Astronaut Encounter" and autograph signing included with admission; can purchase "Chat with an Astronaut." Licensed physician; former Marine Corps Reserve […]
US$62 – US$77 -
Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-42
SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USALaunch window 19:11-23:11 PDT | 16:11-20:11 HST for 24 internet satellites. First stage Booster B1100 expected to land on ASDS OCISLY after this 6th flight. These satellites add to the existing 10,000+ operational Starlink satellites.
