May 25-31, 2026 | Vol 45, Week 21 | Hawai`i Island, USA
Shenzhou 23: Imminent Launch Followed by Shenzhou 24: International Collaboration in Autumn
The Shenzhou 23 mission is scheduled to launch NET May 24. Although originally planned for November, the craft was moved sooner consequent to the space debris impact on the Shenzhou 20 spacecraft. The 3-member crew will be introduced to the public at a pre-launch press conference with the possible reveal of the Taikonaut who will stay in space for a year, the other 2 returning after a standard 6-month stay. In October, Shenzhou 24 will be the next crew rotation—one with international significance as a Pakistani Astronaut will stay for a few days, returning to Earth with two Shenzhou 23 Taikonauts. Science for both Shenzhou 23 and 24 is planned at a high level; the docked Tianzhou-10 cargo ship delivering 67 experiments (768 kg, for 41 research projects). During the one-year stay, cardiovascular system, eye health, psychological state and genetic shifts will be tracked. Other life study includes animal embryo growth, stem cell differentiation and bone cell degradation. Physical science projects include: seeing how fluids behave, mix and transfer heat without gravity, vital for designing better spacecraft fuel tanks and thermal systems; melting, mixing and solidifying exotic metal alloys and crystals inside high-temperature materials racks. Crews will continue live interactive science broadcasts. (Image Credits: CNSA)
IAU Assists Astronomers in Energizing Public Engagement at CAP2026
The 11th Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP) Conference is being held this week to strategize best practices for engaging with those who are not professional astronomers. Hosted every two years by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Commission C2 and Office for Astronomy Outreach, exchange of ideas and global collaboration are encouraged among the ~200 expected onsite in Yerevan, Armenia, and perhaps as many participating online. Co-hosts with IAU are Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and Armenian Astronomical Society; collaborator is National Astronomical Observatory of Japan ahead of the November 2-6 symposium in Tokyo, “Innovative Research and Techniques in Astronomy Communication”. CAP2026’s theme is “Democratizing Astronomy Communication in the Era of Accessible Artificial Intelligence”. It is hoped that Yerevan will become a major astronomy networking hub for Central Asia and the Middle East. Learning to bridge complex scientific data and public understanding provides benefits for professional and amateur astronomers; communicators, journalists and writers; planetarium and science center staff; and even informal educators and creative artists. OAO also manages the peer-reviewed CAP Journal to highlight astronomy communication. (Image Credits: IAU)
Humans in Space
☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 members are preparing and reviewing procedures for a spacewalk this week by Roscosmos Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. They are inspecting two Orlan spacesuits for correct function while Andrey Fedyaev is configuring the European robotic arm. ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot has been photographing the Moon documented during her “Epsilon” mission. NASA Astronauts Chris Williams, Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway are conducting experiments with cartilage tissue and cancer-treatment drugs and are about to being growing microgreens for a healthy diet.
☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three members are enjoying steaks, chicken wings, peaches and grapes brought on the latest cargo delivery along with a 3rd more-comfortable spacesuit and 41 science items involving fluid physics, fish observing, embryos — zebrafish / mice / human-stem-cell-derived artificial, fibers, and 80-micrometer-thick flexible solar cells. They will soon deploy a small satellite produced for Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics by MinoSpace to demonstrate controlled formation flight between spacecraft. Shenzhou-23 crew planned to launch NET May 24.
◐ Lunar Enterprise News: Intuitive Machines advancing its lunar communications network with purchase of a company operating dozens of ground antennas, while expecting NASA’s decision on its rover. | Jared Isaacman believes Chinese Taikonauts will fly around the Moon in 2027 — which first requires multiple successful tests of Long March 10 and the Mengzhou spacecraft. | Beyond Earth Institute has published “Securing a Cislunar Future: Markets, Minerals and Momentum”. | New campus doubles the size of Firefly’s facilities in Cedar Park TX to enable assembly line of lunar landers and orbital vehicles. | Artemis III SLS rocket may be stacked within 2 months. | New NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson joins in “accelerating the Artemis Program“. | Ascend2026 panel emphasizes need for nuclear power to survive lunar night. | NASA ranks extended lunar operation #1 in its 2026 shortfall list. | PricewaterhouseCoopers published a Lunar Market Assessment, projecting US$127B annual revenues, dependent on radioisotope or nuclear power to survive lunar night. | Intuitive Machines will use a laser landing unit by Advanced Navigation for its IM-4 mission. | Astrolab FLIP Rover, flying on Astrobotic Griffin-1 lander NET late 2026, to carry 4 CLPS instruments: METAL, LRA, LDES and LiDAR.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon May 25: Apollo Asteroid 2026 KW (0.008 AU) | Wed May 27: Amor Asteroid 2026 JJ (0.048 AU) | Thu May 28: Amor Asteroid 2026 KD1 (0.028 AU) | Sat May 30: Aten Asteroid 2023 BM4 (0.031 AU)
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Events
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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 -
NET May 24 – Launch Long March 2F / Shenzhou 23 Crew
Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, ChinaLaunch scheduled for 23:08 Beijing Time | 15:08 UTC | 05:08 HST of 3 Taikonauts to Tiangong Space Station - one member to stay aboard Tiangong for one year, allowing for Pakistani Astronaut visit around October / November.
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-47
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window open 07:41-11:41 EDT | 11:41-15:41 UTC | 01:41-05:41 HST for 29 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1078 expected to land on ASDS ASOG after this 28th use.
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Communicating Astronomy with the Public (CAP Conference 2026)
Yerevan, ArmeniaTheme "Democratizing Astronomy Communication in the era of accessible Artificial Intelligence" will bring together astronomy communicators from around the world, both online and in-person in Armenia. At Ani Plaza Hotel. Conference dinner will be at Voskevaz Winery. Special visit to be made to Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. Pre- and post-conference tours […]
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NASA News Conference on Moon Base Plans
Online / Washington DC, USAAt 14:00 EDT | 18:00 UTC | 08:00 HST, NASA personnel including Administrator Isaacman will discuss plans and progress toward a sustained presence on the lunar surface, a Moon Base. Speaking at NASA Headquarters, leadership will discuss program progress, including new industry partners and mission plans. Subject matter experts will […]
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Applications Due: Orbital Edge Accelerator Funding
OnlineFounders and startup teams: The window to secure a distinctive advantage in the space economy is closing. The 2026 Orbital Edge Accelerator connects high-potential ventures with $500,000–$750,000 in private capital, expert mentorship, and access to space-based testing—alongside eligibility for a $100,000 non-dilutive Boeing-funded prize. Backed by Context Ventures, Cook Inlet […]
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2026 SmallSat Europe: Decoding Europe’s Smallsat Ascent
Amsterdam, NetherlandsExpecting 2,000+ attendees, 225+ presenters, 200+ exhibitors at RAI Convention Centre, with business, defense and technical tracks, as well as Space Generation Advisory Council SGAC Young Professionals Forum.
€66 – €346 -
32nd AIAA / CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference 2026
Brussels, BelgiumOrganized by the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, the 32nd AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference (Aeroacoustics 2026) is the premier international forum dedicated to aeroacoustics research and innovation. The AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference 2026 continues to be the leading international platform for the exchange of scientific and technical knowledge in the field […]
€475 -
Webinar: Securing a Cislunar Future: Markets, Minerals, and Momentum
Online13:00 EDT | 17:00 UTC | 07:00 HST; Featuring: Andrew Aldrin, Program Coordinator, Masters of Space Operations, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Hoyt Davidson, Founder & Managing Partner, Near Earth LLC | Chris Salvino, CEO & Founder, Lunar Helium-3 Mining | Jack Gregg, Adjunct Professor & Author | moderator Courtney Smith, […]
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3rd SPEXA Space Business Expo
Tokyo, Japan"Bridging Japan and the World's Space Business", visitors are invited to discover innovations, network, collaborate, and get educated about the latest advancements in space. At Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center), located at 3-11-1 Ariake, Kōtō-ku, Tokyo 135-0063, in the Ariake Minami district of Tokyo Waterfront City (Odaiba area). […]
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-41
SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USALaunch window open 07:00-11:00 PDT | 14:00-18:00 UTC | 04:00-08:00 HST for 24 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1082 expected to land on ASDS OCISLY after this 22nd use.
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Lunar Surface Power Transmission Workshop
Online / Washington DC, USAOnline from 11:00-16:00 EDT | 05:00-10:00 HST | 15:00-20:00 UTC, will feature presentations and panels with speakers from academia, industry, nonprofit and government. Agenda and registration available here: https://lsic.jhuapl.edu/Events/Agenda/index.php?id=63600027
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Lunar Surface Science Workshop – 2026 Artemis Update
Online11:00-17:00 EDT | 08:00-14:00 PDT | 05:00-11:00 HST -- NASA updates will highlight the stunning triumph of Artemis II, as well as progress across the many teams working to achieve lunar surface science and exploration objectives. Presenters will share developments in hardware, operations, and training concepts underway across the agency […]
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-53
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window open 07:52-11:52 EDT | 11:52-15:52 UTC | 01:52-05:52 HST for 29 internet satellites; 1st-stage booster B1085 expected to land on ASDS ASOG after this 16th use.
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Launch Atlas V 551 / Amazon Leo (LA-07)
SLC-41 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window open 19:33-20:02 EDT | 13:33-14:02 HST | 23:33 May 29 - 00:02 May 30 UTC for 29 communications satellites to LEO for broadband internet service.
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Blue Moon
Moon Orbit22:46 HST on May 30 | 08:46 UTC on May 31.
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Abstracts Due: 4th Space Renaissance International (SRI) World Congress
OnlineHeld online every 5 years, this year June 30-July 4; broad categories included science / engineering, art / media, philosophy / policy.
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Nominations Due: AIAA Honors & Awards
OnlineSix Premier Awards, a dozen Technical Excellence Awards, Lectureship, Service and Publication Awards, and more -- all nominations are due online today by 23:59 EDT, with references due July 1.
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Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP) Online Meeting: Limits of Terrestrial Life and the Probability of Growth on Mars
OnlineThis meeting is to provide information to NASA so it can develop a prioritized list of factors that contribute to the potential release of terrestrial bioburden on the Mars surface and the likelihood of microbial survival and replication. Quantitative and qualitative guidance on individual and multiple growth-limiting/growth-promoting conditions are needed […]
