March 16-22, 2026 / Hawai`i Island, USA
Vol 45, Week 11: Lunar Broadcast Precursor — Terrestrial Edition
Isar Spectrum "Onward and Upward" Mission to Launch Multiple Payloads
Set for March 19, the 2nd test launch of the 28-meter Isar Spectrum aims to carry 5 cubesats to SSO and 1 non-separable experiment, the latter made by Dcubed as part of the ESA program supporting commercial space, likely an in-orbit demonstration of deployment hardware. One of the payloads, the CyBEEsat, a 1U (10x10x10 cm, or 1 liter) cubesat made by Technische Universität Berlin, demonstrates a miniaturized SDM-band transceiver and features perovskite solar cells, high-efficiency, thin-film, radiation-tolerant, low-cost, and printed / coated onto surfaces. Other payloads are: the TriSat-S 3U cubesat by University of Maribor, Slovenia, which will test battery hibernation with exceptionally low self-discharge / rapid voltage recovery and to test an ultra-low-power optical system as a precursor for autonomous navigation. Platform 6 is a 6U modular satellite made by EnduroSat, Bulgaria, for diverse missions and sold at US$492,000. FramSat-1 measures the Sun position relative to the satellite; it is built by members of the student organization Orbit at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, assisted by several companies and the Norwegian Space Agency. A 1U cubesat developed by the TU Wien Space Team at University of Maribor allows students in Slovenia and Austria to run their own code and take pictures / measurements. Isar Aerospace, established 2018 in Munich, Germany, now has 400+ employees from 40+ nations. (Image Credits: Isar, TU Berlin, NTNU, U of Maribor)
The 57th Lunar and Planetary Conference Convenes Again in Woodlands TX
On March 16, 2,000+ international experts begin 5 days in a collaborative environment to discuss heavenly bodies “from Mercury to Ultima Thule”, while the 1st LPSC conference convened 140 investigators to report on lunar samples brought back by Apollo 11 Astronauts. Scientists and students are encouraged to provide new insights and understanding of the Solar System. Oral and poster presentations, topical symposia and problem-oriented sessions are based on peer-reviewed abstracts chosen on overall relevance to the conference and quality of science from the 2,000+ submissions. Charles “Chip” Shearer presents “A Long and Rocky Road from Apollo to Artemis” as the lecture named for astrogeologist Harold Masursky, of the Apollo, Viking, Voyager, Magellan and Pioneer Venus missions. NASA updates / town halls will be given / led by Amit Kshatriya, Louise Prockter, Brad Bailey, Kathleen Vander Kaaden, Aaron Burton and Lori Glaze. Online attendance is available, as is a Professional Development Center for students / early-career scientists. Presentations encompass Artemis mission planning, solar wind samples, volcanic activity on Venus, minerals on Mars, and the ocean of Enceladus. Attendees can also apply to be LPSC Ambassadors, providing extended social media coverage and engaging with the community online using #LPSC2026. (Image Credits: L-R: NASA-conference with Lander, LPI, NASA-Gene Cernan on Moon)
Humans in Space
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew preparing for US Spacewalk #94 on Wednesday by cleaning spacesuit cooling loops, configuring suits / various tools to install modification kit and route cables for a new solar array, and training on the Canadarm2 to support the spacewalkers. The seven-member crew are also performing vein scans, documenting sleep patterns, collecting saliva, taking cognition tests, using sensors to analyze blood flow, testing artificial intelligence tools that may enhance communications, cleaning / inspecting a ventilation system, servicing the oxygen generator, replacing plumbing components, inspecting video recording gear, downloading video and imagery for mission controllers, and installing automated Earth observation hardware to capture imagery of islands across the Asia-Pacific region.
Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew using experimental software on laptops to look at human-machine trust and intuitive physical behavior, testing for metabolic components in urine with spectrometer, monitoring with electroencephalography equipment for research on deep cognition and emotional analysis / regulation, replacing the sampling cover of the combustion science experiment cabinet, evacuating waste gases, and changing experimental samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet; they continue regular inspections of the station, and do medical examinations for blood pressure, body composition and exercise-induced cardiopulmonary function with both modern and TCM diagnostic instruments.
Lunar Enterprise News: NASA targeting NET April 1 for Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission; mid-2027 for a new demonstration mission (Artemis III) to launch crew in Orion on top of the SLS rocket to low Earth orbit and test one or both commercial landers from SpaceX and / or Blue Origin for rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to land Astronauts on the Moon; and the first Artemis lunar landing for early 2028 (Artemis IV).
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Tue Mar 17: Apollo Asteroid 2015 VO142 (0.006 AU); Tue Mar 17: Apollo Asteroid 2026 DP10 (0.026 AU); Thu Mar 19: Apollo Asteroid 2026 DP15 (0.013 AU); Sun Mar 22: Apollo Asteroid 2010 RA91 (0.012 AU)
First Woman FLIES to the Moon …
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First Woman LANDS on the Moon …
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Events
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Goddard: Celebrating 100 Years Since Launch of 1st Liquid-Fueled Rocket
Worldwide / Auburn MA, USA“Tried rocket at 2:30,” Robert Hutchings Goddard recounted in his diary on that frosty afternoon in 1926 at “Aunt Effie’s farm” in Auburn, Massachusetts. “It rose 41 ft, and went 184 ft, in 2.5 sec, after the lower half of nozzle has burned off,” he wrote. Goddard’s March 16th experiment marked […]
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Spacewalk Preview News Conference
OnlineStreaming live at 14:00 EDT | 08:00 HST | UTC-4 on NASA YouTube channel, news conference participants include: Bill Spetch, operations integration manager, and spacewalk flight directors Diana Trujillo and Ronak Dave, ahead of NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams spacewalking on March 18 to install a pair of […]
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March Storm: Meetings with US Congressional Staffers
Washington DC, USAVolunteers will advocate for space-related support and funding with members of United States Senate and US House of Representatives or their staff. Mandatory in-person training for advocates will be conducted Monday, March 16th, followed by meetings Tuesday and Wednesday in Senate and House offices on Capitol Hill. Details will be […]
$50 -
57th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC)
The Woodlands TX, USAExpecting 2,000+ for the latest science, research, discoveries; at Waterway Marriott and online. Abstract peer review drives selection of presenters from global scientific community. LPSC began in 1970 as Apollo 11 Lunar Science Conference.
$400 – $700 -
Meet NASA Astronaut Steve Smith
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex FL, USAAstronaut Steven L. Smith flew as Mission Specialist on 3 Space Shuttles, Endeavor, Discovery and Atlantis, for 4 missions, STS-68, STS-82, STS-103 and STS-110. See him at the Astronaut Encounter, at the Chat With An Astronaut (additional ticket required) and for autograph signings at The Space Shop and Shuttle Express. […]
US$62 – US$187 -
Saint Patrick’s Day Greeting from the International Space Station
OnlineWith NASA Astronaut Catherine "Cady" Coleman, who plays Irish tunes on two flutes while traversing above Ireland several times in LEO during her Expedition 27 trip in 2011.
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ISS / U.S. EVA #94
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)NASA Astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams will conduct U.S. spacewalk 94, exiting the Quest airlock at about 08:00 EDT | 12:00 UTC | 02:00 HST (video coverage beginning 1.5 hours ahead) to prepare the 2A power channel for the future International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA) installation. It will be […]
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Goddard: Launching the Next 100 Years: Industry, Innovation & the Future of Space
Worcester MA, USACommemorating 100th anniversary of Robert H. Goddard’s historic rocket launch, open to the public, a panel including AIAA* President Dan Hastings discusses the future of space travel; at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 17:30-19:00 EDT; free but registration required. See other Goddard Centennial events here: https://firstlaunchcentennial.org/ Leaders from industry, research and […]
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Abstracts Due for Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Spring Meeting
OnlineDue by 23:59 EDT for event April 28-30, 2026. Submit abstracts at https://lsic.jhuapl.edu/Events/Abstracts/index.php?i=63600020
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Lunar Exploration Analysis Group: LEAG Town Halls
Online / The Woodlands TX, USAAt 11:00 CDT in-person at The Woodlands TX, USA, and Online at 15:00 CDT / UTC-5, both including an update from the recent LEAG annual meeting, and an open discussion of plans for LEAG moving forward where we hope to hear from the community regarding your priorities and concerns. Zoom […]
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2nd Conference on Earth-Space Sustainability: Law, Stewardship, Equity
Leiden, The NetherlandsEarth and outer space have become increasingly intertwined environmentally, politically and philosophically, as satellite constellations multiply, lunar activities expand, and aspirations for Mars and beyond gain momentum. At Leiden University Academy Building, Rapenburg 73. This conference, hosted as part of the Earth-Space Sustainability (ESS) network, provides a critical forum for […]
€200 -
Intuitive Machines Telecon for Financial Results: Q4 & FY 2025
Online"Before the market opens" Following the news release, at 08:30 EDT, the Company will host a conference call to discuss the results as well as growth opportunities following the Lanteris Space Systems acquisition. To participate in the call, please dial (800) 715-9871 (USA & Canada) or (646) 307-1963 (International) and reference Conference […]
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Astronaut Tony Antonelli Welcomes Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Awardees
Auburn AL, USADominic Anthony "Tony" Antonelli was Space Shuttle Pilot for Discovery and Atlantis. At Auburn University Brown-Kopel Center Grand Hall, 11:30 CDT.
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Advancing the Frontline of Space Business from Wakayama
Spaceport Kii, ~33.5N, Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, JapanKii Space HUB FY2025 Annual Report Meeting, includes a planned site visit to Spaceport Kii. Speaker is from the Kii Space HUB Office of Industry Partnerships.
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Webinar: Earth Observation at a Turning Point
OnlineAt 11:00 EDT | 15:00 UTC, subtitled "Who Benefits, Who Leads & What Comes Next?", session will address cloud computing, AI and Earth imagery, along with regulatory issues, pricing, and more, with focus on commerce and markets.
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Firefly Aerospace Telecon for Q4 2025 Financial Results
OnlineAt 17:00 EDT | 21:00 UTC, livestreamed on company web page https://investors.fireflyspace.com/events-resources/events.
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NET March 20 Launch Kinetica-2 / Prototype Qingzhou-1
Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, China53-meter launcher to carry prototype cargo spacecraft designed for Tiangong Space Station resupply. Kinetica-2 capable of delivering up to 12,000 kg to LEO.
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March Equinox
WorldwideOccurs 04:45 HST / 14:45 UTC; March equinox is known as the vernal equinox (or spring equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and as the autumnal equinox (or fall equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere; it is the equinox on the Earth when the subsolar point appears to leave the Southern Hemisphere […]
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Film: SPACEWOMAN About Eileen Collins
New York NY, USAQuad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street, will inaugurate showings of this film; 12:55, 14:45, 17:05, 19:00, 21:20 EDT. Their description: Astronaut Eileen Collins was the first woman to pilot and command an American spacecraft. Born on the other side of the tracks in upstate New York, she smashed many glass […]
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Artemis II Roll-Out to Launch Pad
SLC-39B, ~29°N, Kennedy Space Center FL, USAAnticipated return to Launch Complex 39B of Artemis II stack -- SLS and Orion capsule -- ahead of anticipated April 1 launch for Moon flyby with 4 Astronauts. Rollout takes 8 to 12 hours. See NASA Artemis blog at https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/artemis/ NASA YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMBJ-UOb6zU
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Webinar: DC-X, the 1st Reusable VTOL Rocket Enabling Modern Space Access
OnlineWith Jess Sponable, President and CTO for New Frontier Aerospace, and Nino Polizzi, aerospace engineer and instructor for Samueli Academy. At 11:00-13:00 PDT (08:00-10:00 HST).
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3-2-1 Day: Celebrate with the Space Coast Community
Titusville FL, USA3rd annual event celebrates the last 3 seconds before blastoff, Brevard County, the Space Coast community, and Robert "Ozzie" Osband. At Spaceview Park, 8 Broad Street, 11:00-17:00 EDT.
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Entries Close: Win a Celestial Escape to Mauna Kea + a Private Q&A with Bill Nye
OnlineEnter by 23:59 PDT (UTC-7) (for a chance to experience Hawai‘i’s legendary night skies while supporting The Planetary Society’s mission to advance space science and exploration. Included is a stay at The Westin Hapuna Beach at Mauna Kea Resort. This sweepstakes is a fundraiser for the nonprofit The Planetary Society, […]
US$25 -
AIAA Region VI Student Conference
San Luis Obispo CA, USAResearch papers are presented in a formal technical meeting atmosphere, and ideas are exchanged and programs discussed. Cash prizes given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place papers in each category. At California Polytechnic State University.
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Launch Soyuz 2.1a / Progress MS-33 (94P)
Baikonur Cosmodrome, ~46°N, Kazakhstan16:59 UTC+5 (01:59 HST) to launch resupply mission to the International Space Station that was delayed from December 2025 after November launchpad damage at spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan.
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African Lunar Symposium 2026
Kasane, BotswanaPart of 2026 African Astronomical Society Conference in Botswana April 22-27 and in collaboration with NASA SSERVI, features presentations on lunar science, planetary exploration, and human spaceflight to the Moon and beyond. At Wild View Resort, 80 President Avenue.
