October 4-10, 2021 / Vol 40, No 40 / Hawai`i Island, USA

First Women in Space and on the Moon Leading WSW 2021, Artemis Ambitions

Celebrating Women in Space is theme of 2021 World Space Week, held annually October 4-10 commemorating 1957 Sputnik-1 launch October 4, and signing of 1967 Outer Space Treaty Oct 10. First woman USA VP Kamala Harris leads National Space Council, developing priorities for 21st Century Artemis program landing First Women and People of Color on the Moon. Thousands in >90 countries and in LEO will participate in WSW events including: IAU ‘100 Hours of Astronomy’, India Society for Space Education, Research and Development 2-week Outreach Program, and Space Foundation ‘Space Is Better Together’. Canadian Space Agency Women in Space 2021 is taking place online Oct 4-8 and will feature 9 Sessions on equity, representation, allyship, science communication with Anna Gify Opoku-Agyeman, Ashley Walker, Sian Proctor, Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides and many others. Singapore Space and Technology Limited hosting Oct 8 Webinar Women in Space, features 6 women among whom are CEO Lynette Tan, Loh Sook Yee (Maxar) and Inbal Kreiss (Israel Aerospace). on On Oct 9 Jane Poynter and Haslinda Amin will present ‘The Next Frontier’ STEM Speaker Series sponsored by United Women Singapore. British Interplanetary Society is holding a talk by Christina Macleod – founder of Edinburgh-based Women in Space Oct 9. 36th Women in Aerospace Annual Awards is now reset to December 2 in Arlington VA, presenting 6 awards including Lifetime Achievement Award to Janet Kavandi. (Image Credits: WSW, IAU, NASA, SSTL, WIA, WIS, CU-Boulder, et al)

MONDAY

Highlights…
Oct 4 — ISS, ~405-km LEO: Expedition 65 Change of Command Ceremony to occur today with Akihiko Hoshide handing command to Thomas Pesquet; Soyuz MS-19 arrival with 3 people brings tally to 10 aboard ISS until Oct 16.

Oct 4 — Tiangong Space Station, ~370-km LEO: Three-person Shenzhou-13 possibly including woman Taikonaut to launch next week, starting 6-month stay, work with Tianzhou-3 cargo, experiments and equipment.

Oct 4 NewSpace: Virgin Galactic clear for flight after FAA review; Launch window for next New Shepard crewed flight opens next week; Orbit Boy of UK to working to bring microsatellite launches / access to Space from Italy.

Oct 4 — Solar System: Ryugu samples to undergo Advanced Photon Source analysis at Argonne National Laboratory; Perseverance, Curiosity and InSight continue data collection while Ingenuity remains grounded over 2-week command moratorium prompted by Mars solar conjunction.

Oct 4 — Galaxy: Hubble and VLT ESPRESSO spectrograph observations of WASP-127b show puzzling water vapor readings / Na concentrations; TESS data on ‘bare super-Earths‘ aid understanding of hot rocky exoplanets.

Oct 4 — Global: UK National Space Strategy calls for NET 2022 orbital launch capability as Prime Minister Johnson declares ‘Galactic Britain’; ISRO considers next generation space observatory to succeed AstroSat; ArianeGroup to lay off 600 staff in France and Germany.

Oct 4 — USA: SLS planning to be stacked with Artemis 1 Orion & CubeSats in Oct; Landsat 9 continues longest continuous Earth Observation mission, secondary payload Colorado Ultraviolet Transit Experiment conducting exoplanet spectroscopy; NASA aerospace engineer Homer Hickam new book taking pre-orders.

Oct 4 — Hawai’i: Mauna Kea, Halepohaku teaching telescope being discussed as public comments on draft environment assessment for Hoku Ke‘a decommissioning open until Friday; Keck Observatory chief scientist John O’Meara highlights importance of public messaging in science funding decisions.

= All times for terrestrial events in local time unless noted.

= All times for international terrestrial events in local time unless noted.

= All times for space events, and…

= All times for international space / astro events in Hawaii Standard Time unless noted. Add 10 hours to obtain UT (‘Universal Time’).


Weekly Planet Watch Evening Planets: Venus (SW), Jupiter (S), Saturn (S), Uranus (E), Neptune (SE).

Space Tech Expo USA 2021 Ready to Resume In-Person Industry Conference and Exhibit

Long Beach Convention Center is to be site of Space Tech Expo USA October 6-8, expected to draw over 3,000 live and in-person attendees representing 30+ countries eager to connect with suppliers of the latest space technologies and hear from commercial, academic and government space leaders. With sponsorship from Maxar Technologies, Mynaric (laser communications) and Zemarc (hydraulics), access to 2 days of the 250+ exhibitor show and 35+ speaker conference is entirely free of charge for industry professionals, while preview by invitation is set for Oct 6. Spearheading Collaboration and Innovation Across Industries is theme of conference day 1, with keynote by (L-R) Aerospace Industries Association VP Mike French and speakers including NASA Administrator for Space Operations Kathy Lueders. Panel ‘Investing in Innovative Technologies to Build and Maintain Reliable and Sustainable Downstream Space Applications’, with emphasis on the popular SPAC vehicle, to be moderated by Lindsey Polley of Starburst Aerospace. Rick Hefner of Caltech will lead discussions on ‘Increasing Engineering Efficiency Through Advanced Digitization’ and ‘Advanced Onboard Processors and Software Innovation’, followed by a show floor networking reception. Constructing Building Blocks for an Efficient, Inclusive and Sustainable Future in Space is theme of day 2, featuring panels on material science, power management, testing, and workforce inclusivity. Closing panel ‘From LEO to Lunar: Establishing Strong Partnerships to Develop a Thriving and Collaborative Economy’ will consider cislunar commercialization. (Image Credits: NASA, STE)

Oct 4-6 — Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, NASA, Houston TX: Martian Geological Enigmas: From the Late Noachian Epoch to the Present Day (#marsenigmas2021); Postponed.

Oct 4-8 — Canadian Space Agency, MDA, University of Toronto, et al, Online / Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada: Women in Space 2021.

Oct 4-10 — World Space Week Association, Global: World Space Week 2021: Women in Space; to celebrate international contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition; Oct 4 is 64th observation of 1st Space mission Sputnik One launched by Soviet Union 1957; Oct 10 is 54th observation of Outer Space Treaty going into effect 1967.

Oct 4 – Nov 10 — AIAA, Online / Reston VA: AIAA Short Course: Spacecraft Design, Development and Operations.

Continued From…

Aug 2 – Oct 31 — SpaceBase, Planet, Christchurch, New Zealand and Online: Space for Planet Earth Challenge; seeking innovative ideas from New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific Island residents at High School and University / Start-up level to address climate change through space technologies.

Sep 13 – Oct 4 — Confederation of Indian Industry, Indian Space Research Organisation, NewSpace India Limited, Antrix Corporation Ltd, Online / India: International Space Conference: Building New Space in India.

Sep 21 – Oct 5 — AIAA, Online / Reston VA: AIAA Short Course: Advanced Space Propulsion.

NET Oct 1 — JAXA, Launch Epsilon / RAISE 2, Uchinoura Space Center, Japan: Japan Epsilon rocket to launch Rapid Innovative Payload Demonstration Satellite 2 (RAISE 2) technology demonstration satellite with 8 rideshare payloads.

Oct 1 – Jan 2 — Exploration Place, Wichita KS: Astronaut Traveling Exhibit; highlighting how Astronauts get ready for working and living at ISS.

Oct 3-7— Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain: Conference: Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society II.

Oct 3-8 — American Astronomical Society, Online: 53rd Meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS).

TUESDAY

Oct 5 — Roscosmos, Launch Soyuz / ISS 65S, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan: Russia Soyuz rocket to launch and Soyuz MS-19 craft to ISS with Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov (part of Expedition 66-67), Film Director Klim Shipenko, Actress Yulia Peresild; will be 147th crewed Soyuz flight and 1st without international traveler since 2000; docking 08:12 EDT, live coverage available.

Oct 5 — Small Payload Rideshare Association, NASA, Ames Small Satellite Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI), Online: 23rd Annual Small Payload Ride Share Symposium – Session 3.

Oct 5 — Space Science Telescope Institute, Online / Baltimore MD: Lecture: How Dark is Space? by Tod Lauer (NSF NOIRLab).

Oct 5 — The Space Show, Online / Tiburon CA: Dr. David Livingston talks with Robert Zubrin, aerospace engineer, author and Mars advocate.

Oct 5-7 — SatNews, Agile Communication System, CommSat, Hughes, et al, Mountain View CA: Satellite Innovation 2021.

Oct 5 — Apollo Asteroid 2021 SE1: Near-Earth Flyby (0.022 AU)

WEDNESDAY

Oct 6-8 — SmarterShows, Long Beach CA: Space Tech Expo USA 2021; featuring 35+ commercial, exploration, national security sector experts; free.

Oct 6 — Moon: New Moon, 01:05; 3.2° NNE of Mars, 03:00; 6.2° NNE of Mercury, 13:00; 5.3° NNE of Spica, 20:00.

Oct 6 — Apollo Asteroid 2021 RP12: Near-Earth Flyby (0.013 AU)

Oct 6 — Apollo Asteroid 2021 ST : Near-Earth Flyby (0.015 AU)

Oct 6 — Aten Asteroid 1998 SD9: Near-Earth Flyby (0.027 AU)

THURSDAY

Oct 7 — Lunar and Planetary Institute, Online / Houston TX: LPI Seminar: Planetary Seismology: Nearly 3 years on Mars, and a return to the Moon; by Mark Panning, 15:00 CDT.

Oct 7 — NASA, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Online / Huntsville AL: USA Registrations Due: NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

Oct 7 — Mars: At conjunction with Sun, 2.628 AU from Earth, 18:00.

Oct 7 — Apollo Asteroid 2021 SD2: Near-Earth Flyby (0.015 AU)

Oct 7 — Apollo Asteroid 2015 TQ21: Near-Earth Flyby (0.020 AU)

FRIDAY

Oct 8 — Singapore Space and Technology Limited, Online / Singapore: Webinar: World Space Week: Women in Space; featuring Lynette Tan, Mani Thiru, Loh Sook Yee, Sandra Cauffman, Siti Nur Aazzah PDH Abdul Aziz; 14:00-15:30, free.

Oct 8 — NASA, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Online / Huntsville AL: International Registrations Open: NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

Oct 8 — Draconids Meteor Shower Peak: Appearing to radiate from constellation Draco, Draconids offer slow moving (20 km/s) meteors which are faint and fragment easily, about 10-20 per hour; peak 10:00.

Oct 8 — Moon: At perigee (distance 363,363 km), 07:28.

SATURDAY

Oct 9 — British Interplanetary Society, Online / United Kingdom: Women In Space, Scotland; with Christina Macleod – founder and chair of Women in Space, Scotland.

Oct 9 — United Women Singapore, Online / Singapore: STEM Speaker Series: Space – The Next Frontier Part 1; with Space Perspective Founder Jane Poynter and Bloomberg SEA Chief International Correspondent Haslinda Amin.

Oct 9 — The Astronomical League, Global: Fall Astronomy Day 2021; astronomical societies, planetariums, museums, observatories sponsoring public viewing sessions, presentations, workshops.

Oct 9 — Moon: 2.74° NNE of Venus, 11:00; 2.41° SW of Mars, 19:00; 3.9° NNE of Antares, 23:00.

Oct 9 — Mercury: At inferior conjunction with Sun, 0.662 AU from Earth, 06:00.

SUNDAY

Oct 10-13 — Geological Society of America, Portland OR: Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects 2021.

Oct 10 — Southern Taurids Meteor Shower Peak: Appearing to radiate from constellation Taurus, Taurids are associated with Comet Encke and offer about 7 meteors per hour and travel at ~28 km/s; peak 00:00.

Oct 10 — Mercury: With Mars and Antares within circle of diameter 4.29°, 09:00.

Oct 10 — Moon: At first quarter, 17:26; 3.8° SE of Saturn, 23:00.

26 - 30 Jul 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
AAS hosts, and AIAA co-hosts, specifically AAS Space Flight Mechanics Committee and AIAA Astrodynamics Technical Committee. At Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa.
29 Jul 2026
  • Space / Astro Events
Moon Orbit
14:37 UTC / 04:37 HST.
29 Jul 2026
  • Launch
Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, China
Undisclosed payload on China's Long March 7A rocket from Hainan Island.
29 Jul 2026
  • Launch
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC), ~39°N, Shanxi, China
Unknown payload launching from Launch Complex 9A launch pad.
29 Jul 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
Set to launch August 30, this 2pm EDT briefing will feature NASA personnel Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Jackie Townsend, Julie McEnery, and Jeremy Perkins.
30 - 31 Jul 2026
  • Space / Astro Events
Worldwide
Emanating from ~6km-wide comet with 5.3-year Solar orbit, visible in constellation Aquarius near star Delta Aquarii, fast, faint meteors peak on this night, best...
30 - 31 Jul 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
London, United Kingdom
The International Research Conference is a federated organization dedicated to bringing together a significant number of diverse scholarly events for presentation within the conference...
30 Jul 2026
  • Launch
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
Launch window opens 03:09am EDT for classified payload to launch for the US National Reconnaissance Office.
31 Jul 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Venice, Italy
to be held December 2-4, 2026 in Venice, Italy. Interstellar space is not the domain of any one discipline. It demands insight from across the...
01 - 09 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Florence, Italy
Includes ~150 meetings covering the fields of COSPAR Scientific Commissions / Panels / Task Groups, such as SC B: The Earth-Moon System, Planets, and...
02 - 07 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Fukuoka, Japan
From 02 to 07 August 2026, a few thousand geoscientists across diverse disciplines will gather at the 23rd annual meeting of the Asia Oceania Geosciences...
03 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
Occurring at 12pm ET with NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and SpaceX, followed by and 2PM ET briefings with the crew itself: 12...
04 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
Holding its first financial results telecon 4:30pm EDT, after going public on June 12, 2026.
05 Aug 2026
  • Observation / Anniversary
Mars Surface
NASA Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory) rover surpasses another full year of operations on Mars surface today; launched Nov 26, 2011 – landed Aug 5,...
06 Aug 2026
  • Launch
Andøya Spaceport, ~63°N, Norway
2nd test flight of Isar Spectrum launch vehicle, to carry 5 cubesats to SSO, and ESA "Boost!" experiment: * CyBEEsat (TU Berlin) * TriSat-S...
07 Aug 2026
  • Launch
Tanegashima Space Center, ~30°N, Japan
Japan to launch 04:30 local time the MICHIBIKI No. 7 | Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-7) navigation satellite.
09 - 25 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
This international lunar science meeting has two objectives: to provide a platform for leading experts to review recent advances across lunar research, from the...
10 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
2:00pm PDT - Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) will release its financial results for the 2nd quarter 2026. A live webcast and replay of...
10 - 12 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Pretoria, South Africa
At CSIR International Convention Centre. Key topics are Earth Observation, Developing Space Tourism, Space Supply Manufacturing. Cultural tours are offered.
11 - 13 Aug 2026
  • Education Program
Houston TX, USA
Participants will receive theoretical and hands-on training in electron imaging and X-ray spectroscopy for application to planetary samples. This training opportunity is targeted at...
11 - 12 Aug 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Canberra, Australia
"Leading Australia’s Space Future for Our Strategic Advantage". Southern Space 2026 brings together decision-makers who set the direction for Australia’s space sector. It is...
12 Aug 2026
  • Observation / Anniversary
Heliocentric Orbit
NASA craft surpasses another full year in space today, having launched Aug 12, 2018; probe came within ~6.16M km of the Sun on Dec...
26 - 30 Jul 2026
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
AAS hosts, and AIAA co-hosts, specifically AAS Space Flight Mechanics Committee and AIAA Astrodynamics Technical...
29 Jul 2026
Moon Orbit
14:37 UTC / 04:37 HST.
29 Jul 2026
Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, China
Undisclosed payload on China's Long March 7A rocket from Hainan Island.
29 Jul 2026
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC), ~39°N, Shanxi, China
Unknown payload launching from Launch Complex 9A launch pad.
29 Jul 2026
Online
Set to launch August 30, this 2pm EDT briefing will feature NASA personnel Shawn Domagal-Goldman,...
30 - 31 Jul 2026
Worldwide
Emanating from ~6km-wide comet with 5.3-year Solar orbit, visible in constellation Aquarius near star Delta...
30 - 31 Jul 2026
London, United Kingdom
The International Research Conference is a federated organization dedicated to bringing together a significant number...
30 Jul 2026
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USA
Launch window opens 03:09am EDT for classified payload to launch for the US National Reconnaissance...
31 Jul 2026
Venice, Italy
to be held December 2-4, 2026 in Venice, Italy. Interstellar space is not the domain of...
01 - 09 Aug 2026
Florence, Italy
Includes ~150 meetings covering the fields of COSPAR Scientific Commissions / Panels / Task Groups,...
02 - 07 Aug 2026
Fukuoka, Japan
From 02 to 07 August 2026, a few thousand geoscientists across diverse disciplines will gather...
03 Aug 2026
Online
Occurring at 12pm ET with NASA, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and SpaceX, followed by...
04 Aug 2026
Online
Holding its first financial results telecon 4:30pm EDT, after going public on June 12, 2026.
05 Aug 2026
Mars Surface
NASA Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory) rover surpasses another full year of operations on Mars surface...
06 Aug 2026
Andøya Spaceport, ~63°N, Norway
2nd test flight of Isar Spectrum launch vehicle, to carry 5 cubesats to SSO, and...