January 26 - February 1, 2026 / Hawai`i Island, USA
Vol 45, Week 4: Lunar Broadcast Precursor — Terrestrial Edition
Astronauts Memorial Week 2026: Honoring Heroes, Fueling Future Dreams
The space community gathers this week to reflect on profound sacrifices that shaped our journey to the stars. During Astronaut Memorial Week, we have the 59th observation of Apollo 1 loss of Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee (1/27/1967); the 40th of Challenger STS-51L loss of Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Christa McAuliffe, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick, Ronald E. McNair and Gregory B. Jarvis (1/28/1986); and the 23rd of Columbia STS-107 loss of Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon (2/1/2003). Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and Kennedy Space Center reflect on sacrifices propelling safer, bolder missions. Over 700 people have flown above the 100-km Kármán line, 12 men worked on the Moon, over 105 women completed spaceflights and citizens of 47 countries reached space—with diverse nations and private ventures expanding representation for aspiring spacefarers. NASA Artemis program advances to Artemis II, NET February 6, carrying four Astronauts on a circumlunar flight, testing systems for sustainable lunar presence. NASA day of remembrance coincides with Blue Origin New Shepard NS-38 launching private citizens on a suborbital adventure on the 22nd. SpaceX stands next in line to fly people to the Moon with its Starship Human Landing System under NASA Artemis program, advancing crewed lunar returns with enhanced astronaut safety at the forefront. (Image Credits: NASA, CNSA, ISS Partners)
China Moon Goals Furthered by International Cooperation
Chang’E-7 (CE-7) mission, launching NET August on Long March 5 from Wenchang, Hainan, China, aims to widely explore lunar South Pole environment / resources using orbiter, lander, rover and hopping probe, detecting water ice, mapping terrain and analyzing subsurface composition. Its instruments, indigenous and from 7 international partners, will lay groundwork for International Lunar Research Station planned to be fully operational in 2050. After orbiting ~2 Earth months, CE-7 lander will drop to Shackleton Crater area and send its hopper into permanently shadowed areas, while the rover investigates topography, composition and structure of the rim. Data will transmit to Earth via 1,200-kg relay satellite Queqiao-2 in highly elliptical lunar orbit. Others of the ~20 orbiter / lander / rover / hopper CE-7 payloads will detect moonquakes, measure magnetic fields, observe ions / particles / lunar dust. Mounted on the lander is ILO-C wide-field optical instrument planned to capture high-resolution images of Milky Way galactic center. ILO-C is developed in historic collaborative effort by International Lunar Observatory Association of Hawai’i, National Astronomical Observatories of China and Hong Kong University Laboratory for Space Research, with support from National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand–which will co-host the 2nd ILO-C science workshop January 30 in Chiang Mai. The international collaboration could serve as harbinger for an Asian Treaty Organization for Astronomy, similar to European Southern Observatory, advancing 21st Century astronomy from the Moon. (Image Credits: CNSA, China Media Group, NASA GSFC / ASU, Yang Liu / Wang C., et al)
Humans in Space
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 operating with crew of 3, NASA Astronaut Chris Williams and Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkof and Sergei Mikayev, until next crew arrival, likely February 15; portable ultrasound machine remains onboard after recent use prior to medical evacuation with crew expressing gratitude for feeling prepared during the medical emergency; ongoing science includes a blood pressure study and evaluation of small-crew team dynamics under stress; ongoing maintenance includes routine checks on life support and navigation systems; ongoing health activity includes fitness routines and nutritional management.
Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew using VR headsets and EEG equipment to analyze eye-brain coordination in microgravity, conducting studies on lithium-ion battery electrochemistry, drilling for medical emergencies and evacuation procedures, training on manually guiding docking of spacecraft, conducting routine inspections and maintenance of life-support and environmental-control systems as well as navigation aids, following a daily structured time schedule based on China Time of 07:00 wakeup, 08:00 mission-control conference, 13:30 hour-long rest period and 21:00 end of tasks.
Lunar Enterprise News: Buzz Aldrin Begins 97th Trip Around the Sun │ Blue Origin On the Move with Endurance MK-1 Lander and New Glenn Booster Re-Use
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Jan 26: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BJ1 (0.032 AU); Tue Jan 27: Apollo Asteroid 2025 YR1 (0.049 AU); Thu Jan 29: Apollo Asteroid 2026 AS2 (0.015 AU); Sat Jan 31: Apollo Asteroid 2022 OC3 (0.003 AU)
First Woman FLIES to the Moon …
NET (no earlier than)
First Woman LANDS on the Moon …
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Land your name on the Moon!
Sign up to have your name sent to the Moon for FREE on two lunar missions: Astrolab FLIP (summer 2026) and ILO-1 via Astrolab FLEX rover (NET 2027). You will automatically be signed up for our weekly Space Calendar.
Events
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Launch Long March 7A / Unknown Payload
Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, ChinaLaunch window opens 23:55 Beijing Time.
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Submissions Due to Ask Jeremy Hansen a Question During Artemis II Mission
OnlineCanadians may submit a question to be answered during a live video call from space. Question must be submitted by 16:00 EST (UTC-5) at https://forms-formulaires.alpha.canada.ca/en/id/cmkpka0i400cax901vuu4wti5 Selected winners must then make a video recording of their question and send it to CSA-ASC.
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Welcome Event with Astronaut Karen Nyberg for Astronaut Scholarship Recipients
Grand Forks ND, USAScholarship Awards (merit-based) and educational seminar are presented on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and its impact on our world. Open to public, at University of North Dakota Atmospherium, 4:00 PM Central Standard Time.
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Middle East Space Conference 2026: Driving Space Collaboration and Innovation Across the Middle East
Muscat, OmanMESC 2026 at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre dives into essential themes defining the next decade of the regional space landscape in partnership with the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology of Oman, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry executive, innovators and academics to accelerate collaboration and capability-building across […]
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59th Anniversary of Apollo 1
Nationwide USAIncreasing space awareness and education, remembrances and events honor three Apollo 1 crew members lost in 1967 during a launch pad test: Command Pilot Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee.
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Launch Electron / Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A)
Launch Complex 1, ~39°S, Mahia Peninsula, New ZealandLaunch window 11:45-15:00 New Zealand Daylight Time (12:45-16:00 January 26 Hawai'i Time); high-resolution optical camera for South Korea. The NeonSat constellation is the first satellite system developed by the government using a mass-production approach for precise monitoring of the Korean Peninsula, lead by the Satellite Technology Research Center (SaTReC) at […]
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Global Spaceport Alliance Summit: Spaceports – Catalysts for Economic Growth
Orlando FL, USA11th GSA Spaceport Summit will gather global leaders, policymakers, investors and industry experts for Keynote by US Senator Ashley Moody, champion of the New Spaceport Bond Opportunity, and Attorney Kostas Poulakidas on how these bonds are put together. Sessions include: 10-year outlook for spaceports, value of A.I. for spaceports, value […]
$195 – $825 -
Lunar Surface Science Workshop (LSSW #29): Results from Early CLPS Deliveries and Upcoming CLPS Exploration Activities
OnlineFrom 11:00-17:00 EST, with workshop Co-Chairs Maria Banks and Ryan Watkins of NASA; Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative allows rapid acquisition of lunar delivery services from American companies to deliver scientific, exploration and technology payloads to the Moon’s surface and into lunar orbit. The CLPS model offers a unique […]
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Asia Pacific Aerospace Conference & Exhibition (APACE) 2026
Kuching, Sarawak, MalaysiaAPACE 2026 will serve as a premier aerospace event for over 1,000 professionals from more than 50 countries. It aims to establish Sarawak as Borneo’s aerospace hub and a leading player in Asia-Pacific’s aerospace industry. The event combines innovation, sustainability, and regional collaboration to accelerate aerospace growth across the region. […]
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Total Eclipse of the Sun
Global / Inter-GlobalTotal solar eclipse, starts 17:02:06 UTC (07:02:0 HST), will sweep across the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, offering up to 2 minutes of totality; Maximum Eclipse: 17:45:53
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40th Anniversary: Loss of Challenger STS-51L
Nationwide USAEducational and ceremonial events held worldwide to advance space technology / education and honor 7 crew members killed in Shuttle accident 28 January 1986: Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Astronaut Christa McAuliffe (the 1st ‘Teacher in Space’), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and […]
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LSIC Excavation and Construction Monthly Telecon
OnlineMonthly teleconference on Excavation & Construction focus group (LSIC), covering lunar regolith handling, construction techniques, and infrastructure for missions.
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Imaging Planets Orbiting Other Stars: Presentation by Bruce Macintosh
Los Altos CA, USAIllustrated non-technical lecture by Director of the University of California Observatories, at 7:00 PM, free, as part of the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series at Foothill College. 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills,. Live at Smithwick Theater, Dr. Bruce Macintosh, Director of the University of California Observatories, will give […]
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Welcome Event with Astronaut Fred Gregory for Astronaut Scholarship Recipients
Cincinnati OH, USAAstronaut Fred Gregory welcomes recipients of the merit-based scholarships with his insightful life stories, and a seminar is presented on the importance of STEM. Open to Public, at University of Cincinnati Nippert Stadium, 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time.
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SpaceCom | Space Congress and Expo
Orlando FL, USACommercial Space Week Expo (Jan 28-30) and SpaceCom | Space Congress (Jan 29-30): Powering The Next Space Age. Explore the latest hardware, software, and services. Build new partnerships and policies advancing space commerce and sustainability. The program features cutting-edge sessions, federal briefings and procurement strategy sessions, curated networking programs and […]
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5th International Space Industry Exhibition (ISIEX) 2026
Tokyo, JapanIncluding collaborative project "Lunar Development Forum -Nikkanogoyo Moon Press", this exhibition attracts global companies, academic institutions, government agencies, and startups eager to showcase cutting-edge space technologies and foster international cooperation. As a result, ISIEX 2026 becomes the key event for advancing space market development, technology exchange, and commercial partnerships globally. […]
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-19
SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USALaunch window open 07:17-11:17 PST (05:17-09:17 HT)
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 6-101
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window open 23:00 Jan 29 - 03:00 Jan 30 EST (18:00-22:00 Jan 29 HT)
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Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium (LSIC) Surface Power Monthly Telecon
OnlineSubject is Thermal Management for Surface Power Systems with presentation by Sotirios Zormpas of Lunar Outpost on their innovative thermal energy storage system. Via Zoom at https://jhuapl.zoomgov.com/s/1611407987?pwd=TblSLZ0V6hHWPWxvPiGFfC8ELaIW4x.1
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Stability at the Space-Nuclear Nexus
Washington DC, USAInvited experts from nuclear policy, space security, and commercial space to examine the growing risks at the intersection of these domains.
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ILO-C Science Workshop #2
Chiang Mai, ThailandInvitation-only 2nd international workshop to discuss ILO-C instrument being integrated on Chang'E-7 lunar lander for launch August 2026 / landing November 2026; participants from USA, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Hawai'i, India, others will attend.
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Act in Space 2026
OnlineInternational innovation contest -- hackathon -- joined in 100+ cities in 5 continents, aimed at imagining the products and solutions of tomorrow using space data and technology.
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48th Annual AAS Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference
Breckenridge CO, USAContinues until Feb 4; Organized by Rocky Mountain Section of AAS; at Beaver Run Resort; US$225-780.
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68th Anniversary: First Satellite Sent to Space (Explorer 1)
Nationwide USAAmerican Artemis Return to the Moon For Good is underway, Mars attention and planning advancing, Outer Solar System search for life ongoing, and Interstellar craft on outgoing trajectories while first USA satellite launch on this day in 1958 ‘Explorer 1’ is celebrated and remembered.
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AIAA Los Angeles Section Town Hall Meeting
Lawndale CA, USA40th Anniversary Event for the Space Shuttle Challenger Tragedy. Michelle Evans will speak, lead discussion and present 2 of her documentary films: On the Way to the Stars, A Tribute to the Space Shuttle Challenger and the Crew of STS-51L and America's Return to Space. At Lawndale Library, 10:00-15:30 PT.
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Registration Due: Space Systems Technician (SST) Certified Training
Toronto ON, CanadaFoundation for working in satellite systems, clean room assembly or advanced manufacturing, course is certified by Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA); includes online Module 01 (CA$2,000) and in-person / hands-on (CA$2995). https://nasi.world/contact/
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Celebrating 100 Years of Robert Goddard; Entries Due for The Goddard 100 Contest
OnlineEntries Due by 11:59 UTC: Contest for youth ages 9-19 in three divisions, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, for storytelling via comic strip or infographic and essay, describing the future of space travel, space propulsion or interplanetary travel. Robert Goddard is called the father of modern rocketry, accomplishing the first flight […]
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5th Anniversary of Tianwen-1 Orbiter Entering Mars Orbit
Mars OrbitChina Tianwen-1 orbiter reaches 5 full years of operations in Mars orbit; Lander & Rover touched down ~3 months after this date at Utopia Planitia 25.1°N, 109.9°E; launched July 2020, reached orbit 2021.
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 6-103
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window open 18:04-22:04 EST (13:04-17:04 HT)
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23rd Anniversary: Loss of Columbia STS-107
Nationwide USAAnnual international conferences and events take place to further space exploration efforts in remembrance of Columbia 7 loss: Commander Richard D. Husband, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon (the ‘1st Israeli astronaut’) and Astronauts: William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown and Kalpana Chawla (the ‘1st […]
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Astronaut Chris Ferguson Greets Astronaut Scholarship Recipients
Philadelphia PA, USAPlus seminar on importance of STEM. Open to public, 4:15 PM EST, Nesbitt Hall Room 111, Drexel University. Chris Ferguson helped install ISS segment, spent more than 40 days in Space.
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Singapore Space Summit 2026
Marina Bay Sands / Sands Expo and Convention Centre, SingaporeConference with exhibition, highlighting trends, challenges and opportunities in the global space industry. Space agency reps from NASA, ESA, JAXA, UAE, Philippines, Germany, Brazil, Malaysia and Thailand are expected. As the only space show in Singapore endorsed by the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Office for Space Technology & Industry […]
S$1,550
