Supporting Humans in Space, on the Moon: Meetings Focus on Lunar Surface Science and Commons in Space
As 2021 new USA Administration plans for February 23 (TBD) State of the Union Address, hopefully including thoughts for strategic Artemis Moon / USA in Space 2020s decade planning, the only humans in LEO continue their work aboard ISS while on the ground, others advance exploration infrastructures. The 8th Lunar Surface Science Workshop, themed ‘Structuring Real-Time Science Support of Artemis Crewed Operations’ and chaired by (TL) José Hurtado and Kelsey Young will run February 24-25. There will be >35 lectures, 2 Sessions on Analogs and 2 Breakout Sessions cover topics on modernizing lessons and support tools from Apollo, Constellation, Shuttle program, ISS EVAs, EuroMoonMars, Pangaea astronaut training, Desert Research and Technology Studies, and Haughton-Mars Project analog site on Devon Island, High Arctic. On Feb 24-26, Commons in Space Conference 2021 is being held online hosted by International Association for the Study of the Commons, ASU, University of Arizona, Open Lunar Foundation and Indiana University Bloomington. It will discuss orbital space congestion, celestial mining and dark night sky, building beyond Antarctica and High Sea regulations to promote fair use of space resources, knowledge and innovations. The Conference Steering Committee includes (BL-R) Timiebi Aganaba-Jeanty of ASU, Alice Gorman of Flinders University, Jessy Kate Schingler of Open Lunar Foundation, Menelisi Falayi of Rhodes University, and Akhil Rao of Middlebury College. (Image Credits: NASA, LPI, ASU, Beyond Earth, et al)
USA State of Union Address Appeal
Artemis and the First Woman on the Moon significant, historic achievement should be high priority for President Biden and First Woman VP Harris
MONDAY
Highlights… Feb 22 — ISS, ~405-km LEO: Expedition 64 crew of 7 with Sergey Ryzhikov as Commander planning for cargo operations and working with experiments involving antimicrobial coatings, combustion, plant water management, vascular 13-hour monitoring.
Southeast Asia Increasingly Focused on Space Industry, Science, Exploration
Singapore, a hub of technology and commerce in SEA, is host to Pre-Global Space & Technology Convention (GSTC) Workshops and Seminars February 25 in Hybrid format – joining carefully orchestrated in-person exchanges with online participation. The day starts with Global Navigation Satellite System Workshop, featuring GNSS Innovation Challenge – design competition to utilize differential Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT) technology to aid in caring for elderly, special needs or animal companions with US$4k in prizes. 3rd Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop, co-hosted by International Lunar Observatory Association of Hawai’i, will concentrate on business communication on and around the Moon – an endeavor which will increase the sphere of commercial communications more than 1000X. Workshops on Global Air Traffic Management, Global Maritime Traffic Management, Project Cyclotron and Startup Pitching will also be conducted. In Thailand, Science Minister Anek Laothamatas has announced plans for GISTDA to construct 50-100kg satellites within 4 years and a 300kg ion thruster propelled spacecraft capable of achieving lunar orbit within 7, with $100.2M budget. President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo is hoping to attract international launch providers including SpaceX to the spaceport under construction by Indonesia National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) on Biak Island, Papua. Vietnam National Space Center is working with State Space Agency of Ukraine to develop capabilities after Jan 25 MoU signing and Malaysia makes strides through recently merged Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency / National Space Agency, now Malaysian Space Agency. (Image Credits: SSTL, ILOA)
Feb 22 — ISS, Cygnus NG-15 Rendezvous, 405-km LEO: Northrop Grumman 16th Cygnus cargo freighter (on 15th operational flight) dubbed S.S. Katherine Johnson to arrive at ISS and be captured 04:30 EST; live coverage available.
Feb 24 — Institute of Physics (IOP) Manchester and District Branch, Online / United Kingdom: Lecture: Analogue Moon.
Feb 24 — AIAA Greater Huntsville Section, Online / Huntsville AL: Challenges and Benefits of Excavation and Construction on the Moon; presentation by Dr. Jennifer Edmunson, project manager of lunar construction project Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology at NASA MSFC; 16:00-17:00 CST.
Feb 24-26 — International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC), Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Open Lunar Foundation, Indiana University Bloomington, Online / Tempe AZ: IASC 2021 Commons in Space Virtual Conference; featuring Timiebi Aganaba-Jeanty, Alice Gorman, Jessy Kate Schingler, Menelisi Falayi, Steven Freeland, more.
Feb 24 — Moon: 2.64° NNE of Beehive Cluster, 17:00.
Feb 26 — Institute of Physics (IOP), Online / United Kingdom: Discussion Panel: Space Travel Across the Decades and Beyond; with Jim Green (NASA), Günther Hasinger (ESA), Mikhail Marov (Former Scientific Secretary of Soviet Space Council), Gu Yidong (China Manned Space Programme), Astronaut Mae Jemison, Astronaut Rakesh Sharma, Caroline Harper (UK Space Agency).
Feb 26 — Moon: 4.3° NNE of Regulus, 08:00; Full (Snow Moon), 22:18.
SATURDAY
Feb 27 — American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), Online: AAVSO Webinar: Dr. Luisa Rebull, “Stellar Rotation in Young Clusters using K2 and TESS” and Dr. Margarita Karovska, “Why is it important to observe/monitor LPVs?”; starting 19:00 UTC.
SUNDAY
Feb 28 — ISRO, Launch PSLV / Amazônia 1, Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India: India PSLV, designated PSLV-C51, to launch Amazônia 1 Earth observation satellite for Brazil.
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...
The International Research Conference is a federated organization dedicated to bringing together a significant number of diverse scholarly events for presentation within the conference...
Includes ~150 meetings covering the fields of COSPAR Scientific Commissions / Panels / Task Groups, such as SC B: The Earth-Moon System, Planets, and...
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...
NASA Curiosity (Mars Science Laboratory) rover surpasses another full year of operations on Mars surface today; launched Nov 26, 2011 – landed Aug 5,...
This international lunar science meeting has two objectives: to provide a platform for leading experts to review recent advances across lunar research, from the...
At CSIR International Convention Centre. Key topics are Earth Observation, Developing Space Tourism, Space Supply Manufacturing. Cultural tours are offered.
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...
"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...
Includes presentation of the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence, activities for the new class of Astronaut Scholars, 2-day Technical Conference where Scholars present their...
Key themes include: Characterizing exoplanet-host solar-like stars; Star-planet interactions; Planet populations around solar-like stars. At University of Liège.
USA State of Union Address Appeal 
Feb 22 — ISS, ~405-km LEO: Expedition 64 crew of 7 with Sergey Ryzhikov as Commander planning for cargo operations and working with experiments involving antimicrobial coatings, combustion, plant water management, vascular 13-hour monitoring.
Feb 22 — NewSpace: 
Feb 22 — USA: Colorado School of Mines to offer 
= All times
= 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’).
Singapore, a hub of technology and commerce in SEA, is host to Pre-Global Space & Technology Convention (GSTC) Workshops and Seminars February 25 in Hybrid format – joining carefully orchestrated in-person exchanges with online participation. The day starts with Global Navigation Satellite System Workshop, featuring GNSS Innovation Challenge – design competition to utilize differential Singapore Satellite Positioning Reference Network (SiReNT) technology to aid in caring for elderly, special needs or animal companions with US$4k in prizes. 3rd Lunar Commercial Communications Workshop, co-hosted by International Lunar Observatory Association of Hawai’i, will concentrate on business communication on and around the Moon – an endeavor which will increase the sphere of commercial communications more than 1000X. Workshops on Global Air Traffic Management, Global Maritime Traffic Management, Project Cyclotron and Startup Pitching will also be conducted. In Thailand, Science Minister Anek Laothamatas has announced plans for GISTDA to construct 50-100kg satellites within 4 years and a 300kg ion thruster propelled spacecraft capable of achieving lunar orbit within 7, with $100.2M budget. President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo is hoping to attract international launch providers including SpaceX to the spaceport under construction by Indonesia National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) on Biak Island, Papua. Vietnam National Space Center is working with State Space Agency of Ukraine to develop capabilities after Jan 25 MoU signing and Malaysia makes strides through recently merged Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency / National Space Agency, now Malaysian Space Agency. (Image Credits: SSTL, ILOA)
