★ Ad Astra with Aloha to Space Age Editor / Publisher Steve Durst ★
Space Calendar will continue to aim for weekly publication through 2076 to honor the dedicated, visionary Founding Editor Steve Durst; operating since 1976, in Hawaii and California, Space Age Publishing Company is dedicated to human expansion into the Cosmos and transcendence to a multi-planet species, while pursuing a business plan consistent with establishing a third office on the Moon; Steve leaves behind a legacy and influence that will be missed and not forgotten.
Mars Update: Hope Begins 6th Year in Orbit; Perseverance Rover Tests A.I.
First interplanetary mission from Arab world, Hope orbiter, begins 6th year at Mars this week, studying atmosphere / weather of Mars and transmitting data to MBRSC in UAE—which shares it freely with more than 200 research institutes globally. Other active Mars orbiters are: NASA Odyssey, in 25th year, maps chemicals / minerals; ESA Express, in 23rd year, radar-maps surface / subsurface; ESA / Roscosmos TGO, in 10th year, investigates atmosphere trace gases; CNSA Tianwen-1, in 6th year, examines surface / subsurface plus solar wind / interstellar objects; NASA MRO, in 21st year, uses high-resolution camera for water search / assisting landers, provides data relay for rovers including NASA Perseverance. This rover now drives Jezero Crater rim on A.I.-generated routes, saving many hours of human planning, and enters 6th year at Mars on February 18 hunting for signs of life / collecting samples. The other operational rover, NASA Curiosity, in 14th year, studies habitability of Gale Crater. NASA EscaPADE twin orbiters will arrive 2027 to study magnetosphere / atmosphere. SpaceX uncrewed Starship will arrive 2027 if launched December 2026, which is also when JAXA plans launch of MMX sample return craft to Mars moon Phobos. These missions enable study for future human exploration and theories of planetary evolution / past habitability. (Image Credits: NASA, National Space Society)
SmallSat Symposium in Silicon Valley Highlights Innovations and Networking
The small satellite sector has matured into industrial-scale deployment, with LEO constellations resulting from explosive growth. Market forecasts show the smallsat industry continuing to expand rapidly, with projections pointing to US$10s of billions in value by 2030 amid falling launch costs and reusable systems. Over 2,500 small satellites are expected to launch annually in coming years to support mega-constellations. New players are scaling fast: Astranis advances its MicroGEO lineup, with Omega broadband satellites entering production in 2026. Capella Space continues expanding its SAR imaging constellation, delivering all-weather, high-resolution data for government and commercial users. Planet Labs operates one of the largest Earth-imaging constellations above the world, with hundreds of Dove and SuperDove satellites providing daily imagery. Muon Space has multiple government and commercial missions launching in 2026, including wildfire detection and RF analytics. The SmallSat Symposium February 10-12 expects to be an innovation epicenter, with startups and established firms forming new partnerships, business models and architectures. The Symposium convenes 900+ attendees, 100+ exhibitors and 125+ presenters, this year including U.S. Space Development Agency keynote and former DARPA Director Victoria Coleman, and speakers from Rocket Lab, Vast, Amazon, Eutelsat, Thales Alenia, KSAT, Redwire, the FCC and Aerospace Corporation. At the Computer History Museum in Mountain View CA and online, the Symposium offers deep technical insights, market analyses and high-stakes networking as smallsats help shape the future of space. (Image Credits: SmallSat Symposium)
Humans in Space
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew of 3—Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev—conducting final preparations for SpaceX Crew-12 docking NET February 11, including review of approach-monitoring tool and rendezvous procedure; performing routine science-hardware maintenance; collecting biomedical data; packing cargo to be stowed on Dragon; executing exercise protocols; verifying life-support systems; imaging Earth.
Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew—Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, Zhang Hongzhang—conducting lower-limb muscle-force stimulation tests with bionic adhesive shoes to assess microgravity effects; performing medical examinations, including dynamic electrocardiogram, blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound scans, bone density measurements and hearing assessments; advancing pharmacokinetics studies on drug metabolism in orbit; maintaining cabin environment via wind speed, temperature and noise monitoring; continuing routine exercise, system inspections and experiment operations after over three months in orbit with all crew in stable health.
Lunar Enterprise News: Blue Origin pauses space tourism to concentrate on Moon missions, redirecting resources toward human lunar capabilities for at least the next 2 years to assist USA goals of establishing a sustained lunar presence.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Feb 9: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BY1 (0.025 AU); Thu Feb 12: Apollo Asteroid 2022 DV (0.039 AU); Sat Feb 14: Aten Asteroid 1999 AO10 (0.026 AU); Sat Feb 14: Apollo Asteroid 162882 (2001 FD58) (0.043 AU)
The First Woman FLIES to the Moon …
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First Woman LANDS on the Moon …
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Sign up to have your name sent to the Moon for FREE on two lunar missions: Astrolab FLIP (NET summer 2026) and ILO-1 via Astrolab FLEX rover (NET 2027). You will automatically be signed up for our weekly Space Calendar.
UAE Hope Orbiter, studying Mars atmosphere and climate, reaches 5 full years in Mars orbit today; launched July 19, 2020 on JAXA H2A rocket, arrived at Mars on this day 2021.
The conference will focus on the latest developments and future trends in aerospace science and astronomy. Topics range from satellite technology innovation to deep space exploration missions and new astronomical discoveries and theoretical breakthroughs. Attendees will discuss how to use modern technology to solve problems in aerospace engineering, and explore the […]
Launch window 06:00-10:00 PST (04:00-08:00 HT) for 25 satellites; first stage Booster B1081 expected to land for 22nd time on OCISLY ASDS barge in Pacific Ocean.
Webinar, 15:30-17:00 Central European Time (UTC+1) (04:30-06:00 HT), to discuss ongoing issues and future activities involved in European access to space. 8 presenters include people from Arianespace, ESA, Exolaunch, Isar, PLD Space, ESPI.
Intensive 3-day forum for: Gaining front-line insight into new missions, business models and launch architectures; Securing meaningful, one-on-one connections with decision-makers and funders; Positioning yourself and your company at the heart of the global small-satellite ecosystem. Unlock the business and financial knowledge required to leverage smallsat innovation and cutting-edge technology […]
The Moon is a primary focus for space activities around the world in the coming decades, including orbiters, landers, rovers, human activities, science, and both short- and long-duration missions evolving into a sustainable ecosystem. These activities are driving a need for infrastructure to provide consistent, precise, real-time lunar Positioning, Navigation […]
11:30-13:00 EST, with Jim Bridenstine, Managing Partner for The Artemis Group, the 13th Administrator of NASA, where he was responsible for managing its 70,000-person workforce and $23 billion annual budget.
2 identical satellites, GSSAP-7 and GSSAP-8 (Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program) to near-geosynchronous orbit ~36,000km above Earth equator, contributing to timely and accurate orbital predictions, further enabling space flight safety including satellite collision avoidance. Vulcan Centaur VC4S is a 2-stage-to-orbit heavy-lift rocket, developed to replace ULA Atlas V and ULA […]
Launching 13:56 UTC+5 (22:56 on February 11 HT) for meteorological satellites to capture images of clouds and underlying Earth surface, and to collect and measure heliogeophysical and hydrometeorological data; launching on a 4-stage heavy-lift rocket
Launching NET 05:15 EST (00:15 HT); SpaceX Crew-12 is the 12th crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA Commercial Crew Program; includes NASA Astronauts Commander Jessica Meir and Pilot Jack Hathaway, and Flight Engineers Sophie Adenot from France and Andrei […]
The annual Maunakea Coin Contest is open to all Big Island students in grades K to 12, including homeschooled children. The 2026 Maunakea Coin Contest opens on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The deadline to enter is Friday, February 13, 2026.
Launch window midnight - 04:00 PST (22:00 Feb 13 - 04:00 Feb 14 HT) for 25 satellites; first-stage Booster B1100 expected to make 3rd landing on OCISLY ASDS in the Pacific Ocean
And seminar on importance of STEM. Open to public, 1:00 PM CST, Bell Museum at University of Minnesota. Bob Cabana was on Shuttle missions including the 1st ISS assembly mission, and launch of Ulysses spacecraft to Jupiter and the Sun.
A major European meeting on planetary science. Originally known as the European Planetary Science Congress, the first EPSC was held in Berlin in 2006....
At Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC); Chair is Saeed Al Mansoori of MBRSC; Co-Chair is Gerard Galet of CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)...
To tackle one of the space sector’s most pressing challenges. 3rd Zero Debris Future Symposium (September 8-9) and the Zero Debris Technical Sessions (September...
Inaugural event to convene researchers, policymakers and practitioners to advance understanding of self-sufficient structures in extreme environments, including the Moon. Begins September 11 at...
Industry tour of Denver space companies Friday 08:30-12:00; Astronauts Eileen Collins and Scott Kelly present at the Saturday event, 17:00-20:30. At Inverness Denver Hilton...
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, ~5°N, French Guiana
Launch to SSO for 3rd satellite in the Sentinel-3 constellation for optical, radar and altimetry data and for Fluorescence Explorer ("FLEX") of ESA Earth...
In conjunction with The Space Innovation Summit (September 16) and the Space Defense & Security Summit (September 15-16). The summit consists of the Summit...
Launch Complex 1, ~39°S, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
(Estimated Date) Planned demonstration of in-space cryogenic storage and transferal by Eta Space and funded by NASA Tipping Point. Expected to be in orbit...
At Cleveland State University; Topics to be discussed include Exploration Architecture, Artemis program, Space Traffic Management, Space Nuclear Power, Navigation and Communications and more!
27th year of this top scientific conference in the USA devoted to Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) expects 1,000+ in-person...
Ohio Space Week celebrates the state’s deep-rooted contributions to the aeronautics and space industries, highlighting the people, institutions, and businesses that continue to shape...
In preparation for its decommissioning, United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) atop Mauna Kea will stop science operations today, with removal to be completed by...
Global Experts Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities continues discussions on ongoing workstreams and priorities related to the sustainable exploration and use of the Moon,...
Oslo Spaceport Norway offers monthly a knowledgeable speaker and opportunity for networking, 17:00-20:00 local time; free entry but registration required. Ground Control is for...
In conjunction with Novaspace’s World Space Business Week and Space Defense & Security Summit at the Hôtel du Collectionneur. Building on the success of...
International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew of 3—Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev—conducting final preparations for SpaceX Crew-12 docking NET February 11, including review of approach-monitoring tool and rendezvous procedure; performing routine science-hardware maintenance; collecting biomedical data; packing cargo to be stowed on Dragon; executing exercise protocols; verifying life-support systems; imaging Earth.
Lunar Enterprise News: Blue Origin pauses space tourism to concentrate on Moon missions, redirecting resources toward human lunar capabilities for at least the next 2 years to assist USA goals of establishing a sustained lunar presence.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Feb 9: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BY1 (0.025 AU); Thu Feb 12: Apollo Asteroid 2022 DV (0.039 AU); Sat Feb 14: Aten Asteroid 1999 AO10 (0.026 AU); Sat Feb 14: Apollo Asteroid 162882 (2001 FD58) (0.043 AU) 
