USA Campaign 2020: Multipartisan Space Future an Earth-Moon Development

Continuity for cis-lunar development will require Democrat leadership buy-in. Jan 20 marks 1-year from the next USA presidential Inauguration Day, as well as Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin 90th birthday. A change in administration may necessitate a balanced approach to maintain national interest, support and funding for the space program. An emphasis on terrestrial benefits (ecological, economic, social) of space activity may assist in maintaining mission commitment for Artemis – lynchpin to reaching Jupiter, Mars, Ad Astra ‘to the Stars’. Long term Earth observation will be critical to mitigation of human caused climate change and other environmental concerns – communication of this interplay between space technology and conservation to the public is vital. NASA administrator Bridenstine pledge to send “the first woman and the next man” to Earth’s Moon is of similar importance, as values of diversity, equality and inclusiveness manifest. Space exploration could also be seen as the ultimate Green New Deal infrastructure project, not without historical precedent: former VP Biden has stated about his parties’ involvement in the Apollo program, “the objective was not just to go to the Moon… it was to get another 435,000 engineers and scientists and mathematicians.” JFK said, “space achievement… in many ways may hold the key to our future on Earth.” The unifying theme of In Peace For All is perhaps more timely than ever – a pact to keep war off Luna, as nations have done on Antarctica, would resonate. (Image Credits: NASA)

MONDAY

Jan 20 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink 3, LC-40, Cape Canaveral AFS FL: Launch of fourth batch of ~60 satellites for SpaceX Starlink broadband network;12:20 EST

India Joint Symposium On Human Spaceflight Opens In Bengaluru

The Indian Space Research Organization, along with the International Academy of Astronautics and the Astronautical Society of India, host the first IAA-ISRO-ASI Joint Symposium on Human Spaceflight Program in Bengaluru January 22-24. Space experts from many nations will gather to discuss present challenges and future trends in human spaceflight. On Jan 22, after opening ceremonies, a Heads of Space Agencies panel will include (L to R) K. Sivan of ISRO, Sergei Krikalev Director of Manned Spaceflight for Roscosmos, and Joel Montalbano, Deputy ISS Program Manager. On Jan 23 Sergei Krikalev will be part of an astronaut panel including Jean-Francois Clervoy of France, Thomas Reiter of ESA, Joel Montalbano and possibly others. With Chandrayaan-2 successfully in lunar orbit, and the Vikram lander impacting the surface, ISRO is proceeding at full speed with Chandrayaan-3. The new lander and rover, planned for Nov 2020 launch, will use Chandrayaan-2 as a communications relay. As the orbiter is in polar orbit, Chandrayaan-3 is expected to land in the south polar region. Sini Susan Varghese (R) talks about benefits of the Gaganyaan crewed mission. P. Sreekumar (R) is outgoing head of ISRO Space Science Program Office. Four India astronaut candidates are undergoing training with Roscosmos in Russia. K. Sivan announces that Gaganyaan will be followed by an Indian space station. ISRO has also been in talks with JAXA to cooperate on a Lunar Polar Exploration Mission in 2024. (Image Credits: ISRO, NASA, ESA, India Institute Technology)

Jan 20 — Observation of Buzz Aldrin 90th Birthday,

Jan 20 — USA Current Administration Begins 4th Year in Office, Washington DC / Nationwide: Current Administration begins its 4th year in office – continues goals of 2024 Artemis Human Moon Landing, First Women and Men to Moon South Pole and advancing Space Policies Directives.

Jan 20-22 — Royal Society, London, United Kingdom: Ice Giant Systems 2020 Workshop; at Burlington House.

Jan 20-22 — University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom: Workshop: New Star Formation Across the Universe.

Jan 20-24 — Indian Institute of Technology – Indore, Indore, India: International Conference: Observing The First Billion Years of the Universe Using Next Generation Telescopes.

Jan 20 — Moon: 7.0° NNE of Antares, 08:00; n 2.21° NNE of Mars, 11:00.

Jan 20 — Apollo Asteroid 2020 AQ1: Near-Earth Flyby (0.026 AU)

Jan 20 — Apollo Asteroid 2013 DU: Near-Earth Flyby (0.038 AU)

Continued from…

Jan 13 – Feb 14 — International Space University, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia: Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2020; live-in experience built around an International, Intercultural and Interdisciplinary (3 “I”s) educational philosophy.

Jan 18-31 — ESA / ILEWG, PISCES, International MoonBase Alliance, 2,500 meters, Mauna Loa HI: 3rd EuroMoonMars Mission (EMMIHS-III) in HI-SEAS Habitat for simulated Moon-Mars mission with 6-member crew.

Jan 19-22 — Pacific Telecommunications Council, Honolulu HI: PTC’20: 2020 Vision and Beyond; Pacific Rim premier telecommunications event.

Jan 19-24 — Gordon Research Conference (GRC), Galveston TX: GRC Origins of Life – Challenging the Perceptions of the Requirements for Life on Earth and Other Worlds.