September 8-14, 2025 / Vol 44, No 36 / Hawai`i Island, USA
Lunar Broadcast Precursor: Terrestrial Edition

SpaceX to Soon Surpass 100 Launches for 2025 Including Upcoming  Nusantara Lima for Indonesia, SDA Tranche 1 and ISS Resupply

With over 13,000 employees fueling innovation, SpaceX is spearheading transformation of humanity into a multi-world species—starting with lunar footholds, then extending across the Solar System. NET September 8 from Cape Canaveral FL, SpaceX will loft the Nusantara Lima satellite boosting regional broadband. Nusantara means the “outer islands,” referring to the Indonesia Archipelago, and Lima means “five.” The 5,550-kg (dry) payload is an HTS (high-throughput satellite) for communications, built by Boeing and expected to operate for at least 15 years. Set for launch Sep 10 from Vandenberg SFS, the SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer B mission is to improve connectivity in polar orbit. Launching Sep 15 for International Space Station resupply is SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the Northrop Grumman NG-23 Cygnus with vital supplies. SpaceX also resupplies the ISS, with its reusable CRS Dragon craft that carries ~3,300 kg of provisions / experiments to the ISS and returns about the same amount of cargo back to Earth. In 2025 alone, 77 Falcon 9 launches have placed 1,900 Starlink satellites in orbit, pushing toward ubiquitous internet including polar regions, with total SpaceX launches likely to break the 2024 record of 134. Following the recent Starship Flight 10 success, SpaceX has renewed its hope for up to 25 annual launches, with the first from Florida possibly late this year—advancing reusable tech for lunar cargo and more. (Image Credit: SpaceX)

MONDAY

Sep 8 — International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 73 seven members and three members of SpaceX Crew-11 are working with experiments for muscle / bone studies, bioprinted liver tissue and bio-monitor headbands, as well as ~3,000 kg of cargo from SpaceX Dragon; preparing for the arrival of Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo craft early next week.

Sep 8 — Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou 20 three-member crew, Commander Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, performing life sciences, human research, microgravity physics, and new space tech demos; expecting arrival of Shenzhou 21 crew in about 6 weeks.

☾ Sep 8 — Moon Enterprise News: Weekly lunar advisories coming soon….

★ Sep 8 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Nusantara Lima, SLC 40, Cape Canaveral SFS FL: Nusantara Lima is a geostationary communications satellite with capacity of more than 160 Gbps, built by Boeing for Indonesia as complement to SATRIA-1.

● Sep 8-10 — American Astronautical Society, NASA, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio Space Week, Cleveland OH: 2025 AAS Glenn Space Technology Symposium: Accelerating Aerospace Innovation; at Case Western and online; US$20-875.

● Sep 8-14 — Great Lakes Science Center, American Astronautical Society, NASA, Cleveland OH: Ohio Space Week & NASA Discovery Days with special guest Sunita “Suni” Williams; also, Happy Hour and Space Forum.

● Sep 8-14 — Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, KSC FL: Meet Astronauts: Kathy Thornton or Woody Spring.

☾ Sep 8 — Moon: 3.5° NNW of Saturn and within circle of diameter 3.52° also with Neptune, 08:00.

☆ Sep 8 — Apollo Asteroid 2025 QB12: Near-Earth Flyby (0.057 AU)

TUESDAY

● Sep 9-11 — xFoundry, Amazon, SpaceCom, NASA, Arlington VA: NEXPLORE 2040 Summit; visionaries across Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts & Athletics, Marketing and Science (TEAMS) to pioneer solutions for sustainable space habitats and the future of long-duration human spaceflight.

☆ Sep 9 — Apollo Asteroid 2019 JG1: Near-Earth Flyby (0.048 AU)

= Terrestrial and o = International terrestrial events in local time;  = Moon, = Space and = International space events in Hawai’i time unless noted.

Weekly Planet Watch Morning Planets: Venus (E), Jupiter (E), Saturn (E), Uranus (E), Neptune (E); Evening Planet: Mars (W).

First Ohio Space Week: Features Suni Williams, AAS Glenn Space Technology Symposium, More

Ohio Space Week 2025, September 8-13 in Cleveland, celebrates Ohio aerospace from the Wright brothers to the present, drawing participants from across the USA and internationally to accelerate innovation. This inaugural week unites government, industry and academia and incorporates multiple events. September 8-10, American Astronautical Society (AAS) Glenn Space Technology Symposium is in its 7th year and expects 200+ attendees from 10+ states / countries for sessions on innovation in power systems, communications, AI applications and more. Included are a pitch competition, and Astronaut Doug Wheelock for a luncheon keynote. Its organizing committee of 30+ are from NASA, industry and universities. September 11 is the Ohio Space Forum, with speakers to address increasing the statewide space industry, as well as The City Club of Cleveland luncheon with NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Doug Wheelock on the subject Space Exploration for the Benefit of All. September 12-13, NASA Discovery Days at Great Lakes Science Center is free and draws thousands. Sunita “Suni” Williams presents September 12, and Doug Wheelock is present both days. Featured are interactive exhibits like driving a rover, Augmented / Virtual Reality headsets, Mars habitat demos and trying on Smithsonian spacesuits.  Together, these events build upon the Ohio legacy of the 1962 NASA fair and the “all-Ohio” STS-70 Space Shuttle mission and propel contributions to human space exploration. (Image Credits: AAS, OSW, NASA, et al)

 

Ongoing…

● Jun 10 – Sep 30 — Adventures in Astronomy, Online / Bridgeport CT: Adventures in Astronomy-Approaching Infinity; 17 Zoom classes with George Roush.

Aug 25 – Oct 1 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Online / Reston VA: Orbital Mechanics and Mission Simulation Course; instructor Ken Ernandes of L3Harris and Florida Institute of Technology.

Aug 26 – Sep 15 — NASA, Online / Washington DC: Accepting Proposals for 2026 Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

☆ NET Sep — Rocket Factory Augsburg, Launch RFA One / TBD, SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland Islands, ScotlandRFA.space plans inaugural orbital launch since receiving vertical launch license from UK Civil Aviation Authority.

o Sep 7-12 — EuroPlanet, American Astronomical Society, Helsinki, Finland: EPSC-DPS 2025 (EuroPlanet Science Congress); includes session TP11 Lunar Space Environment.

★ NET Q3 — United Launch Alliance, Launch Vulcan VC4L / Dream Chaser CRS2 Flight 1, SLC41, Cape Canaveral SFS FL: Uncrewed Sierra Space ~9-meter-long space plane to deliver ~3,500kg of cargo to ISS, whose Astronauts will use Canadarm2 to grapple and dock it.

WEDNESDAY

Sep 10 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer B, SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB CA: Space Development Agency mission to polar orbit for increased connectivity.

● Sep 10 — NASA, Online / Houston TX: RSVP Due: Briefings for media representatives on Artemis II mission; to be held Sep 23-24.

☾ Sep 10 — Moon: At perigee, distance 364,767 km, 02:14.

☆ Sep 10 — Apollo Asteroid 2025 QV9: Near-Earth Flyby (0.013 AU)

THURSDAY

 Sep 11 — Roscosmos, Launch Soyuz 2.1a / Progress MS-32 (93P), Baikonur Cosmodrome 31/6, Kazakhstan: Resupply mission to the International Space Station from spaceport operated by Russia within Kazakhstan.

☆ Sep 11 — Apollo Asteroid 2009 FF: Near-Earth Flyby (0.017 AU)

FRIDAY

Sep 12 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Rocky Mountain Section, Colorado Springs CO: Annual Technical Symposium.

☾ Sep 12 — Moon: 0.99° N of Pleiades, 13:00; within circle of diameter 5.27° with Uranus and the Pleiades, 14:00; 5.3° N of Uranus, 15:00.

☆ Sep 12 — Apollo Asteroid 2025 QL11: Near-Earth Flyby (0.015 AU)

SATURDAY

★ Sep 13 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-10, SLC-4E, Vandenberg SFB CA: Satellites for mega-constellation.

Sep 13 — Mars: 2.17° NNE of Spica, 07:00.

☆ Sep 13 — Apollo Asteroid 2022 SS2: Near-Earth Flyby (0.006 AU)

SUNDAY

● Sep 14-16 — Space Generation Advisory Council, AMOS, Maui, Hawai’i: 8th annual EMER-GEN® Program; mentoring and networking on space careers for young professionals and students; US$345-445.

o Sep 14-19 — Imperial College London, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, London, United Kingdom: 39th International Electric Propulsion Conference (IEPC): Electric Propulsion, a Gateway to the Cosmos; topics include Lessons from BepiColombo and On-Orbit Operations.

☾ Sep 14 — Moon: At last quarter, 00:34; 4.2° N of M35 cluster, 20:00.

☆ Sep 14 — Amor Asteroid 2025 QV6: Near-Earth Flyby (0.046 AU)

06 - 11 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
The Hague, The Netherlands
A major European meeting on planetary science. Originally known as the European Planetary Science Congress, the first EPSC was held in Berlin in 2006....
08 Sep - 09 Nov 2026
  • Launch
Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, China
Unknown payload to launch on Long March 2D with YZ-3 upper stage variant.
08 - 10 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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)...
08 - 11 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Seville, Spain
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...
09 Sep 2026
  • Launch
Baikonur Cosmodrome, ~46°N, Kazakhstan
Resupply mission to launch to ISS and arrive within 3.5 hours.
09 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
6:00-7:30 pm ET, featuring Shatel Bhakta — Principal Systems Engineer for Moon Base, NASA; Wes Fuhrman — Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative, Johns Hopkins University...
11 - 13 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
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...
11 - 12 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Denver CO, USA
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...
12 - 13 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
The conference will again be virtual, and will be held at times to accommodate attendees worldwide on at least one of the two days.
14 Sep 2026
  • Observation / Anniversary
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Campbell was first appointed in September 2020. She was reappointed for an additional year, 14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2026. It is rare that...
14 Sep 2026
  • Launch
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...
14 - 17 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Paris, France
In conjunction with The Space Innovation Summit (September 16) and the Space Defense & Security Summit (September 15-16). The summit consists of the Summit...
15 Sep 2026
  • Launch
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...
15 - 16 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Cleveland OH, USA
At Cleveland State University; Topics to be discussed include Exploration Architecture, Artemis program, Space Traffic Management, Space Nuclear Power, Navigation and Communications and more!
15 - 18 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Maui HI, USA
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...
15 - 17 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
West Lafayette, Indiana
Planning for 2.5 days of hybrid oral sessions and an in-person poster session. There will be no registration fee. Some travel support will be...
15 - 19 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Cleveland OH, USA
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...
15 - 16 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Paris, France
Held in conjunction with the Space Innovation Summit and World Space Business Week.
15 Sep 2026
  • Mission Milestone
Mauna Kea, Hawai’i
In preparation for its decommissioning, United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) atop Mauna Kea will stop science operations today, with removal to be completed by...
16 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Online
Global Experts Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities continues discussions on ongoing workstreams and priorities related to the sustainable exploration and use of the Moon,...
16 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Oslo, Norway
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...
16 Sep 2026
  • Meeting / Conference / Symposium
Paris, France
In conjunction with Novaspace’s World Space Business Week and Space Defense & Security Summit at the Hôtel du Collectionneur. Building on the success of...
06 - 11 Sep 2026
A major European meeting on planetary science. Originally known as the European Planetary Science Congress,...
The Hague, The Netherlands
08 Sep - 09 Nov 2026
Unknown payload to launch on Long March 2D with YZ-3 upper stage variant.
Jiuquan Space Launch Center, ~41°N, Gansu, China
08 - 10 Sep 2026
At Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC); Chair is Saeed Al Mansoori of MBRSC; Co-Chair...
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
08 - 11 Sep 2026
To tackle one of the space sector’s most pressing challenges. 3rd Zero Debris Future Symposium...
Seville, Spain
09 Sep 2026
Resupply mission to launch to ISS and arrive within 3.5 hours.
Baikonur Cosmodrome, ~46°N, Kazakhstan
09 Sep 2026
6:00-7:30 pm ET, featuring Shatel Bhakta — Principal Systems Engineer for Moon Base, NASA; Wes...
Online
11 - 13 Sep 2026
Inaugural event to convene researchers, policymakers and practitioners to advance understanding of self-sufficient structures in...
Online
11 - 12 Sep 2026
Industry tour of Denver space companies Friday 08:30-12:00; Astronauts Eileen Collins and Scott Kelly present...
Denver CO, USA
12 - 13 Sep 2026
The conference will again be virtual, and will be held at times to accommodate attendees...
Online
14 Sep 2026
Campbell was first appointed in September 2020. She was reappointed for an additional year, 14...
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
14 Sep 2026
Launch to SSO for 3rd satellite in the Sentinel-3 constellation for optical, radar and altimetry...
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, ~5°N, French Guiana
14 - 17 Sep 2026
In conjunction with The Space Innovation Summit (September 16) and the Space Defense & Security...
Paris, France
15 Sep 2026
(Estimated Date) Planned demonstration of in-space cryogenic storage and transferal by Eta Space and funded...
Launch Complex 1, ~39°S, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
15 - 16 Sep 2026
At Cleveland State University; Topics to be discussed include Exploration Architecture, Artemis program, Space Traffic...
Cleveland OH, USA
15 - 18 Sep 2026
27th year of this top scientific conference in the USA devoted to Space Domain Awareness...
Maui HI, USA