66th IAC in Jerusalem to Host 3,000 Space Exploration Leaders
The International Astronautical Federation, IAA and IISL are holding the 66th International Astronautical Congress with the theme Space: The Gateway for Mankind’s Future, October 12-16 in Jerusalem, Israel. World space agency representatives, scientists, Astronauts, industry, the press and public will participate in 9 technical sessions, 7 plenary, 3 highlight lectures, an exhibition, social program and associated events. IAC 2015 will begin with a 2-hour opening ceremony, heads of agencies session and a Buzz Aldrin press conference. Every aspect of Space Exploration will be explored including international current / future missions, launch services, life-support systems, commercial space, policies, safety and space debris. Some sessions are The Moon – a Continent and a Gateway for our Future and Fifty Years of Spacewalking. Bilateral meetings will be conducted by NASA, CNSA, ESA, ISRO, JAXA, Lockheed Martin Corp., CNES, DLR and OHB. Israel Space Agency is expanding Israel scientific and technological capabilities for peaceful space purposes through R&D support via international partnerships. The 2016 IAC will be held in Mexico, 2017 in Australia and the 2018 IAC host country will be selected Oct 16 by the IAF General Assembly. Associated events include: Space Generation Congress, IAA Academy Day, IPMC Young Professionals Workshop, Cross Cultural Workshop, IPC General Meeting and Space University Administrative Committee International Student Workshop. (Image Credit: IAF, ESA, NASA, JPL, JAXA)
MONDAY
Oct 12 — ISS,LEO: Six-member Expedition 45 preparing pair of spacesuits for EVA Oct 28 & Nov 6, transferring cargo from Progress 61P, working on studies for micrometeoroid impacts, Earth observation techniques, crystal magnetism, human blood circulatory system; CubeSat deployment from Kibo airlock continues; ISS has been in orbit more than 6,170 days.
Oct 12 — Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), Mars Orbit: India orbiter with 5 science instruments collecting data on atmospheric processes, surface geology, morphology & temperature; has collected more than 1,000 images from attitudes varying between 400-70,000 km.
Oct 12 — Chang’e-3 Lander, Sinus Iridum / Mare Imbrium, 44.12°N 19.51°W, Moon Surface: In Lunar Night 23, craft collecting data & sending to Earth, has been operating on Moon surface since Dec 13, 2013; China to send Chang’e-4 advanced “twin” lander & rover to Moon far side before 2020, perform lunar sample return with Chang’e-5 mission launching 2017.
Oct 12 — Sierra Nevada Corp.,Louisville CO: NewSpace company with 2 DreamChaser craft under development: Atmospheric Engineering Test Article which will undergo suborbital / atmospheric flight testing early 2016, and Advanced Composite Orbital Vehicle.
Oct 12 — Orbital Outfitters, Washington DC & Midland TX: Being contracted by SpaceX to develop NextGen spacesuits; scheduled to deliver mechanical counter-pressure glove for NASA by summer 2016; setting up facility at Midland Spaceport including 2.5×5-meter acrylic & steel altitude chamber for testing equipment at sub-orbital & orbital pressures.
Oct 12 — Google Lunar XPRIZE,Culver City CA: Challenging private teams to get to the Moon, contender SpaceIL has first confirmed launch contract with SpaceX, reviewing Moon Express contract with Rocket Lab; competition officially extended to Dec 31, 2017.
for terrestrial events in local time unless noted.
= 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;’ Greenwich, England).
New Worlds and New Wonders, Homes for Humanity Beyond Earth
The people, companies and institutions opening space to human development and settlement are gathering for focused work, exploration, art and culture on creating the future, now. New Worlds 2015 occurs October 16-17 at the Palmer Event Center in Austin TX, USA. It is the inaugural annual space conference and celebration of the New Worlds Institute, a project of the Texas based non-profit EarthLight Foundation, lead by Rick Tumlinson. Featured experts include Jeff Greason (XCOR), Bill Bruner (LLNL), Richard Garriott (Private Astronaut), Robyn Gatens (NASA), Michael Laine (Liftport), Bryan Versteeg (Space Artist), Dan Durda (SwRI), John Lewis (Author “Mining the Sky”), Theodore W. Hall (Space Habitat Design), Pat Rawlings (Space Artist) and Vera Mulyani (MarsCityDesign) among a very diverse group. The conference is organized into STAR Talks (Science, Technology, Art, Research) Ted-style talks to “blow your mind”; Worlds of the Frontier in-depth presentations on the questions of Where, Why and How; Discussion Sessions; Keynote Speeches including John Mankins on Space Solar Power; and Lift Off! a musical and visual, motivational and inspirational experience featuring performance art groups Arc Attack, BogTrotter, Nadis Warriors and The Clergy. (Image Credit: NWI, Arc Attack, NASA)
Oct 12 — Moon: New Moon, 14:06; 4.1° NNE of Spica, 23:00.
Oct 12 — Mercury: At perihelion (0.3075 AU from Sun), 08:00.
Continued from…
Aug 11 – Oct 31 — International Astronomical UnionOffice for Astronomy Outreach, Online:NameExoWorlds Contest; public voting for 15 stars and 32 exoplanets.
Oct 13 — RSA, Launch Proton / Turksat 4B, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan: International Launch Services Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage to deploy Turksat 4B communications satellite.
Oct 13-16 — Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS), Astronomical Society of Iran (ASI), Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences, Byurakan, Armenia:1st Armenian-Iranian Astronomical Workshop.
WEDNESDAY
Oct 14 — Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA, Greenbelt MD: Colloquium: The State of Magnetars; presented by Chryssa Kouveliotou from George Washington University, 15:30.
Oct 14-15 — ASTech Paris, Proximum Group, Paris, France:AeroSpace Days – Europe; at Paris Orly Airport.
Oct 16 — The Space Show, Online / Tiburon CA: Dr. David Livingston talks with Debra Facktor Lepore, Vice President and General Manager of Strategic Operations at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Oct 16-17 — New Worlds Institute, Austin TX: New Worlds 2015; to focus on settling the Moon, Mars and Free Space.
Oct 16-17 — Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center, NASA, KSC FL:NASA’s Innovation Expo; featuring expert presentations, prototype of Robonaut, NASA’s six campaigns including Earth Right Now, Technology, International Space Station, Aeronautics, Mars and the Solar System and Beyond.
Oct 16 — Moon: 2.9° N of Saturn, 04:00; 9.5° N of Antares, 18:00.
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= 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;’ Greenwich, England).
