June 1-7, 2026 | Vol 45, Week 22 | Hawai`i Island, USA
NASA Personnel Announce Timeline for USA on the Moon, Project Awards, Moon Base Website
Live-streamed and recorded NASA news conference May 26 on Moon Base plans featured Jared Isaacman, Lorie Glaze and Carlos García-Galán. Isaacman restated the intention to “begin stacking Artemis 3 this summer with a target launch in mid 2027.” He spoke of leveraging commercial industry capabilities to build landers, rovers, technology and research projects suitable for “this epic science of [lunar] survival” in the hostile Moon environment, saying, “We go for the technology we will pioneer to get there,” which “will make life better here on Earth.” Mission 1 will be Blue Origin Mark 1 Endurance lander delivering multiple payloads to Shackleton Ridge NET Fall 2026. Mission 2 will be Astrobotic Griffin lander taking >500 kg of cargo including Astrolab’s Flip rover. Mission 3 will deliver the 1st payload selected in the NASA Prism Initiative competition among universities, researchers and industry, to study lunar swirls. Missions 2 and 3 are “targeted to launch before the end of 2026,” by which time at least 10 more missions are expected to be announced. Payloads from ESA and Korea will be included. The NASA Moon Base website launched “in the last hour.” Glaze said, “We’re moving toward the cadence necessary for a sustained deep space program.” García-Galán announced awards: Blue Origin Mark1, similar to Endurance, to deliver LTVs and, in Fall 2027, VIPER, at US$234M each; for crewed and autonomous rovers, Astrolab FLEX and Lunar Outpost Pegasus are chosen at US$220M each. Moonfall drones being developed by JPL will be taken by Firefly Elytra. More awards will be announced later this month. In the Q&A, Blue Origin was named as chosen for Artemis III. (Image Credits: NASA)
AAS CanSat Flies This Week; Winners Favored for Space Industry Internships
Humans in Space
☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven Astronauts are continuing biotechnology and botany research, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev installed a solar radiation experiment and removed physics and microbiology research gear during a 6-hour spacewalk, with assistance of Andrey Fedyaev using the European robotic arm. Jessica Meir is nourishing cartilage-forming cells to assist understanding that may improve astronaut fitness regimens. Chris Williams photographed white clover seeds, and Jack Hathaway photographed alfalfa plants. Sophie Adenot serviced ultrasound, bio-lab and DNA-sequencing devices. (Image Credits: NASA)
☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three members greeted the Shenzhou-23 crew: Commander Zhu Yangzhu (朱杨柱) on his 2nd Tiangong mission, Payload Specialist Li Jiaying (黎家盈) flying on her 1st mission, and Spacecraft Pilot Zhang Zhiyuan (张志远) on his 1st flight. They brought 9 science experiments with them and will support over 100 in total, in space life sciences and medicine, material sciences, fluid behavior in microgravity, and new technology. June 5 they celebrate the 4th full year of continuous Human occupation of the space station. All 6 Taikonauts worked together briefly; Shenzhou-21 three returned to Earth May 29. (Image Credits: CNSA)
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon June 1: Apollo Asteroids 2026 KV (0.025 AU) and KB1 (0.026 AU), Amor Asteroid 2026 JN (0.040 AU) | Wed June 3: Apollo Asteroid 2021 KN2 (0.014 AU) | Sun June 7: Apollo Asteroid 2018 GE (0.041 AU)
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Events
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Spacecraft Rendezvous and Proximity Operations
OnlineOnline short course on Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), critical for crew transfer, in-space assembly and space debris removal, among other uses. Instructor is Pradipto Ghosh; 12 classroom hours / 2.4 CEU-PDH; online via Zoom with replays available. Students will receive Certificates of Completion from both AIAA and Johns Hopkins […]
US$1595 – US$1795 -
Nominations Due: AIAA Honors & Awards
OnlineSix Premier Awards, a dozen Technical Excellence Awards, Lectureship, Service and Publication Awards, and more -- all nominations are due online today by 23:59 EDT, with references due July 1.
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Committee on Planetary Protection (CoPP) Online Meeting: Limits of Terrestrial Life and the Probability of Growth on Mars
OnlineThis meeting is to provide information to NASA so it can develop a prioritized list of factors that contribute to the potential release of terrestrial bioburden on the Mars surface and the likelihood of microbial survival and replication. Quantitative and qualitative guidance on individual and multiple growth-limiting/growth-promoting conditions are needed […]
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28th Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems Conference
London, United Kingdom1–3 June will involve solicited technical paper presentations at The Royal Aeronautical Society in London, UK, followed by an advanced materials seminar on 4–5 June, hosted by The National Aerospace Library in Farnborough, UK and Heathcoat Fabrics Limited in Tiverton, UK.
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Capitol Hill Briefing/Panel: Harnessing the Moon to Enable Mars
Washington DC, USA10:00-11:30 ET at 2325 Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave SW; Members of Congress, congressional staff, policymakers, and the general public are welcome. Seats are limited; registration is required: https://harnessing-the-moon-to-enable-mars.eventbrite.com Experts will detail how NASA’s lunar surface plans should be developed in a manner that will advance the goal […]
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IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026)
Kigali, RwandaUniting Space and Earth for Climate Resilience. The conference will bring together the international community, space agencies, industry, government, academia and NGOs, and representatives of non-space sectors involved in the climate change debate. All will converge in Kigali, Rwanda to present results, exchange ideas, debate roadmaps and discuss the future […]
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International Space Summit Africa
Pretoria, South AfricaExpecting 300 exhibitors, 500 companies, 25 countries, 3,000 B2B (business to business) meetings
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Space Tech Expo USA
Anaheim CA, USA4500 expected attendees are invited to discover the latest advancements in the space supply chain by connecting with over 350 companies who offer cutting-edge solutions, including electronics, materials, testing, components, and more. In this dynamic and fast-changing industry, there’s no better opportunity to meet face-to-face. At Hall A, Anaheim Convention […]
Free – US$79 -
26th Meeting of the Space Resources Roundtable (SRR)
Golden CO, USAAs it has done since 1999, this conference will bring together world experts from space agencies, research organizations, academia, the space private sector, the mining supply chain, the oil and gas industry, equipment manufacturers, and financial, policy, and legal experts to present innovative approaches in space resource identification, technology development, utilization, […]
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National Academies Board Meetings: Aeronautics & Space Engineering, Space Studies, Physics & Astronomy
Washington DC, USAThe 176th meeting of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board will be held June 2-3, the 192nd meeting of the Space Studies Board will be held June 2-4, the meeting of the Board on Physics and Astronomy will be held June 3-5. There will be joint ASEB/SSB and SSB/BPA sessions. […]
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 17-47
SLC-4E (~35°N), Vandenberg SFB CA, USALaunch window 07:00-11:00 PDT | 14:00-18:00 UTC | 04:00-08:00 HST for 24 internet satellites; 1st stage booster B1088 is expected to return and land on ASDS OCISLY after this 16th flight.
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-43
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window 04:02-08:02 EDT | 08:02-12:02 UTC | HST 22:02 June 2 - 02:02 June 3 for 29 internet satellites; 1st stage reusable booster B1090 expected to land on ASDS ASOG after this 12th flight.
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Proposals / Capability Statements Due for NASA NextSTEP-3
OnlineNASA seeks proposals by 17:00 EDT for Lunar Enabling Infrastructure Accelerator (LEIA) from USA institutions regarding vertical solar arrays, in situ resource utilization (ISRU) oxygen production systems, Stirling radioisotope generators, in-space manufacturing, and advanced nanomaterials production.
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Space: Enabling Multi-Domain Operations Symposium
Long Beach CA, USAAt Marriott Downtown Long Beach Hotel
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International Space Development Conference (ISDC) 2026: Space For Us All
McLean VA, USAThis 44th Annual ISDC brings together visionaries in spaceflight, the NewSpace economy, and space settlement for 4 days of groundbreaking discussions and insights. A Moon Symposium will be Sunday, June 7, 10:00-18:00. Connect with NASA Astronauts including Harrison Schmitt, top space industry executives, researchers, engineers and academics shaping the new […]
$95 – $600 -
21st Annual Student CanSat Competition
Monterey VA, USADesign-build-launch competition for space-related topics open to teams from universities and colleges. Teams must be able to design and build a space-type system, following the approved competition guide, and then compete against each at the end of two semesters to determine the winners. Rockets will be provided but teams are […]
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Tiangong Space Station: 4 Years of Continuous Human Occupation
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)Today marks 4th full year / starts 5th year of continuous Human occupation of TSS; Shenzhou 14 three-member crew launched on this day in 2022, beginning occupation.
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Launch Long March 8 / Unknown Payload
Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, ChinaLaunch window 13:00-17:00 Beijing Time | 05:00-09:00 UTC | HST June 4 19:00-23:00, possibly for SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites.
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Meet the Real Top Gun Maverick: Scott “Scooter” Altman
Chicago IL, USACelebrate the 40th Anniversary of Top Gun with the real Maverick of NASA, Astronaut Scott “Scooter” Altman. Altman played a pivotal role in the iconic movie, performing many of the aerial stunts in the 1986 film Top Gun. Hear his firsthand tales from the movie and his real-life experience as […]
US$150 -
Fly With An Astronaut
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex FL, USAAstronaut Ken Cameron, Pilot or Commander for 3 Space Shuttle flights with 561+ hours in space, gives his personal account and reflects on his experiences, then engages in Q&A; part of a Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex tour that includes other locations, shows, transportation among them, and catered lunch. Includes […]
US$200 -
Tianwen-2 Enters Orbit of Asteroid Kamo’oalewa
Near-Earth Object (NEO)Sample-return spacecraft Tianwen-2 will perform an orbit-insertion burn at asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa on Sunday, June 7, 13 months after its launch in May 2025. It is expected to begin collecting samples early next month. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/317613/20260602/tianwen-2-asteroid-orbit-insertion-set-june-7-amateurs-decode-telemetry.htm Kamoʻoalewa, formally designated 2016 HO3, was discovered in April 2016 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope […]
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Launch South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV / Demo Flight
Sea LaunchLaunch window open 14:00-18:00 Korea Time | 05:00-09:00 UTC | HST is 19:00-23:00 on June 7; to LEO for first orbital full-version launch after 2 sub-orbital tests.
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Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 10-35
SLC-40 (~28°N), Cape Canaveral SFS FL, USALaunch window 06:07-10:07 EDT | 10:07-14:07 UTC | 00:07-04:07 HST for 29 internet satellites; 1st stage booster B1067 expected to land on ASDS ASOG in the Atlantic Ocean after this 35th use.
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2026 Extraterrestrial Materials Academy for Undergraduates
Houston TX, USARunning until August 15, 10-week paid summer academy for analytical and laboratory skills in planetary sample science. At LPI, near NASA Johnson.
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Investor Events for Financial Analysts and Retail Investors
OnlineAbout 125 financial analysts from 21 banks are scheduled to meet with SpaceX on June 7. On June 8, executives and bankers will pitch the IPO to investors. On June 11, SpaceX will host 1,500 retail investors, said Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen. Elon Musk reported wants to set aside […]
