November 11-17, 2024 / Vol 43, No 46 / Hawai`i Island, USA

Reinventing Space Conference Focus is on Commercial Space

British Interplanetary Society (BIS) holds its 21st Reinventing Space Conference November 11-13 to advance human capability in space and showcase space enterprise trends. UK space companies employ ~42,000 and BIS invites innovators from industry, agencies, government, finance and academia to present, discuss challenges and opportunities. Theme ‘The Commercial Revolution’ on days 1 and 3 will focus on near- and medium-term (respectively) benefits of the large numbers of satellites / launches, issues such as legal / logistical / educational / space surveillance, and implications for our next 20 years. Day 2 with theme ‘Beyond The Moon’ focuses on long-term space exploration / settlement, space-based resources and human challenges. A parallel conference is held Nov 13, Student Careers Day, supported by UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space and SpaceCareers.UK. The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation works with BIS to present awards in the name of the author and engineer, who joined BIS in 1936 and was the first to propose geostationary orbits for communications and space elevators. He said, “Knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight; but information is the first essential step to these.” The Arthurs have been given yearly since 2005 and this year’s awards will be presented at a banquet on the evening of Day 2. The 2024 venue is the renowned Royal Aeronautical Society headquarters at No. 4 Hamilton Place, London. (Image credits: BIS, The Arthur C. Clarke Foundation)

MONDAY 

Nov 11 — International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 72 seven-member crew work with new science experiments: examining DNA from microbes in water, studying space-caused organism inflammation, testing if Vitamin B Complex can prevent space-caused vision issues, measuring physics particle movements in fluids, looking at solar wind around Dragon spacecraft and operating a coronagraph.

Nov 11 — Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-19 Commander Cai Xuzhe and Engineers Song Lingdong /Wang Haoze plan to conduct 86 science experiments in the fields of space life sciences, microgravity physics, materials, medicine, new technologies during their 6-month mission; the 2 Engineers are on their first spaceflight, both born 1990.

★ NET Nov 11 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Koreasat 6A, LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center FL: Launch of satellite built by Thales Alenia Space, 20 fixed satellite services transponders, 6 for TV broadcasting, to last 15+ years replacing 2010 Koreasat; Space Coast 24/7 Live Stream; NET 07:07 HST (launch window open 4 hours).

Nov 11 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 9-11Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB CA: Next launch of satellites for Starlink mega-constellation; launch cost ~US$52M, NET 19:07 HST (launch window open 4 hours).

● Nov 11 — Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUNR), Online: 3Q 2024 Class A Common Stock earnings announced.

o Nov 11-13 — British Interplanetary Society, London, United Kingdom: 21st Reinventing Space Conference: The Commercial Revolution; featuring Gala Dinner including Sir Arthur Clarke Awards; at Royal Aeronautical Society, £60-550.

☾ Nov 11 — Moon: 0.64° N of Neptune / occultation, 17:00.

= Terrestrial and… o = International terrestrial events

= Moon activity

= Space and… = International space / astro events; in Hawaii Standard Time unless noted. Add 10 hours to obtain UT (‘Universal Time’).


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

Zhuhai, China Welcomes Tens of Thousands to 15th International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition

The China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China), the largest airshow and aerospace trade expo in PRC, will host cutting-edge technologies at its 15th gathering on November 12-17. With 1,000+ exhibits from 47 countries / regions, 100,000+ visitors are expected. Held biennially since 1996, this year includes online exhibitions, meetings and live broadcast – and expects to generate many cooperation agreements, transactions and international exchanges. 2024 Airshow China is expected to exceed the 2022 event which had 121 aircraft on display, 740 exhibitors from 43 countries / regions, 200 meetings and signing ceremonies, and generated US$39.8 Billion in contracts / agreements. Expected to be on display are models of Long March 10A single-core rocket for launching crew to the Moon, Long March 9 with reusable upper stage for launching space / lunar infrastructure, and Long March 8 which is expected to launch again this year from Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, Hainan. (Image credits: Airshow China, CNSA)

 

 

☆ Nov 11 — Northern Taurid Meteors: Appearing to radiate from Constellation Taurus, the Northern Taurid Meteors are associated with comet Encke and appear at a rate of about 5 per hour, moving slowly across the sky at about 29km/sec.

☆ Nov 11 — Apollo Asteroid (2024 UE4): Near-Earth Flyby (0.009 AU)

Ongoing…

● Sep 4 – Nov 25 — NASA, Online: Lunar Navigation Challenge; ahead of Artemis mission, 2 prizes available for invention of orienteering aid and device to map bottom of Shackleton Crater.

● Nov 1-15 — Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, Online: Space Memorabilia Auction.

NET Nov — Blue Origin, Launch New Glenn / Blue Ring, LC 36A, Cape Canaveral SFS FL: Maiden New Glenn flight, to carry Blue Origin Blue Ring payload tug; initial USSF National Security Space Launch certification flight.

TUESDAY

Nov 12 — Cities in Space Podcast, Online: Guest is Michelle Hanlon, Co-founder, President & CEO of For All Moonkind, Executive Director of the Center for Air & Space Law, University of Mississippi School of Law; discusses space law in Episode 8.

● Nov 12 — Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB), Online: Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results Telecon; 17:00 EST.

o Nov 12-13 — Spaceport Norway, Norsk Romsenter (Norwegian Space Agency), Kongsberg, et al, Oslo, Norway: Xploration Conference & Expo; dubbed “The leading space business arena in the Nordics,” 50+ speakers from NASA, ESA, NOSA, et al; Oslo Event Hub, US$900-2,400.

o Nov 12-17 — State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND) of China, CNSA, CAST, CMSA, et al, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China: 15th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition; known as “Airshow China,” will display Chang’E-6 craft, ~200 products by CASTC, 260+ products by Aviation Industry Corp of China.

☆ Nov 12 — Mars: Spring Equinox for northern hemisphere, 00:00.

☆ Nov 12 — Apollo Asteroid (2020 UL3): Near-Earth Flyby (0.010 AU)

WEDNESDAY

 Nov 13 — Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE), Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit / Cislunar Space: NASA 12-U CubeSat Capstone acting as pathfinder for planned International Lunar Gateway reaches its 2nd full year / enters 3rd year at NRHO having launched June 28, 2022 via Rocket Lab Electron Rocket.

Nov 13 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Starlink Group 6-68SLC 40, Cape Canaveral SFS FL: Satellites for Starlink mega-constellation; launch cost ~US$52M, NET 01:00 HST (launch window open 4 hours).

☆ Nov 13 — CNSA, Launch Long March 4C / unknown payload, LC-9 Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China: Payload to LEO 4,200 kg or GTO 1,500 kg, 12:50 HST.

 Nov 13 — NASA, CASA Moon SSERVI, et al, Online / University of New Mexico: Planetary Sample Science Seminar, Brett Denevi of the Artemis III Geology Team presents Exploring the Geology of the Moon with Artemis III; in person at Ballroom C, UNM SUB, online here; 08:00-09:00 HST.

 Nov 13 — University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM: UNM Space Day; at UNM Student Union Building, 10:00-16:00 MST.

Nov 13-14 — Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Las Vegas NV / Online: Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium 2024 Fall Meeting; focus on technology testing “to get to the Moon together”; optional tour of lunar proving grounds at NNSS on Nov 15 (limited to 150 people, US citizens only); at University of Nevada.

o Nov 13-14 — Canadian Space Agency, Vancouver BC, Canada: Canadian backup crewmember of the Artemis II mission Jenni Gibbons will talk live to the public at Science World, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and University of British Columbia.

☆ Nov 13 — Aten Asteroid (2020 AB2): Near-Earth Flyby (0.038 AU)

THURSDAY 

☾ Nov 14 — Moon: At perigee, distance 360,109 km, 01:19.

☆ Nov 14 — Apollo Asteroid (2019 VU5): Near-Earth Flyby (0.007 AU)

FRIDAY

☆ NET Nov 15 — CNSA, Launch Long March 7 / Tianzhou 8Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center, Hainan, China: Next supply ship for Tiangong Space Station crew, Shenzhou-19, to be launched with about 7,400 kg of cargo including bricks made from lunar regolith simulant.

Nov 15 — American Astronautical Society (AAS), Online: Nominations due today (extended from October 31) for AAS Fellows and AAS Awards.

Nov 15 — Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Moon Village Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, Lucerne Valley CA: ROBOPALOOZA: Space + Robots + Rock’n Roll; IEEE competition, robot demonstrations,”Helelani” robotic rover from Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems of Hilo HI that was in Hawai’i Five-O episode.; will stream live.

☾ Nov 15 — Moon: Full Beaver Moon, 11:28; 4.2° NNW of Uranus, 14:00; 0.24° NE of Pleiades, 22:00.

☆ Nov 15 — Apollo Asteroid (2024 UE13): Near-Earth Flyby (0.049 AU)

SATURDAY

☾ Nov 16 — Artemis 1 2nd Observation, USA / Global: As USA and its international partners work toward Artemis 2 crewed mission around the Moon, Space Launch System and Artemis 1 mission is observed today for its successful uncrewed flight Nov 16 – Dec 11, 2022.

Nov 16-17 — Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Pasadena CA / Online: The 2024 IEEE Conference on Telepresence; 4th annual event.

☆ Nov 16 — Leonid Meteor Shower Peak: appearing to radiate from constellation Leo, Leonids are associated with the comet Tempel-Tuttle; can produce 10+ meteors per hour, 1 day after Full Moon; 14:00.

☆ Nov 16 — Apollo Asteroid (2024 UG8): Near-Earth Flyby (0.063 AU)

SUNDAY

★ Nov 17 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Optus-X, SLC 40, Cape Canaveral SFS FL: Northrop Grumman-built geostationary communications satellite to GTO for Australian satellite operator Optus, to provide texting services to 100% of Australia; 11:29 HST.

☾ Nov 17 — Moon: 5.6° N of Jupiter, 05:00.

☆ Nov 17 — Apollo Asteroid (2005 WA): Near-Earth Flyby (0.011 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
  • 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...
15 Sep 2026
  • Launch
Starbase, 25.9°N, Boca Chica TX, USA
NET Sep 15 -- the 14th test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. This will be the 3rd flight of Starship V3, Ship...
15 Sep 2026
  • Observation / Anniversary
Saturn’s Atmosphere
The Cassini spacecraft deliberately plunged into Saturn's atmosphere on September 15, 2017. Final Moments and Impact Loss of Signal: The final signal from Cassini...
16 Sep 2026
  • Launch
Wenchang Space Launch Center, ~19°N, Hainan Island, China
Unknown payload expected to launch on Long March 12, a is medium-lift vehicle that uses propellant of kerosene and liquid oxygen, able to place...
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,...
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
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
15 - 17 Sep 2026
Planning for 2.5 days of hybrid oral sessions and an in-person poster session. There will...
West Lafayette, Indiana