July 11-17, 2005 / Vol 24, No 28
fax: 808-885-3475
tel: 808-885-3473

Space Shuttle Return To Flight Puts Station Completion In Sight; Important Step In EMMB / VSE

STS-114 Discovery is scheduled for liftoff on 13 July at 15:51 EDT from KSC FL. It is the first Space Shuttle visit to the International Space Station in more than two years. Discovery with its seven-member crew (Collins, Kelly, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Lawrence and Camarda) will dock with the station on 15 July bringing several tons of supplies and spare parts using the Italian 'Raffaello' Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. During eight days of joint activities, three space walks will be conducted by the Shuttle crew to test heat shield repair techniques, a station gyroscope will be replaced, and preparations will be made to resume assembly of the orbiting complex. E11's Krikalev and Phillips are almost in the third month of a planned six-month mission. On 16 Aug, Krikalev will surpass the record for most cumulative time spent in space by any person, having accumulated more than 749 days on six space flights. Until the Shuttle is replaced by the Crew Exploration Vehicle, it will be an important element in the nation's vision to explore the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and beyond. (Credit: NASA)

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, Apollo 11 Moon Landing Remembered

In 1975 a breakthrough in international space relations took place with the docking in orbit of spaceships launched by the US and Russia. The three NASA astronauts and two cosmonauts spent two days working together in space. The good relations have been credited with helping lay the groundwork for the International Space Station two decades later. NASA will honor Apollo 10, Apollo-Soyuz astronaut Thomas Stafford with the Ambassador of Exploration Award on 12 July at the Stafford Air and Space Museum in Weatherford OK. The ceremony will be attended by the surviving Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Russian and American crewmates: Vance Brand, Vallery Kubasov and Alexei Leonov. The 30th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project will be celebrated on 15-17 July at KSC FL. Hosted by actor John Travolta, the proceeds will benefit the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Next week, the world celebrates the 36th observation of that epochal event. (Credit: NASA).

THIS WEEK
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
LEGEND
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
         
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
        
         
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
 29 30    
         
All times 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).
 
Monday
Jul 11 — International Space Station, Low Earth Orbit: Expedition 11 crew preparing for arrival of STS-114 Discovery on 15 Jul (EDT) if launch on 13 Jul successful and on time; http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station.
Jul 11 — Mars Odyssey, Red Planet Orbit: Images 'Arsia Mons Western Flows,' 'Windstreak on Lava Flow,' and 'Eroding Lava Flows;' http://themis.la.asu.edu/latest.html.
Jul 11 — Omniplex Science Museum, Oklahoma OK: Dinner celebration commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project; http://www.omniplex.org.
Jul 11-14 — Society of Automotive Engineers / AIAA / et al, Rome, Italy: 'International Conference on Environmental Systems and European Symposium on Space Environmental Control Systems;' topics related to humans living and working in hostile environments; http://www.sae.org/events/ice.
Jul 11-15 — Lunar And Planetary Institute / et al, Laurel MD: 'Workshop on the Role of Volatiles and Atmospheres on Martian Impact Craters;' terrestrial and planetary scientists with an interest in the role of surface/subsurface volatiles and atmospheres on impact cratering, with particular applications to Mars, are encouraged to participate; http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/volatiles2005.
Jul 11-15 — European Physical Society, Bern, Switzerland: '13th General Conference: Beyond Einstein -- Physics for the 21st Century;' covers 'Photons, Lasers and Quantum Statistics;' ' Relativity, Matter and Cosmology ;' ' Brownian Motion, Complex Systems and Physics in Biology;' http://www.eps13.org.
Jul 11-17— Kobe International School of Planetary Sciences, Hyogo, Japan: 'Origin of Planetary Systems;' covers 'Dynamical Interactions Among Extrasolar Plantes;' http://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/21COEPS/SCHOOL/2005/2005_ischool.html.
Tuesday
Jul 12 — West Hawaii Astronomy Club, Waimea HI: Group meets the second Tuesday of each month for observing sessions, clinics and to generally promote the astronomy hobby in North and West Hawaii; takes place at Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation; contact Laura Kraft at 808-885-7887; 19:00 HST.
Jul 12 — Stafford Air And Space Museum, Weatherford OK: NASA to award Apollo 10, Apollo-Soyuz astronaut Thomas Stafford with the Ambassador of Exploration Award at a ceremony attended by the astronauts surviving Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Russian and American crewmates; http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-071404a.html#062605.
Wednesday
Jul 13 — Launch STS-114 Discovery / ISS LF1, KSC FL: Lead vehicle for Return to Flight; crew Collins, Kelly, Noguchi, Robinson, Thomas, Lawrence and Camarda; to deliver supplies and equipment to station using the Italian "Raffaello" Multi-Purpose Logistics Module; crew will test new orbiter inspection procedures and thermal protection system repair techniques; 3 EVAs are planned, including one to replace station's failed Control Moment Gyroscope; 15:51 EDT.
Jul 13 — International Space University Summer Session Program 2005, Vancouver, Canada: 'India in Space;' featuring ISRO representative; open to public, free admission; http://www.isunet.edu/EN/212.
Jul 13 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics / et al, Tucson AZ: '41st AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit: Propulsion Technology - Enabling Tommorrow's Applications;' examines air breathing, rocket, and electric propulsion; http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1177; ends today (began 10 Jul).
Jul 13-15 — Chandra X-Ray Center, Cambridge MA: 'Star Formation in the Era of Three Great Observatories;' focus on topics where the Great Observatories have the most to contribute during this unique period of simultaneous operation; http://cxc.harvard.edu/stars05.
Jul 13 — Moon: Moves 0.70° S of Jupiter; 08:00.
Jul 13 — Asteroid 4342 Freud: Closest Approach to Earth (1.520 AU).
Thursday
Jul 14 — Cassini, Saturn Orbit: Enceladus flyby at 175 km takes place today; http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm.
Jul 14 — Launch Ariane 5G Flight 166 / iPSTAR-1, Kourou, French Guiana: Broadband comms sat for Shin Satellite of Thailand flies today; Space Systems / Loral-built spacecraft will use its Ka- and Ku-band payload to provide direct-to-desktop multi-media and data services; 02:40 EDT.
Jul 14 — Moon: At first quarter; 05:21 HST.
Friday
Jul 15-17 — Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Anniversary, KSC FL: The 30th anniversary of ASTP will be celebrated at the Visitors Center with four of the five men who flew on the mission; http://www.flatoday.com.
Jul 15 — Space Generation Advisory Council, Fukuoka, Japan: Deadline for delegate applications for 'Space Generation Congress 2005: Explorers Wanted -- Out of the Cradle, Into Action;' that will take place 14-16 Oct; http://www.explorerswanted.com.
Jul 15-18 — Moonfest, Global: ‘World Moon Festival;’ organization studies Moon in world culture, generates new art about Moon, and works to build interest in space exploration; http://www.moonfest.net.
Jul 15 — Moonfest, Washington DC: ‘Moon at Noon’ concert; pianist-composer Paul Leavitt will perform a new work written especially for the occasion, as well as Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’ and Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune;’ http://www.moonfest.net.
Saturday
Jul 16—Cernan Earth and Space Center, River Grove IL: 'Earth and Sky Show;' public planetarium on the campus of Triton College conducts regular shows of astronomical interest; http://www.triton.edu; 15:00 CDT.
Sunday
Jul 17 — Moonfest, Greenbelt MD: ‘Greenbelt Moon Readings;’ two award-winning children’s works by their authors: ‘Tambourine Moon’ by Joy Jones and an adaptation of the play ‘Luna Muna’ by Candy Drew; story-making workshop; http://www.moonfest.net.
Jul 17 — National Astronomy and Ionospheric Center, et al, Arecibo, Puerto Rico: 'School on Single Dish Radio Astronomy;' overview of current single-dish capabilities in respect of both hardware and software; details state-of-the-art applications to specific research fields; http://www2.naic.edu/~astro/School; ends today (began 10 Jul).
Jul 17 — Asteroid 6318 Cronkite: Closest Approach to Earth (2.397 AU).

Space Calendar Published weekly, Mondays. ISSN 0741-1731. All Rights Reserved. Copyright July 11, 2005, Space Age Publishing Company, 65-1230 Mamalahoa Highway - Suite D-20, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743 USA. Subscription Rates: $59 / Year Individual ($99 / 2 Years, $139 / 3 Years); $99 / Year Institution ($179 / 2 Years, $259 / 3 Years). Add $60 / Year Overseas, not including China and Mexico - please remit in US$ International Money Order. $3 for sample preview copies. Editor & Publisher / Steve Durst. Assistant Editors / Michael R. Cerney, Chris Thomason, Jason Ventura. Special Consultants: Hawaii Aloha / Leilehua Yuen. Lunar Enterprise / Greg Nemitz. Asia News: Chen Kan Arth. USA Contributors: Houston / Bill Best. Huntsville / Bill Carswell. Southern California / Gloria McMillan. International Contributors: Europe-Russia / Theo Pirard. Canada / Robert Richards. India-South Asia / Radhakrishna Rao. Australia / Kirby Ikin.

For A Free 3-Issue Trial Examination, Fax To 808-885-3475 Or Call 808-885-3473
 
DOWNRANGE-TOWARD 2010
2005
JuL— Launch Boeing Delta 4 / GOES-N, CCAS FL: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-N flies today for NOAA and NASA; weather sat will monitor conditions across the USA; TBD.
2005 — Launch Ariane 5 ECA Flight 167 / Spaceway-2 / Telkom-2, Kourou, French Guiana: Boeing-built Spaceway-2's Ka-band payload will expand DIRECTV's service and provide broadband services across the USA; OSC-built Telkom-2 has 24 C-band transponders to transmit telecoms to Indonesia; time TBD.
2005 — Boeing Delta 2 / GPS2R-M2, CCAS FL: Second modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite flies this year; time TBD.
2005 — NSAU / NASA, Washington DC: National Space Agency of Ukraine to sign agreement this year with US space agency to use Zenit, Dnepr and Cyclone rockets to launch US satellites into lunar orbits.
2005 — China-France Committee on Space, Toulouse: Next meeting of group to take place 2H 2005.
Jul 18 — Moonfest, New Orleans LA: ‘Shakespear and the Moon;’ interactive performance by Dog & Pony Theater, described as that city’s most adventurous theater company; http://www.moonfest.net.
Jul 18-20 — SETI Institute, Mountain View CA : ‘Workshop on the Habitability of Planets Orbiting M Stars;’ first in a series and is open to media; SETI Director Frank Drake believes there may be far more habitable planets orbiting M dwarfs than orbiting all other types of stars combined; http://mstars.seti.org.
Jul 18-22 — NASA, Columbus OH: '2nd Annual Vehicle Systems Program Review;' attendees learn about the technical progress made in the last year; https://tyrone.grc.nasa.gov/evt/Tyr5.
Jul 18-29 — International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, Toulouse, France: 'IAGA Toulouse 2005;' attendees to learn about solar wind and the planetary field; http://www.iugg.org/IAGA.
Jul 19-Aug 3 — Chinese Society of Astronautics, Beijing: USA astronauts Duke, Bolden, Jemison to tour facilities at various space research and development centers.
Jul 20 — Space Day, Nationwide USA / Global: 36th observation of Apollo 11 landing on Moon in 1969; 29th observation of 1st spacecraft on another planet – Mars (Viking-1 landed in 1976).
Jul 20 — Evoloterra, Los Angeles CA: ‘Celebration: Story of When We First Left Earth;’ tells of the species that not only dreams, but has the ability to make those dreams a reality; honors those who advanced humanity's body of knowledge and recognizes profound significance of methods of science; http://www.evoloterra.com.
Jul 21-22 — NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA: ‘Comets- Time Capsules of Our Solar System's Past ;’ Richard Grammier presents lecture on how structure of comets can answer the most elusive questions about our solar system's past; http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures/jul05.cfm.
Jul 21-23 — Space Frontier Foundation, Las Vegas NV: ‘Return to the Moon 6;’ Annual event to be held at the Flamingo Hotel; keynote to be delivered by Admiral Craig Steidle or NASA's new administrator; more info at http://www.space-frontier.org.
Jul 22-23 — Comet Hale-Bopp Discovery Ten-Year Anniversary, Alamogordo NM: Co-discoverer Alan Hale to hold event to celebrate the occasion; appearances of several prominent guests to take place; an exhibition by a prominent space artist and a benefit concert also will occur.
Jul 23 — Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory, Tucson AZ: Casting first mirror for Giant Magellan Telescope today; using its huge spinning furnace and tons of glass to create 8.4-m diameter mirror; http://uanews.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/UANews.woa/8/wa/SRStoryDetails?ArticleID=11355.
Jul 23 — Earthrise Astronomy Campus, Cloudcroft NM: Comet Hale-Bopp co-discoverer Alan Hale launches center on ten-year anniversary of the find; envisions it as a place where youngsters can view the heavens and link up with other young astronomers via computer; http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=20075&cat=NMTOPSTORIES.
Jul 24-29 — American Astronomical Society, Boulder CO: 'Solar Physics Division Summer School on Helioseismology;' aims to provide an in-depth introduction of the theory, methods and modern observations of helioseismology to physics graduate students and post-graduate early career scientists; http://www.hao.ucar.edu/summerschool.
Jul 25 — STS-114 Discovery Landing,, KSC FL: Crew of seven return to Earth after completing successful return to flight mission at the International Space Station; 11:06 EDT.
July 27 — International Space University Summer Session Program 2005, Vancouver, Canada: 'China and Russia in Space;' featuring Andrey Krutskikh, Mikhail Marov, Olga Zhdanovich, Joan Johnson; open to public, free admission; http://www.isunet.edu/EN/212.
July 27 — AIAA San Francisco Section, Sunnyvale CA: 'Space Tourism, Essay Awards Dinner Meeting;' Sam Coniglio talks about space tourism and all aspects of living, working, and playing in low earth orbit; http://www.aiaa-sf.org.
Jul 29 — Launch Boeing Delta 2 / GPS 2R-M1, CCAS FL: First modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite flies today; launch will be run by USAF; 03:47 EDT.
Aug — Mars Society, Boulder CO: 'Mars Society's 2005 Convention;' http://www.marssociety.org.
Aug — ESA SMART-1, Lunar Polar Orbit: Original mission end date; extended to August 2006; http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=36528.
Aug 2 — MESSENGER, Mercury Trajectory: Spacecraft returns to Earth for gravity boost, then will fly past Venus twice in October 2006 and June 2007; http://messenger.jhuapl.edu.
Aug 7-11 — American Astronautical Society / AIAA, Lake Tahoe CA: '2005 Astrodynamics Specialist Conference;' topics include: orbital dynamics, perturbations, and stability; Earth orbital and planetary mission studies; trajectories about libration points; dynamics and control of large space structures and tethers; artificial and natural space debris; http://www.space-flight.org/AAS_meetings/2005_astro/a2005_call_for_papers.html.
Aug 8-11 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics / Utah State University, Logan UT: '19th Annual Conference on Small Satellites;' comprehensive technical sessions, 50+ exhibits, and nightly dinners and socials; http://www.smallsat.org/conference.
Aug 10 — Launch LMC Atlas 5 / Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, CCAS FL: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft will circle Red Planet and snap super-sharp images of surface; 07:53 EDT.
Aug 11-14 — Mars Society, Boulder CO: ' 8th International Mars Society Convention;' latest results from the Spirit, Opportunity, and Mars Express missions; reports from the sixth field season of the Devon Island Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station; http://www.marssociety.org/convention/2005/index.asp.
Aug 11 — International Space University Summer Session Program 2005, Vancouver, Canada: 'New Space Exploration Initiatives;' featuring representatives from CSA, NASA, JAXA, ESA, Russia; open to public, free admission; http://www.isunet.edu/EN/212.
Aug 15-18 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, San Francisco CA: 'Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference and Exhibit;' forum provides discussions on spacecraft, reusable space launch vehicles; http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1089.
Aug 16-21 — MAKS 2005 Aerospace Exhibition, Zhukovsky Airfield, Moscow, Russia: Clipper reusable spacecraft seating six passengers produced by Russia to be unveiled; country claims can take humans to Moon, Mars; http://www.flymig.com/maks_2005.
Aug 16 — International Space University Summer Session Program 2005, Vancouver, Canada: 'Personal Spaceflight - Opening the Frontier for Everyone;' featuring Eric Anderson (Space Adventures), Jim Benson (SpaceDev), Peter Diamandis (X Prize, Zero-G), Anousheh Ansari (X Prize); open to public, free admission; http://www.isunet.edu/EN/212.
Aug 18 — NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA: 'Technology of Tomorrow Today: An Overview of Space technology Spin-Offs;' at The von Karman Auditorium at JPL; presented by Dr. Karina Edmonds, JPL Senior Technology Transfer Specialist; http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures/aug05.cfm.
Aug 19 — NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA: 'Technology of Tomorrow Today: An Overview of Space technology Spin-Offs;' at The Vosloh Forum at Pasadena City College; presented by Dr. Karina Edmonds, JPL Senior Technology Transfer Specialist; http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/events/lectures/aug05.cfm.
Aug 21-26 — Gordon Research Conferences, Les Diablerets, Switzerland: 'Engineering Sciences for Space Exploration;' cryogenics; biological support systems; http://www.grc.org/programs/2005/space.htm.
Aug 22 — Launch Delta 2 / CloudSat / CALIPSO, Vandenberg AFB CA: CloudSat will use radar to measure the verticle structure of clouds and cloud properties from orbit; Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations will study the effects of clouds and aerosols on changes in the Earth's climate; time TBD.
Aug 24 — Launch Progress 19 (M54), Baikonur, Kazakhstan: 19th Progress cargo ship to ISS; http://msdb.honeywell-tsi.com/missioninfo.asp?Mission=ISS-19P.
Aug 30 - Sep 1 — AIAA / Raytheon Company, Long Beach CA: 'Space 2005: Expanding the Envelope;' theme will establish the context of how important and vital space has become while looking forward to a vision of what space can and will provide in the future; http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1181.
Aug 31 — Dr Pepper / Seven Up, Inc, Nationwide USA: 'Diet 7UP Free Ticket to Space' sweepstakes; as part of promotion (involving Buzz Aldrin) for the soft drink's new sweetner, 7UP will give away a free suborbital ride on one of the 1st FAA-approved space tourism company's spaceships; ends today.
Fall — International Space Station Meeting, Moscow, Russia: Space agency leaders from the United States, Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada meet to review the status of the ISS program.
Late Sep — Launch SpaceX Falcon 1 / TacSat-1, Kwajalein Atoll: Two-stage, liquid-fueled rocket to carry light cargo to space; time TBD.
Sep 1 — Launch Boeing Delta 4 Medium+ / NRO-L25, Vandenberg AFB CA: Classified spy satellite cargo for the US National Reconnaissance Office flies today; time TBD.
Sep 5-9 — Euroconsult, Paris, France: 'World Satellite Business Week;' check cal on this website if its not on front page yet; http://www.euroconsult-ec.com.
Sep 9 — Launch STS-121 / Atlantis / ISS ULF1.1, KSC FL: Mission to complete testing of new inspection and thermal protection system repair techniques before resuming station construction; will deliver E12 crew of three and bring back to Earth current two-person crew; time TBD.
Sep 12–16 — Lunar And Planetary Institute / et al, Gatlinburg TN: 'METSOC 2005: 68th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society;' technical sessions will cover a wide range of topics on meteoritics and planetary science; http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/metsoc2005.
Sep 13-16 — Comsys, London, England: '7th Annual VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal Satellite) 2005 Conferece;' http://www.comsys.co.uk/vc05_mn.htm.
Sep 15 — Launch Eurockot Rockot / Cryosat, Plesetsk: European Space Agency's Cryosat scientific research spacecraft radar altimetry mission will examine variations in the thickness of the Earth's continental ice sheets and marine ice cover; tme TBD.
Sep 15-16 — DGLR International Symposium, Bremen, Germany: 'To Moon and Beyond;' to develop a European human space exploration initiative beginning with going to the Moon; http://www.dglr.de/veranstaltungen/callforpapers/calls/2005-07-15_To_moon_and_beyond.pdf.
Sep 18-23 — International Lunar Exploration Working Group 7 / ILC 2005, Toronto, Canada: 'International Lunar Conference 2005;' topics on lunar enterprise; http://www.ilewg.org/ilc2005.
Sep 21-22— Pacific Telecommunications Council, Santa Monica CA: '2005 Mid-Year PTC Seminar - Global Communications in Times of Crises and Turmoil;' http://www.my2005.org/.
Sep 26-28 — CWC Group, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 'MENASAT (Middle East and North Africa Satellite Summit);' http://www.thecwcgroup.com/conf_detail_home.asp?FP=1&CID=73.
Sep 26-29 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Arlington VA: 'Infotech@Aerospace: Advancing Contemporary Aerospace Technologies & Their Integration;' Intended to serve as AIAA's cornerstone event in addressing 21st Century aerospace opportunities and issues; http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1246.
Sep 26-30 — Lunar And Planetary Institute / et al, Kauai HI: 'Workshop on Dust in Planetary Systems;' topics include: interplanetary dust complex, interstellar dust within the solar system, circumstellar dust disks, cometary dust measurements and modeling; http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/dust2005.
Sep 29-Oct 1— Promospace, Vicenza, Italy: 'SAT EXPO 2005 - Space and Advanced Telecommunications;' at Vicenza Fair; http://www.satexpo.it/en.
Sep 30 — Launch Boeing Delta 2 / NRO-L21, Vandenberg AFB CA: Classified spy satellite cargo for the US National Reconnaissance Office flies today; time TBD.
Oct — Launch Long March / Shenzhou 6, Xichang: China to launch its second manned space flight, a five-day mission with two astronauts aboard that will perform experiments.
Oct 3-6 — International Telecommunication Union, Salvador da Bahia, Brazil: 'ITU Telecom Americas 2005;' http://www.itu.int/AMERICAS2005.
Oct 4— Finish Astronautical Society, Helsinski: Holds lecture series starting today for World Space Week; features international 'stars;' http://www.sats-saff.fi.
Oct 4-6 — Space Foundation, Omaha NE: 'Strategic Space 2005;' military-style ANNUAL space meeting; http://www.stratspace.org.
Oct 4-10 — World Space Week, Global: 50 nations celebrate, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly; 2005 theme: 'Discovery and Imagination;' http://www.spaceweek.org.
Oct 6-9 — X Prize Foundation, Las Cruces NM: ‘Countdown to X Prize Cup’; event will feature demonstration flights of several potential prize contenders; http://www.xprizefoundation.com.
Oct 8 — Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Fontana CA: ‘Grand Challenge Autonomous Race’; vehicles compete for US$2M prize without human intervention and using GPS; www.darpa.mil.
Oct 11-12 — Solidarietà e Sviluppo, Washington DC: 'International Conference Moon Base: A Challenge for Humanity;' will continue discussion on the Moon Base project and the position of space agencies, assess humans living in a Moon base, cover economic, industrial, and international scenarios; www.moonbase-italia.org.
Oct 11-13 — JAXA / et al, Kitakyushu, Japan: '12th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum;' to enhance the development of each country's space program and to exchange views toward the future cooperation in space activities in the Asia-Pacific region; http://www.aprsaf.org.
Oct 11-13 — International Academy of Astronautics, Kyoto, Japan: 'Sixth IAA International Conference on Low-Cost Planetary Missions;' discussion include Lunar-A and SELENE; other mission categories: Moon, Terrestrial Planets, Outer Planets, Icy Satellites and EKBOs, Comets and Asteroids, Interplanetary (and Deep Space) Probes, and Solar Probes; http://www.hayabusa.isas.jaxa.jp/iclcpm2005.
Oct 12 — Launch Boeing Delta 2 / GPS2RM-4, CCAS FL: Fourth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite flies today; launch will be run by USAF; time TBD.
Oct 14-15 — United Nations / IAF, Kitakyushu, Japan: Workshop scheduled to take place; full details TBA; http://www.aprsaf.org.
Oct 14-16 — Space Generation Advisory Council, Fukuoka, Japan: 'Space Generation Congress 2005: Explorers Wanted -- Out of the Cradle, Into Action;' 160 international young delegates to implement the vision of young people on the future utilization and exploration of space; http://www.explorerswanted.com.
Oct 16-21 — 56th International Astronautical Congress, Fukuoka, Japan: 'IAC 2005: Space for Inspiration of Mankind;' at Exhibition Program latest achievements in space development will be on display for participants from industry and academic community; http://www.iac2005.org/index.html.
Oct 18-20 — NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt MD: Mission Engineering and Systems Analysis Division presents, 'Flight Mechanics Symposium;' covers attitude / obit determination, attitude simulation, sensor calibration, dynamics model improvements, and more; http://www.tisconferences.com/fms.
Oct 21 — Stanford On The Moon 2005 Conference, Stanford CA: Stanford alumnus Astronaut Dr. William Fisher will attend; info http://www.spaceagepub.com; 15:00 PST.
Oct 21-23 — Space Frontier Foundation, Los Angeles CA: 'Space Frontier Conference 14: The Next Space Age;' space development is no longer a burden to taxpayers, resting instead on the backs of creative capitalists, and this event will explore technical, cultural, and spiritual aspects; http://www.space-frontier.org/Events/SFC14.
Oct 23-29 — Union Radio-Scientifique Internationale, New Delhi: '28th General Assembly of International Union of Radio Science;' themes include: electromagnetic metrology, fields and waves, radio communicaions systems and signal processing, elecromagnetic noise and interference, wave propagation and remote sensing as
well as radio astronomy; http://www.ursiga2005.org/general.htm.
Oct 24-28 — Lunar And Planetary Institute, The Big Island HI: 'Protostars and Planets 5;' discussions on extrasolar planets, rapid advances in our understanding of circumstellar disks, planet formation, Kuiper belt, chondrule and CAI formation; http://www2.ifa.hawaii.edu/CSPF/ppv/ppv.html.
Oct 25-27 — SCAT Media & Consultancy, Mumbai, India: 'SCaT INDIA 2005 Trade Show;' Satellite & Cable TV India Trade Show 2005; http://www.scatindia.com.
Oct 25-27 — International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety, Nice, France: '1st IAASS Conference: Space Safety, a New Beginning;' topics include 1st China spaceflight, space tourism and regulation, Shuttle Discovery RTF; Sponsored by ESA; http://www.congrex.nl/05a15/main.html.
Oct 25-28 — Space Resources Roundtable, Inc. / et al, League City TX: 'Space Resources Roundtable 7: LEAG Conference on Lunar Exploration;' topics include lunar science, science on the Moon, ISRU technology; http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/leag2005/leag2005.1st.html.
Oct 26-27 — JD Events, New York NY: 'SATCON Conference and Expo;' http://www.satconexpo.com.
Nov — Launch Boeing Delta 4 / DMSP-F17, Vandenberg AFB CA: Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 17 spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force, built by Lockheed Martin, flies this month; polar-orbiting weather satellite will be used by the military for global weather forecasting; time TBD.
Nov 1-3 — ITE Group, Moscow, Russia: 'Broadband Russia and CIS 2004 Conference;' http://www.broadband-conference.com.
Nov 1-4 — Creative Telecommunication, Inc., Houston TX: 'Offshore Communications 2005;' http://www.offshorecoms.com.
Nov 2-4 — Richard Theodor (Wozniak) Kusiolek, Beijing, China: 'China Satellite 2005;' call 650-428-1872 / 650-504-2978, and homepage listed as http://www.transglobalnet.com.
Nov 8-10 — American Astronomical Society / IEEE / AIAA, Colorado Springs CO: '8th Core Technologies for Space Systems Conference;' space science, debris, robotics, Mars science, propulsion, imaging, planetary defense, lunar exploration; http://www.spacecoretech.org.
Nov 8-11 — International Institute for Asian Studies / et al, Hanoi, Vietnam: '2nd Asian Space Conference;' http://www.iias.nl/iias/show/id=48033.
Nov 12-16 — Japan-US Science, Technology and Space Applications Program, Oahu HI: 'Hawaii: Forging US-Japan Collaboration in Space Exploration;' http://www.justsap.us.
Nov 15-16 — American Astronautical Society, Houston TX: 'AAS National Conference and 52nd Annual Meeting;' http://www.astronautical.org.
Nov 15-17 — Space Foundation, Cape Canaveral FL: 'Florida Space 2005 '; will feature elements of Cape Canaveral Spaceport Symposium and provide means to improve partnerships with and between NASA, 45th Space Wing and Florida Space Authority; http://www.floridaspace.org/information/index.cfm.
Nov 16-18 — International Telecommunication Union, Tunis: 'World Summit on the Information Society;' http://www.itu.int/wsis.
Nov 17-20 — Space Age Publishing Company / Lunar Enterprise Corporation, Hawaii Island: 'Intl Lunar Observatory Advisory Committee Workshop;' http://www.spaceagepub.com/ilo/ilo.home.html.
Nov 30-Dec 2 — International Space University, Strasbourg, France Central Campus: 10th Annual International Symposium 'Space Exploration: Who, What, When, Where, Why?;' to help move forward from problems to innovative solutions; http://www.isunet.edu/EN/191.
Dec — Launch Dnepr / TrailBlazer, Baikonur: First private mission to Moon takes place this month.
Dec — Launch Proton M / KazSat / Express AM-3, Baikonur: Kazakstan to launch its first satellite this month to GEO; spacecraft will service Kazakstan, Central Asia, and part of Russia.
Dec 2-5 — Cebet Broadcast, Instanbul, Turkey: 'International Trade Fair for Satellite Communication, Broadcasting and TV Content;' http://www.cebit-bcs.com.
Dec 5-9 — American Geophysical Union, San Francisco CA: 'American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting;' may feature more papers on various lunar topics; http://www.agu.org/meetings.
Dec 15 — Launch Boeing Delta 2 / GPS2RM-5, CCAS FL: Fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System Block 2R military navigation satellite flies today; launch will be run by USAF; time TBD.
Dec 21 — Launch Progress 20 (M55), Baikonur, Kazakhstan: 20th Progress cargo ship to ISS; http://msdb.honeywell-tsi.com/missioninfo.asp?Mission=ISS-20P.
  2006
2006 — Launch H 2A / SELENE, Tanegashima, Japan: ISAS-NASDA joint mission to Moon will study origin, evolution, tectonics, magnetic field.
2006 — NASA CEV, Washington DC: Phase 2 of CEV development to begin with NASA selection of prime contractor between Lockheed and Boeing teams. Originally scheduled for 2008; http://www.nasa.gov/lb/home/hqnews/2005/jun/HQ_05146_contractor.html.
2006 — Launch Long March / Multi-Purpose Small Satellite, ?: Spacecraft developed by China, Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Mongolia, South Korea, and Iran will be launched this year; will carry out scientific experiments and environmental observations for countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
2006 — Launch STS-116 & 117, KSC FL: Two missions to ISS planned for this year to continue assembly of the orbiting laboratory; time TBD.
2006 — Launch Atlas 5 / Classified, KSC FL: Natl Reconnaissance Office classified payload under ILS, Air Force’s EELV program; time TBD.
2006 — Space Technology & Applications International Forum, ?: 'STAIF-2006;' major international technical forum hosts six concurrent conferences organized by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies; http://www.unm.edu/~isnps/staif/main.html.
Jan — NASA KSC New Horizons, Cape Canaveral FL: Proposed launch date for NASA JHU/APL New Horizons spacecraft to Pluto; http://www.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/pressreleases/2005/050613.htm.
Jan 7-8 — NIRMA University / NIOH, ?: '93rd India Science Conference.'
Jan 8-12 — American Astronomical Society, Washington DC: ‘AAS 206th Meeting’; http://www.aas.org.
Jan 9 — Launch Atlas 5 / New Horizons Pluto Probe, KSC FL: Launch of NASA $600M Pluto and Kuiper Belt Flyby Mission; time TBD.
Jan 9-12 — AIAA, Reno NV: ‘44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit’; http://www.aiaa.org.
Jan 15 — Landing Stardust, Utah Desert: Stardust spacecraft lands with collection of Wild 2’s coma dust for analyzation; time TBD.
Jan 15-18 — Pacific Telecommunications Council, Honolulu HI: 'PTS'06;' http://www.ptc.org/events/ptc06.html.
Jan 27 — 39th Apollo 1 Observation, Nationwide USA: Spacecraft fire took place 27 January 1967 killing Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee; Apollo Command Module crew were conducting a preflight test for the Earth-orbiting mission at Cape Canaveral FL.
Jan 28 — 20th Challenger 51-L Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle accident took place 28 January 1986 killing seven crew members including Commander Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, its pilot, Michael J. Smith, and its crew, Christa McAuliffe (the first 'Teacher in Space'), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and Ronald E. McNair, along with Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.
Feb 1 — Third Columbia STS-107 Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle explosion took place 1 February 2003 on its return to Earth killing David M. Brown, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael P. Anderson, William McCool, and Ilan Ramon.
Feb 20-24 — Terrapinn, Johannesburg, South Africa: 'Satcom Africa 2006;' http://www.satcomafrica.com.
Mar 5-8 — Aerospace Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers, League City TX: ‘Earth and Space 2006 Conference - "Engineering, Construction and Operations in Challenging Environments’; discussions include challenging environments the Moon and Mars; http://www.asce.org/conferences/space06.
Mar 6-10 — Scientific Committee on Solar Terrestrial Physics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: ‘11th Quadrennial Solar Terrestrial Physics Symposium: Sun, Space Physics, and Climate;’ http://www.abc.org.br/scostep2006.
Apr 6 — Venus Express, Venus Orbit: ESA 82.4 million euros mission set to orbit planet today.
May 1-4 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Newport RI: 'Gossamer Spacecraft Forum;' Provides an opportunuty to discuss recent research findings and newly proposed concepts emerging from Gossamer spacecraft technology; http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1172.
May 8-10 — American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Cambridge MA : ‘12th AIAA / CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference;' www.aiaa.org/events/aero.
May 18-21 — National Space Society / Planetary Society, Los Angeles CA: ‘International Space Development Conference 2006;' http://www.nss.org.
Jun — Launch Delta 2 / Dawn, KSC FL: NASA Discovery mission spacecraft will reach Vesta (530 km) across in 2010 and Ceres (957 km across) in 2014; their surfaces are believed to contain a snapshot of the conditions present in the solar system's first 10 million years, allowing Dawn to investigate both the origin of the solar system and its present state; http://discovery.nasa.gov/dawn.html.
Jun 4-8 — American Astronomical Society, Calgary, Alberta: ‘AAS 208th Meeting’; http://www.aas.org.
Jun 25-30 — CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland: 'International Symposium on Nuclear Astrophysics - Nuclei in the Cosmos # 9;' http://indico.cern.ch/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=059.
Jul — Space Frontier Foundation, Las Vegas NV?: ‘Return to the Moon 7;’ Annual event focuses on latest developments on the human settlement of Earth's nearest neighbor; more info at http://www.space-frontier.org.
Jul — Intl Lunar Exploration Working Group 8 / ILC 8, Beijing, China: ‘International Lunar Conference 8;’ topics on lunar enterprise; http://www.estec.esa.nl/ilewg.
Jul 1-Sep 3 — International Space University, Strasbourg, France: 'Summer Session Program 2006;' topics include: 'A Big Revolution on a Tiny Scale - Nanotechnolgy' and 'Artificial Environments & Artificial Life from Space for Earth;' a third topic also will be offered; http://www.isunet.edu/EN/211.
Jul 16-23 — Committee On Space Research, Beijing: ‘36th COSPAR Scientific Assembly’; conference to assortment of space topics; http://www.copernicus.org/COSPAR/COSPAR.html.
Aug — ESA SMART-1, Lunar Polar Orbit: Extended mission end date. Originally August 2005; http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=36528.
Aug 14-25 — International Astronomical Union, Prague, Czech Republic: ‘26th General Assembly’; conference to address variety of topics; http://www.astronomy2006.com.
Oct — MESSENGER, Mercury Trajectory: Spacecraft flies past Venus this month and in June 2007; uses the tug of Venus' gravity to resize and rotate its trajectory closer to Mercury's orbit; http://messenger.jhuapl.edu.
Oct — IAF, Valencia, Spain: ‘IAC 2006 - 57th International Astronautical Congress’; http://www.iafastro.com.
Late 2006 — Launch MV / Lunar-A, Kagoshima, Japan: JAXA lunar penetrator mission to deploy two penetrators - one on near side, one on far side.
Dec — Launch Long March 3A / Chang’e-1, Xichang: China Moon Mission to conduct mapping of lunar surface & resources as precursor to robotic, then human presence.
  2007
2007 — Launch Soyuz M2 / ?, Kourou, Fr Guiana: 1st blast-off of Russia carrier rocket for Samara-based TsSKB-Progress Space Center; time TBD.
2007 — Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, ?: Normal operations set to begin sometime this year, according to China National Space Administration (CNSA) Vice Administrator Luo Ge.
2007 — Launch GSLV / InSat-4C, Sriharikota?: First launch of India Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle, powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine, to take place this year; time TBD.
2007 — Launch Ariane 5 / ConeXpress ORS, Kourou, Fr Guiana: Space tug designed by Dutch Space for Orbital Recovery set for maiden launch this year; 703-560-6330.
2007 — Launch Proton / FGB-2, Baikonur: Multi-purpose laboratory module set to take off this year; will dock with ISS; first Kazakstan cosmonaut could fly to station to work in module; time TBD.
2007 — Space Technology & Applications International Forum, ?: 'STAIF-2007;' major international technical forum hosts six concurrent conferences organized by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies; http://www.unm.edu/~isnps/staif/main.html.
Jan 6-7 — NIRMA University / NIOH, ?: '94th India Science Conference.'
Jan 7-11 — American Astronomical Society, Seattle WA: ‘AAS 209th Meeting’; joint with AAPT; http://www.aas.org.
Jan 8-11 — AIAA, Reno NV: ‘45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit’; http://www.aiaa.org.
Jan 27 — 40th Apollo 1 Observation, Nationwide USA: Spacecraft fire took place 27 January 1967 killing Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee; Apollo Command Module crew were conducting a preflight test for the Earth-orbiting mission at Cape Canaveral FL.
Jan 28 — 21st Challenger 51-L Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle accident took place 28 January 1986 killing seven crew members including Commander Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, its pilot, Michael J. Smith, and its crew, Christa McAuliffe (the first 'Teacher in Space'), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and Ronald E. McNair, along with Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.
Feb 1 — Fourth Columbia STS-107 Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle explosion took place 1 February 2003 on its return to Earth killing David M. Brown, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael P. Anderson, William McCool, and Ilan Ramon.
May / June — American Astronomical Society, Hawaii: ‘AAS 210th Meeting’; http://www.aas.org.
Jun — MESSENGER, Mercury Trajectory: Spacecraft flies past Venus this month; uses the tug of Venus' gravity to resize and rotate its trajectory closer to Mercury's orbit; http://messenger.jhuapl.edu.
Jul — Launch ? / International Lunar Observatory, ?: Astrophysical landing mission; dish may conduct following: communications with Earth and lunar orbiters, SETI, studies of galactic center and deposit land claims; info http://www.spaceagepub.com; time TBD.
Aug — Launch Mars Phoenix Lander, ?: Low-cost Mars Scout mission heads for high northern latitude locale; robot to characterize landing zone's ice, soil and rock.
Sep — Launch PSLV / Chandrayaan-1, ?: First India Moon Mission to conduct two-year, three-dimentional mapping; will carry a 25-kg impactor that will descend on Moon in hard landing mode; will be released from craft's final circular polar orbit at 100-kg altitude; effect of device's impact will be used to analyze Moon dust's chemical composition; time TBD.
Oct — Launch KSLV 1 / ?, Korea Space Center: First launch of South Korea light carrier rocket takes place this month; developments from the Russia Angara rocket have been used for the first stage of rocket; time TBD.
Oct — National Space Agency, Malaysia: Agreement has been reached by RKA Director Anatoly Perminov and NSA Director Mazlan Otman to send Malaysia's first astronaut to the ISS as early as this month.
Oct — International Astronautical Federation, New Delhi, India: ‘IAC 2007 - 58th International Astronautical Congress’; http://www.iafastro.com.
  2008
2008 — Launch Angara / ?, Baiterek: 1st take off of Russia carrier rocket from new Russia-Kazak environmentally-friendly complex takes place this year; time TBD.
2008 — Crew Exploration Vehicle, ?: First unpiloted tests of CEV to take place this year; may be ‘fly-off’ between two competing vehicles; time TBD.
2008 — Launch Japan H 2 Transfer Vehicle, ?: 1st flight of spacecraft that could eventually serve as ISS support vehicle; time TBD.
2008 — Space Technology & Applications International Forum, ?: 'STAIF-2008;' major international technical forum hosts six concurrent conferences organized by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies; http://www.unm.edu/~isnps/staif/main.html.
Jan 5-6 — NIRMA University / NIOH, ?: '95th India Science Conference.'
Jan 7-10 — American Institute Of Aeronautics And Astronautics, Reno NV: ‘44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit’; http://www.aiaa.org.
Jan 27 — 41st Apollo 1 Observation, Nationwide USA: Spacecraft fire took place 27 January 1967 killing Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee; Apollo Command Module crew were conducting a preflight test for the Earth-orbiting mission at Cape Canaveral FL.
Jan 28 — 22nd Challenger 51-L Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle accident took place 28 January 1986 killing seven crew members including Commander Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, its pilot, Michael J. Smith, and its crew, Christa McAuliffe (the first 'Teacher in Space'), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and Ronald E. McNair, along with Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.
Feb 1 — Fifth Columbia STS-107 Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle explosion took place 1 February 2003 on its return to Earth killing David M. Brown, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael P. Anderson, William McCool, and Ilan Ramon.
Oct 15 — Launch NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, KSC FL: Precursor to USA / human return to Moon; Goddard SFC managing mission; time TBD.
  2009
2009 — Launch NASA Lunar Lander, KSC FL?: Next step in USA / human return to the Moon; Goddard SFC managing mission; time TBD.
2009 — Space Technology & Applications International Forum, ?: 'STAIF-2009;' major international technical forum hosts six concurrent conferences organized by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies; http://www.unm.edu/~isnps/staif/main.html.
2009 — International Astronomical Union, ?: ‘27th General Assembly’; conference to address variety of topics; possible website: http://www.astronomy2009.com.
Jan 27 — 42nd Apollo 1 Observation, Nationwide USA: Spacecraft fire took place 27 January 1967 killing Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee; Apollo Command Module crew were conducting a preflight test for the Earth-orbiting mission at Cape Canaveral FL.
Jan 28 — 23rd Challenger 51-L Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle accident took place 28 January 1986 killing seven crew members including Commander Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, its pilot, Michael J. Smith, and its crew, Christa McAuliffe (the first 'Teacher in Space'), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and Ronald E. McNair, along with Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.
Feb — Space Age Publishing Company / ILEWG, Hawaii Island: ‘International Lunar Conference 2009 - From Hawaii to the Moon;’ 808-326-2014.
Feb 1 — Sixth Columbia STS-107 Observation, Nationwide USA: Shuttle explosion took place 1 February 2003 on its return to Earth killing David M. Brown, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Michael P. Anderson, William McCool, and Ilan Ramon.
Dec 31 — Launch ? / Mars Science Laboratory, ?: Robot will study potential habitat for life and help verify if human explorers could exist there; time TBD.
  2010
2010 — Launch ? / Moonrise, ?: NASA sends two stationary robots to land at South Pole Aitken Basin and collect Moon rock samples; time TBD.
2010 — Space Technology & Applications International Forum, ?: 'STAIF-2010;' major international technical forum hosts six concurrent conferences organized by the University of New Mexico's Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies; http://www.unm.edu/~isnps/staif/main.html.
  2011
  2012
2012 — Launch Long March 3A / Chang’e-2, ?, China: China robotic Moon Mission to explore lunar surface as precursor to human missions; time TBD.
2012 — International Astronomical Union, ?: ‘28th General Assembly’; conference to address variety of topics; possible website: http://www.astronomy2012.com.
  2013
  2014
  2015
2015 — Launch ? / Jupiter Icy Moon Orbiter (JIMO), USA: NASA nuclear-powered spacecraft to determine if Jupiter’s moons Callisto, Europa, Ganymede have life.
2015 — Launch Crew Exploration Vehicle / Moon Mission, Cape Canaveral FL?: Earliest possible USA / human return to Moon to begin preparation of permanent base.
2015 — Launch ? / Moon Mission, Bangalore, India: Earliest projected date for India human mission to the Moon.
2015 — ESA / Rosetta, Comet 67P / Churyumov- Gerasimenko Orbit: Spacecraft reaches core part of mission; will orbit comet for 17 months.
  2016
  2017
2017 — Launch Long March 3A / Chang’e-3, ?, China: China robotic Moon Mission to collect samples of lunar soil as precursor to human missions; time TBD.
2017 — International Space Station, LEO: If USA decides to abandon station after this year, ESA along with Russia as member, could take 100% control.
  2018
  2019
  2020
2020 — Launch Crew Exploration Vehicle / Moon Mission, Cape Canaveral FL?: first crew to inhabit permanent? base; time/date TBD.
2020 — Launch Long March 3A / Chang’e-3, ?, China: China unpiloted Moon Mission to conduct sample return as precursor to future human presence on Moon.
  2021
  2022
  2023
  2024
2024 — Launch ? / Moon Mission, Kourou, French Guiana: Earliest projected date for Europe human mission to the Moon.
  2025
2025 — Launch ? / Moon Mission, Kagoshima?, Japan: Earliest projected date for Japan to complete a lunar station.
  2029
  Apr 13 — Minnesota 4, Earth Near-Miss: Astronomers agree that on this day, which happens to be a Friday, an asteroid will narrowly miss hitting Earth; no one seems to think there is great danger, but there could be a return visit in 2036 and a possible collision depending on the physics of today's event.
TOP