June 9-15, 2025 / Vol 44, No 23 / Hawai`i Island, USA

Wenchang, Hainan Hosting Enterprise, Tourists at 19° N and Delivering Missions, Crew to Deep Space

The newest land-based launch site in China, Wenchang Space Launch Center on Hainan Island, has attracted hundreds of aerospace businesses to the area as well as tourism. According to Global Times, 700+ space-related enterprises are settled there, and in the nearby town of Longlou, 300,000 visitors in 2024 generated revenue exceeding 100M yuan (US$14.8M). Recently constructed Yaoguang observation deck can accommodate >2,000 people, while Shanhaitian Convention and Exhibition Center can hold up to 7,000 for launch viewing. There have been a total of 37 launches from Wenchang: 14 from Launch Complex 1 and 23 from Launch Complex 2. Wenchang Commercial Launch Site, also known as Hainan Commercial Spaceport, had a first launch in November 2024 using Launch Pad 2, and the second launch inaugurated Launch Pad 1 in March 2025. From Wenchang, Long March 5 will launch lunar missions Chang’E-7 (2026) + Chang’E-8 (2028), Tianwen-3 for Mars sample return (2028), Tianwen-4 to Jupiter (2029), and Taikonauts to the Moon in Mengzhou carrier (around 2027-28) and Lanyue lander (before 2030). The aforementioned initiatives in Wenchang continue to advance the chosen themes of the December 2024 ILOA Galaxy Forum Hainan: International Human Moon Landings and 21st Century Solar System Complete. The third major theme, Astronomy from the Moon, is supported by the astronomical instruments aboard the lunar / deep space missions, the Hainan Science and Technology Museum, Hainan University and other research centers. (Image credits: CCTV, People’s Daily, CNSA, CASC)

MONDAY

☆ Jun 9 — International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 73 seven-member crew are greeting four members of Axiom 4, studying fuels and flames in weightlessness, testing a 3D microscope, scanning astronaut veins with ultrasound and using an infrared camera to inspect the Zarya module, and wearing biometric data collector while sleeping.

☆ Jun 9 — Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou 20 three-member crew using robot, emulating design of starfish hydraulic tube feet, to maintain station straight, curved and tapered pipes of various diameters; looking forward to rapid response system to defend station if an unidentified space object approaches, as did 2 in 2021.

● Jun 9 — American Museum of Natural History, NYC NY: Opening of Space Show: Encounters in the Milky Way.

o Jun 9-11 — International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), Torino, Italy: 12th IAA Symposium on Future Space Exploration, Moon, Mars and Beyond: Becoming an Interplanetary Civilization; with co-chairs Les Johnson and Giuseppe Reibaldi.

● Jun 9-13 — Space Foundation, Colorado Springs CO: Artemis Academy Summer Cosmic Adventures; building rockets, designing lunar habitats for campers 7-12 years old, US$225.

● Jun 9-13 — Space Center Houston, Houston TX: Space U (Ages 11-14) and Mission Control Space U (Ages 15-18); learning opportunities tied to NASA missions including space habitats, thermal protection systems, rocketry, robotics; US$720-$960.

☆ Jun 9 — Mars and Neptune: At heliocentric opposition, 06:00.

☆ Jun 9 — Mercury: With Jupiter and M35 cluster within circle of diameter 2.66°, 05:00; 0.99° N of M35 cluster, 17:00.

Italy Will Host IAA Conference + Space Renaissance Congress, Europe Forwards Moon Missions

As European rover Tenacious touches the Moon–although not roving, Italy is prominent this week for lunar / space matters with 12th Symposium on Future Space Exploration, Moon, Mars and Beyond: Becoming an Interplanetary Civilization, co-hosted Jun 9-11 in Torino by International Academy of Astronautics and Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIDAA). Presentations at Thales Alenia Space Italia on Day 1, and historic Castello del Valentino on Days 2 and 3, include Moon Village vision, next logical step beyond LEO, exchange of ideas, new space exploration and commercial start-ups. Co-chair Giuseppe Reibaldi is also President of Moon Village Association; co-chair Les Johnson is from NASA Marshall and an Interstellar Research Group Founding Member. Also in Italy, 3rd National Congress of Space Renaissance Italia, with focus Cislunar economy and civil development of space, the key role of Italy, is Jun 13-15. Civil development of space is proposed as a unique and vital movement toward improving and sustaining human life. A Congress topic is how to make a ‘comfort zone for humans in space,’ looking at energy, peace, pubic policy and vehicle re-use for both visiting and working. A published document (Italian) explains goals and visions. European Lunar Symposium, Münster, Germany, Jun 22-27, accepts virtual registration through Jun 20. ispace-Europe now has contract with ESA for MAGPIE lunar polar ice exploration. (Image Credits: IAA, AIDAA, Space Renaissance Italia, NASA)

 TUESDAY

★ Jun 10 — Juno, Perijove 73 / 72nd Science Flyby, Jupiter Orbit: NASA craft to perform Jupiter flyby during Perijove 73, its 73rd close flyby of Jupiter and 72nd science flyby with instruments turned on.

★ Jun 10 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Axiom Space Mission 4, SLC 4E, Vandenberg SFB CA: Crew Dragon to ISS for ~14 days: Commander is NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson; Sławosz Uznański is from Poland; Tibor Kapu is from Hungary; Shubhanshu Shukla is 1 of 4 ISRO Gaganyaan Vyomanauts and will oversee 7 experiments of ~60 total.

● Jun 10 — SpaceNews, Online: Jeff Foust Conversation with Representative George Whitesides; previously served as NASA Chief of Staff, NSS President and CEO of Virgin Galactic, now representing California 27th District.

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

☾ Jun 10 — Moon: 0.38° SE of Antares, 02:00; Full Strawberry Moon, 21:44.