• China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan Island, China (19° N)

    NET Q3 2028 — Launch Long March 5 / Chang’E-8

    NET Q3 2028 — Chang'E-8 planned to land at Moon South Pole with 10 international projects to conduct in-situ resource utilization experiments; mission includes lander, Pakistan SUPARCO rover, robots for supporting international lunar base buildout.

    Moon Village Association (MVA)
    Global / Inter-Global

    International Moon Day (Annual)

    Celebrating the 1st people walking on the Moon / another celestial body – International Moon Day has been a recognized / endorsed declaration by the United Nations since 2022.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Nationwide USA

    Viking 1 Mars Lander 52nd Landing Observation Anniversary

    First USA spacecraft to successfully land on another planet commemorated today for its accomplishment 52 years ago; originally scheduled for July 4, landing was delayed until this day in 1976 due to rough landing site.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Global / Inter-Global

    Apollo 11, 59th Observation

    First Human mission to land on Moon in 1969; 1st steps by humans on another World taken by Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin; Command Module piloted by Michael Collins.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Heliocentric Orbit

    Parker Solar Probe Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA craft surpasses another full year in space today, having launched Aug 12, 2018; probe came within ~6.16M km of the Sun on Dec 24, 2024 which is ~7 times closer than any prior spacecraft, traveling faster than any other human-made object at ~692,000 km/hr.

    Small Satellite Conference, others
    Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City UT, USA 100 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, United States

    42nd Annual Small Satellite Conference

    $1000
    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    Statio Shiv Shakti, 69.373°S 32.319°E, Moon Surface

    Chandrayaan-3 Commemorated for Moon Landing (2023)

    Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander and Pragyan rover celebrated today after successfully landing on Moon in 2023; marking India as the 4th country to land on Moon, and 1st near the Moon South Pole.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Van Allen Probes Mark Another Year in Space

    NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2012; adding to the understanding of Earth radiation belt environment and its variability.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), SpaceX
    SLC-39B, Kennedy Space Center FL, USA

    NET Sep — Launch Space Launch System (SLS) / Orion for Artemis 4

    NET Sep — NASA Artemis 4th flight (3rd crewed mission) lasting 30 days, planned to send 4 Astronauts to the Lunar Gateway to install the I-Hab module, and conduct a second crewed lunar landing using SpaceX Starship.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Worldwide

    Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Anniversary Observation

    Observed today is 1st planetary defense / asteroid deflection test success: NASA DART crashed into minor-planet moon Dimorphos of asteroid Didymos on this day in 2022, shortening Dimorphos’ orbital period.

    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Astrosat Begins Next Year in Space

    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2015.

  • World Space Week Association
    Worldwide

    World Space Week

    Celebrating international contributions of space science for betterment of the human condition; Oct 4 is 68th observation of 1st Space mission Sputnik One launched by Soviet Union 1957; Oct 10 is 58th observation of Outer Space Treaty going into effect 1967.

    European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Roscosmos State Corporation
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) Begins Next Year in Space

    Detecting some of the most energetic radiation in space, ESA, NASA, Roscosmos spacecraft surpasses another year of operations in space, despite loss of its thrusters; launched 2002, expected to run out of fuel early 2020s and fall to Earth Feb 2029.

    European Space Agency (ESA), Roscosmos State Corporation
    Mars Orbit

    ExoMars 2016 Orbiter Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos spacecraft surpasses another full year at Mars, launched 2016; craft continues collecting data on atmosphere, deployed Schiaparelli demonstration lander 19 Oct 2016 (unsuccessful).

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Mars Orbit

    Mars Odyssey Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in orbit around Mars today, holds record for longest-surviving continually active spacecraft in orbit around a planet other than Earth; launched 2001.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Jupiter Greek camp at Lagrangian point L4

    Lucy Spacecraft to Fly by Asteroid 21900 Orus

    NASA Lucy mission, to encounter 11 asteroids including a main belt and 7 Jupiter Trojans, to come within 1,000 km of 51-km diameter 21900 Orus asteroid (which may be a possible binary) today.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Swift Spacecraft Begins Next Year in Space

    Observing gamma-ray bursts & their afterglows in gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, optical wavelengths from LEO, multiwavelength craft surpasses another year of operations in space today, launched in 2004.

    Milky Way Galaxy

    242nd Galactic Tick Day

    ☆ Nov 24 — 242nd Galactic Tick Day, Milky Way Galaxy: Highlighting Galaxy awareness by celebrating the Solar System traveling around Milky Way Galaxy Center every ~225 million Earth years, one Galactic Tick happens every 633.7 days; first Tick Day was one Tick after October 2nd, 1608 when the first telescope patent […]

  • China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Statio Tianchuan, 43° N 51.9° W, Moon Surface

    Chang’E-5 Begins Next Year on Moon

    China National Space Administration (CNSA) Chang'E-5 lander at Statio Tianchuan "ship sailing in the Milky Way", Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum, Moon (43° N, 51.9° W), surpasses another full year on lunar surface today; landed on this day in 2020, with sample return launching from the Moon 2 days later.

    European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) Begins Next Year in Space

    European Space Agency (ESA) / National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) craft studying sun, surpasses another full year of operations in space today, launched 1995; discovered more than 3,000 comets.

    Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
    Asteroid 98943 Torifune Trajectory

    Hayabusa 2 Begins Next Year in Space

    Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hayabusa surpasses another full year in space today; launched Dec 3, 2014, returned samples to Earth in 2020, and now in extended mission to flyby asteroid 98943 Torifune in 2026 and rendezvous with 1998 KY26 in 2031.

    European Space Agency (ESA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    XMM-Newton Begins Next Year in Space

    European Space Agency (ESA) craft in Very Eccentric Elliptical LEO studying X-ray emissions, star-forming regions, galaxy clusters, environment of supermassive black holes, mapping dark matter, surpasses next full year in space today, launched 1999.

    American Geophysical Union (AGU)
    San Diego CA, USA

    AGU 2028 Annual Meeting

    Save the date for future Annual Meetings: December 11-15, 2028 | San Diego

    China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Guang Han Gong, 44.12°N 19.51°W, Moon Surface

    Chang’E-3 Lander Begins Next Year on Moon

    China National Space Administration (CNSA) spacecraft at Guang Han Gong "Moon Palace", Sinus Iridum / Mare Imbrium, 44.12°N 19.51°W, surpasses another full year on Moon surface, landed 2013.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    WISE / NEOWISE Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer spacecraft (redubbed Near-Earth Object WISE – NEOWISE) surpasses another full year in space today; launched 2009, went into hibernation February 17, 2011 and reactivated August 21, 2013.

    European Space Agency (ESA)
    Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point

    Gaia Spacecraft Begins Next Year in Space

    ESA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today; now in extended mission phase working to map more than 1 billion stars; launched in 2013.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA-ASC)
    Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point

    James Webb Space Telescope Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA (STSci) / ESA / CSA-ASC infrared astronomy telescope surpasses next full year in space since launching on this day via Ariane 5 ECA rocket in 2021.

    European Space Agency (ESA)
    Mars Orbit

    Mars Express Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    ESA spacecraft surpasses next full year in Mars orbit today; will continue to study Mars atmosphere & climate, planet structure, mineralogy, geology, and to search for traces of water; launched June 2, 2003 and arrived at Mars in Dec 2003.

  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    Satish Dhawan Space Center, Sriharikota, India

    NET 2029 — Launch Soorya / Human Moon Mission

    NET 2029 — Potential date for India 1st crewed mission to cislunar space with using Soorya rocket.

    Roscosmos State Corporation
    Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia

    NET 2029 — Launch Luna-28

    NET 2029 — Roscosmos hoping to launch Launch Luna-28 (Luna-Resurs 2) to the Moon South Pole region for sample return mission.

    China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan Island, China (19° N)

    NET 2029 — Launch Tianwen-3 to Jupiter

    NET 2029 — China planning to launch its first probe to Jupiter this year with the Tianwen-3.

    China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    TBD

    NET 2029 — Launch Solar Polar Orbit Observatory

    NET 2029 — Expected launch of CNSA Solar Polar Orbit Observatory spacecraft to enter a high-inclination orbit around the Sun to observe its poles, via a gravity-assist maneuver at Jupiter.

    European Space Agency (ESA)
    Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point

    NET 2029 — End of Euclid Nominal Mission

    NET 2029 — Scheduled end of European Space Agency Euclid mission which is measuring accelerated expansion of Universe, aiding in understanding of dark energy / dark matter; future plans / extensions to be determined.

    China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan Island, China (19° N)

    NET 2029 — Launch Long March 10 / Human Moon Landing

    NET 2029 — Tentative date for China's crewed spaceflight program to have first of its multiple human Moon missions to the Moon South Pole region using 2 launches, one for crew spacecraft Mengzhou and one for lander Lanyue that will rendezvous in lunar orbit; developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle […]

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Nationwide USA

    Apollo 1, 62nd Observation

    Increasing space awareness and education, remembrances and events honor three Apollo 1 crew members lost in 1967 during a launch pad test: Command Pilot Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Nationwide USA

    Challenger STS-51L, 43rd Observation

    Educational and ceremonial events held worldwide to advance space technology / education and honor 7 crew members killed in Shuttle accident 28 January 1986: Commander Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Astronaut Christa McAuliffe (the 1st ‘Teacher in Space’), Mission Specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnick and […]

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Nationwide USA

    Columbia STS-107, 26th Observation

    Annual international conferences and events take place to further space exploration efforts in remembrance of Columbia 7 loss in 2003: Commander Richard D. Husband, Mission Specialist Laurel Clark, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon (the ‘1st Israeli astronaut’) and Astronauts: William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown and Kalpana Chawla […]

    European Space Agency (ESA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Roscosmos State Corporation
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    NET Feb — INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) to Reenter Earth Atomsphere

    NET Feb — INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) space telescope will burn up upon Earth atmosphere reentry this month due to natural orbit decay after running out of fuel reserves / end of science mission in early 2020s; launched Oct 2002.

    Lunar Calendar
    China (Zhongguo) / Worldwide

    Lunar New Year

    Lunar New Year 2029 Spring Festival marks the Year of the Rooster.

  • ESA / JAXA
    Mercury Orbit

    NET Apr — BepiColombo Spacecraft End of Extended Mission

    NET Apr — European Space Agency / JAXA Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (BepiColombo) end of extended mission, 9.98 Mercury years after orbit insertion; potential extension of mission or de-orbit plans TBD.

    Hawai'i, USA
    Statewide Hawai’i, USA

    Pōwehi Day

    Recognized proclamation to celebrate the first-ever imaged black hole M87* by Event Horizon Telescope collaboration involving Mauna Kea Observatories, given the Hawaiian name Pōwehi; imaged in April 2017 and released Apr 10, 2019.

    Yuri's Night
    Worldwide

    Yuri’s Night Celebrations

    Launching parties around the world every year on or around April 12th, in commemoration of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to venture into space on April 12, 1961, and the inaugural launch of the first Space Shuttle on April 12, 1981. We use space to bring the world together, […]

    Asteroid 99942 Apophis
    Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

    Asteroid 99942 Apophis to Fly by Earth

    On this day, which happens to be a Friday, 370-meter diameter asteroid (previously known as 2004 MN4) will narrowly miss Earth by about 30,000 km, which is classified as Medium Earth Orbit (2,000 - 35,786 km).

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Asteroid 99942 Apophis Orbit

    OSIRIS-APEX to Rendezvous with Asteroid 99942 Apophis

    OSIRIS-APophis EXplorer (OSIRIS-APEX) is planned rendezvous with and orbit asteroid Apophis starting today for 9 months following the asteroid’s close Earth approach which occurred April 13, 2029; craft previously known as Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) which returned samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth on Sep 24, 2023.

    China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    China (Zhongguo)

    National Day of Space Flight

    Commemorating the launch of China’s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1 on April 24, 1970.

  • International Space Day
    Worldwide

    International Space Day

    First Friday in May, events and presentations to promote STEM education and inspire people to continue the work of Space explorers; originally began as ‘National Space Day’ in 1997 by Lockheed Martin Corp.

  • China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Deep Space

    NET July — Chang’E-2 to come within 7M km of Earth

    NET July — China Chang’E-2 spacecraft expected to come within 7M km of Earth around this date after reaching 300M km apogee; craft was launched 1 October 2010.

    Moon Village Association (MVA)
    Global / Inter-Global

    International Moon Day (Annual)

    Celebrating the 1st people walking on the Moon / another celestial body – International Moon Day has been a recognized / endorsed declaration by the United Nations since 2022.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Nationwide USA

    Viking 1 Mars Lander 53rd Landing Observation Anniversary

    First USA spacecraft to successfully land on another planet commemorated today for its accomplishment 53 years ago; originally scheduled for July 4, landing was delayed until this day in 1976 due to rough landing site.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Global / Inter-Global

    Apollo 11, 60th Observation

    First Human mission to land on Moon in 1969; 1st steps by humans on another World taken by Commander Neil Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin; Command Module piloted by Michael Collins.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Heliocentric Orbit

    Parker Solar Probe Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA craft surpasses another full year in space today, having launched Aug 12, 2018; probe came within ~6.16M km of the Sun on Dec 24, 2024 which is ~7 times closer than any prior spacecraft, traveling faster than any other human-made object at ~692,000 km/hr.

    Small Satellite Conference, others
    Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City UT, USA 100 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, United States

    43rd Annual Small Satellite Conference

    $1000
    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    Statio Shiv Shakti, 69.373°S 32.319°E, Moon Surface

    Chandrayaan-3 Commemorated for Moon Landing (2023)

    Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander and Pragyan rover celebrated today after successfully landing on Moon in 2023; marking India as the 4th country to land on Moon, and 1st near the Moon South Pole.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Van Allen Probes Mark Another Year in Space

    NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2012; adding to the understanding of Earth radiation belt environment and its variability.

  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Astrosat Begins Next Year in Space

    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2015.

  • World Space Week Association
    Worldwide

    World Space Week

    Celebrating international contributions of space science for betterment of the human condition; Oct 4 is 68th observation of 1st Space mission Sputnik One launched by Soviet Union 1957; Oct 10 is 58th observation of Outer Space Treaty going into effect 1967.

    European Space Agency (ESA), Roscosmos State Corporation
    Mars Orbit

    ExoMars 2016 Orbiter Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    European Space Agency (ESA) and Roscosmos spacecraft surpasses another full year at Mars, launched 2016; craft continues collecting data on atmosphere, deployed Schiaparelli demonstration lander 19 Oct 2016 (unsuccessful).

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Mars Orbit

    Mars Odyssey Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in orbit around Mars today, holds record for longest-surviving continually active spacecraft in orbit around a planet other than Earth; launched 2001.

  • Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Swift Spacecraft Begins Next Year in Space

    Observing gamma-ray bursts & their afterglows in gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, optical wavelengths from LEO, multiwavelength craft surpasses another year of operations in space today, launched in 2004.

  • Statio Tianchuan, 43° N 51.9° W, Moon Surface

    Chang’E-5 Begins Next Year on Moon

    China National Space Administration (CNSA) Chang'E-5 lander at Statio Tianchuan "ship sailing in the Milky Way", Mons Rümker, Oceanus Procellarum, Moon (43° N, 51.9° W), surpasses another full year on lunar surface today; landed on this day in 2020, with sample return launching from the Moon 2 days later.

    Asteroid 98943 Torifune Trajectory

    Hayabusa 2 Begins Next Year in Space

    Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Hayabusa surpasses another full year in space today; launched Dec 3, 2014, returned samples to Earth in 2020, and now in extended mission to flyby asteroid 98943 Torifune in 2026 and rendezvous with 1998 KY26 in 2031.

    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    XMM-Newton Begins Next Year in Space

    European Space Agency (ESA) craft in Very Eccentric Elliptical LEO studying X-ray emissions, star-forming regions, galaxy clusters, environment of supermassive black holes, mapping dark matter, surpasses next full year in space today, launched 1999.

    Guang Han Gong, 44.12°N 19.51°W, Moon Surface

    Chang’E-3 Lander Begins Next Year on Moon

    China National Space Administration (CNSA) spacecraft at Guang Han Gong "Moon Palace", Sinus Iridum / Mare Imbrium, 44.12°N 19.51°W, surpasses another full year on Moon surface, landed 2013.

    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    WISE / NEOWISE Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer spacecraft (redubbed Near-Earth Object WISE – NEOWISE) surpasses another full year in space today; launched 2009, went into hibernation February 17, 2011 and reactivated August 21, 2013.

    Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point

    Gaia Spacecraft Begins Next Year in Space

    ESA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today; now in extended mission phase working to map more than 1 billion stars; launched in 2013.

    Mars Orbit

    Mars Express Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    ESA spacecraft surpasses next full year in Mars orbit today; will continue to study Mars atmosphere & climate, planet structure, mineralogy, geology, and to search for traces of water; launched June 2, 2003 and arrived at Mars in Dec 2003.

  • Roscosmos State Corporation
    Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia

    NET 2030 — Launch Angara A5 / Luna-29

    NET 2030 — Roscosmos hoping to launch Angara A5 with Luna-29 (Luna-Resurs 3) Moon South Pole lander and rover; mission goals / landing site TBD, will support future Human base.

    Roscosmos State Corporation
    TBD

    NET 2030 — Launch Millimetron (Spektr-M)

    NET 2030 — Russia hopes to launch Millimetron (Spektr-M) space observatory with a diameter of 10 meters to Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange Point to study black holes, formation of stars, planets, galaxies.

    American Astronomical Society (AAS)
    National Harbor MD, USA

    255th Meeting of the AAS

    At Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

  • Statewide Hawai’i, USA

    Pōwehi Day

    Recognized proclamation to celebrate the first-ever imaged black hole M87* by Event Horizon Telescope collaboration involving Mauna Kea Observatories, given the Hawaiian name Pōwehi; imaged in April 2017 and released Apr 10, 2019.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Jupiter Orbit

    Europa Clipper to Insert into Jupiter Orbit

    Europa Clipper mission to insert into Jupiter orbit on this day to study Galileo moon Europa through a series of 44 close flybys (25 to 2,700 km); launched 10 October 2024.

    Yuri's Night
    Worldwide

    Yuri’s Night Celebrations

    Launching parties around the world every year on or around April 12th, in commemoration of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human to venture into space on April 12, 1961, and the inaugural launch of the first Space Shuttle on April 12, 1981. We use space to bring the world together, […]

    China (Zhongguo)

    National Day of Space Flight

    Commemorating the launch of China’s first satellite, Dongfanghong-1 on April 24, 1970.

  • Worldwide

    International Space Day

    First Friday in May, events and presentations to promote STEM education and inspire people to continue the work of Space explorers; originally began as ‘National Space Day’ in 1997 by Lockheed Martin Corp.

    Nationwide USA

    John F. Kennedy 1st Moon Speech

    NASA Artemis program to land 1st Woman and Person of Color on Moon is well underway as today is recognized for Kennedy declaring to congress “I believe that this Nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning […]

  • Moon Village Association (MVA)
    Global / Inter-Global

    International Moon Day (Annual)

    Celebrating the 1st people walking on the Moon / another celestial body – International Moon Day has been a recognized / endorsed declaration by the United Nations since 2022.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Nationwide USA

    Viking 1 Mars Lander 54th Landing Observation Anniversary

    First USA spacecraft to successfully land on another planet commemorated today for its accomplishment 54 years ago; originally scheduled for July 4, landing was delayed until this day in 1976 due to rough landing site.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Heliocentric Orbit

    Parker Solar Probe Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA craft surpasses another full year in space today, having launched Aug 12, 2018; probe came within ~6.16M km of the Sun on Dec 24, 2024 which is ~7 times closer than any prior spacecraft, traveling faster than any other human-made object at ~692,000 km/hr.

    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    Statio Shiv Shakti, 69.373°S 32.319°E, Moon Surface

    Chandrayaan-3 Commemorated for Moon Landing (2023)

    Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander and Pragyan rover celebrated today after successfully landing on Moon in 2023; marking India as the 4th country to land on Moon, and 1st near the Moon South Pole.

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Van Allen Probes Mark Another Year in Space

    NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2012; adding to the understanding of Earth radiation belt environment and its variability.

  • Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Astrosat Begins Next in Space

    Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory surpasses another full year in space today, launched 2015.

  • Mars Orbit

    Mars Odyssey Begins Next Year in Mars Orbit

    NASA spacecraft surpasses another full year in orbit around Mars today, holds record for longest-surviving continually active spacecraft in orbit around a planet other than Earth; launched 2001.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Jupiter Trajectory

    Lucy Spacecraft 3rd Earth Flyby (660 km)

    NASA mission to encounter 11 asteroids, including a main belt and 7 Jupiter Trojans, to perform Earth flyby / gravity assist today coming within 660 km after reaching Jupiter orbit and returning to the vicinity of the Earth.    

  • Roscosmos State Corporation
    Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia

    NET 2031 — Launch Luna-30 Lander

    Roscosmos State Corporation planning to launch Launch Luna-30 lander to deliver a reusable cargo delivery spacecraft with supplies for human missions.

    European Space Agency (ESA)
    Launch Area 4, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

    NET 2031 — Launch Ariane 6-4 / Argonaut

    European Space Agency planning to launch the Argonaut Lunar Descent Element -- lunar lander built by Thales Alenia Space to the Moon.

  • Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
    Asteroid 1998 KY26

    NET Jul — Hayabusa 2, Asteroid 1998 KY26 Rendezvous

    ☆ NET Jul — JAXA Hayabusa 2 mission to rendezvous with asteroid 1998 KY26, after returning samples from (162173) Ryugu to Earth in 2020 and flying by asteroid 98943 Torifune in 2026.

    European Space Agency (ESA)
    Jupiter Orbit

    NET July — JUICE Spacecraft to Insert into Jupiter Orbit

    NET July — ESA Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) expected to reach Jupiter this month if launched April 2023; will perform a flyby of Ganymede 7.5-hours before Jupiter insertion; will spend at least 3.5 years studying Jupiter atmosphere and magnetosphere, moons Ganymede, Europa, Callisto and Io with 10 state-of-the-art instruments […]

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Heliocentric Orbit

    Parker Solar Probe Begins Next Year in Space

    NASA craft surpasses another full year in space today, having launched Aug 12, 2018; probe came within ~6.16M km of the Sun on Dec 24, 2024 which is ~7 times closer than any prior spacecraft, traveling faster than any other human-made object at ~692,000 km/hr.

    Milky Way Galaxy

    243rd Galactic Tick Day

    Highlighting Galaxy awareness by celebrating the Solar System traveling around Milky Way Galaxy Center every ~225 million Earth years, one Galactic Tick happens every 633.7 days; first Tick Day was one Tick after October 2nd, 1608 when the first telescope patent was filed.

  • Sun-Mercury
    Global / Inter-Global

    Transit of Mercury

    Mercury to pass directly between Earth and Sun; observers see distant planet as small dot gliding slowly across face of Sun; starts Nov 12 at 20:41 HST, ends 01:07 Nov 13.

  • China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan Island, China (19° N)

    NET 2033 — Launch Long March 9 Test Flight

    Tentative date for China to test launch its next-gen rocket intended to carry people and cargo to the Moon.

    Roscosmos State Corporation
    Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia

    NET 2033 — Launch Luna-31

    Roscosmos hoping to launch lander to deliver a heavy lunar rover weighing up to 5,000 kg, capable of mining / extracting lunar resources.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Jupiter Trojan camp at L5

    Lucy to Flyby Asteroids 617 Patroclus and Menoetius

    NASA Lucy mission to come within 1,000 km of 113-km diameter 617 Patroclus and 104-km diameter Menoetius, p-type binary asteroids; Lucy will be in a stable, 6-year orbit between the L4 and L5 -- mission extension may be granted.

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Heliocentric Orbit

    Lucy Spacecraft End of Primary Mission, Continues Orbit Around Sun

    End of primary mission for NASA Lucy mission, future science and mission plan extension TBD; mission is a twelve-year journey to eight different asteroids, and craft will continue to orbit the Sun in a stable orbit between the L4 and L5 Trojan swarms around Jupiter. 

  • China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

    Tiangong Space Station, 10 Years of Continuous Human Occupation

    Today marks 10th full year / starts 11th year of continuous Human occupation of Tiangong Space Station; Shenzhou 14 three-member crew launched on this day in 2022, beginning occupation.

  • Roscosmos State Corporation
    Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia

    NET 2035 — Launch Luna-32

    Roscosmos hopes to launch Luna-32 to deliver heavy modules weighing up to 5,000 kg for the construction of the International Lunar Research Station by this date.

    Roscosmos State Corporation
    Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia

    NET 2035 — Launch Luna-33

    Roscosmos hopes to launch Luna-33 orbiter to be used for communication and navigation for Human Moon Missions and lunar base.

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