Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 22-25 Oct 2021

‘Superhighway’ in Cislunar Space Vital to Peaceful 21st Century Space Exploration / Logistics

Cislunar space is subject of USA commercial and government attention with US$697,000 SBIR phase 2 award to Rhea Space Activity funding development of cislunar tracking system as plans are made for refueling / resupply depots at Earth-Moon Lagrange points; Access to key trajectories / areas in and around Moon will be competitive, highlighting need for 1959 Antarctica Treaty-style diplomacy guaranteeing Apollo ‘In Peace for All’ ethos in keeping with spirit of 1967 Outer Space Treaty, foundation of modern Artemis Accords

Credits: NASA, BAS

Tuesday / 27 Oct 2020

IAF Launches Live, Free Web Series On Global Space Advances And Developments

 First Session Of International Astronautical Federation Global Networking Forum Space Conversations Series 28 Oct Will Feature JAXA Space Exploration System Technology Unit Director / ISECG Chair Naoki Sato Presenting On Lunar Surface Exploration Scenario Update To Global Exploration Roadmap, Developed With 24 National Space Agencies; 12-Objective Plan To Be Achieved Via 3 Phase Plan: Boots On The Moon, Expanding And Building, Sustained Lunar Opportunities; Space Conversations To Be Held Wednesdays Bi-Weekly, Starting 1400 CEST

Credits: JAXA, IAF, ISECG

Wednesday / 11 Apr 2018

International Space Exploration Coordination Group Promotes Importance Of Moon In New Global Exploration Roadmap

ISECG, Comprised Of 15 Space Agencies, Helps Advance International Station In Lunar Orbit For The 2020s; Kathy Laurini, NASA Senior Adviser For Space Exploration & Operations, Says NASA Plans To Develop Lunar Orbiting Platform-Gateway In Alignment With The Global Exploration Roadmap; Solicitation To Be Issued This Month For 1st Gateway Element – Power & Propulsion Module – Aiming To Launch In 2022; ISECG Is Currently Chaired By Naoki Satoh Of JAXA

Credits: ISECG, NASA, JAXA

Friday / 9 Feb 2018

Deep Space Gateway To The Moon South Pole:
5 Landing Sites Being Explored

International Space Exploration Coordination Group Developing Navigation Routes For 5-Year Campaign Of 5 Human Moon Landing Missions From Envisioned Deep Space Gateway Starting 2028 At Malapert Massif, Shackleton Crater, Schrödinger Basin, Antoniadi Crater, South Pole-Aitken Basin; NASA NexGen ELA Study In 2015 Indicates Human Lunar Return 5-7 Years For US$10B Thru Public-Private Collaboration; Commercial Space At National Space Council Meeting 2017 Confirms Statement Adding Committed Funding & Political Support Necessary – Next Meeting 21 Feb; Reusable Moon Lander For Crew & Robots Would Be Most Essential For Moon, Deep Space Exploration States Clive Neal (R)

Credits: Leonard David, Scientific American; Image Credit: NASA, ISECG, Notre Dame

Wednesday / 7 Feb 2018

JAXA To Hold Workshops On Lunar Polar Exploration & Global Exploration Roadmap

JAXA Announces 2nd Workshop On Exploration Of Moon Polar Region To Be Held Feb 19 To Deepen Discussion Toward International Collaboration On Instruments & Vehicles For Exploring Water Ice, In Conjunction With Workshop On International Space Exploration Coordination Group Global Exploration Roadmap Feb 18; Drawing On Results From 2-Day Workshop Dec 8-9, 2017; Both In Tokyo & Open To Public – Soliciting Participation From Private Sectors & Universities; Marks Rapid Growth Of Japan Interest In Moon, Including Human Exploration

Pictured: JAXA lunar scientist Makiko Ohtake (top left), JAXA workshop convener Hiroki Furihata; Credits: JAXA, Makoto Nakamura, SPC

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 5-8 Jan 2018

New Year 2018 Likely To See Increased Lunar Activities Worldwide

Increasing Moon Efforts By USA, India, China, Europe, Japan, Russia, Canada, South Korea Reflected By Growing Number Of International Lunar Conferences: Lunar Science For Landed Missions Workshop At NASA Ames 10-12 Jan, New Views Of The Moon 2 – Asia In Japan 18-20 Apr, European Lunar Symposium In Toulouse 13-16 May, International MoonBase Summit In Hawai`i Oct, ILOA Galaxy Forum China In Hainan Nov With Themes “Astronomy From The Moon” & “International Human Moon Missions”

Credits: NASA, LPI, International MoonBase Alliance, ISRO

Thanksgiving Weekend Edition
Thu-Mon / 23-27 Nov 2017

Lunar Interests / Plans Accelerate Globally

Moon Village Association / ESA Records Progress At ISU In Strasbourg, France; US National Space Council Working Scenarios For 3-7 Year Human Moon Return; India Early 2018 Chandrayaan-2 Moon South Pole Touchdown Could Startle Global Space Communities; China Expanding Astronomy From The Moon Activities With Chang’e-4 VLF Payloads And Technology; India-Japan Announce Lunar Sample Return Collaboration; Canada Space Agency LEAD Project To Support International HERACLES Moon South Pole Mission Concept; Prospective Candidates For ‘First Woman On The Moon’ Rising

 Credits: ESA/ Foster + Partners, WH.gov, ISRO, CAST, JAXA, SPC / ILOA, CSA

Special Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 14-17 Oct 2016

First Woman On The Moon:
Chinese? American? Other?

international-woman-on-the-moon

While 46 Of The 60 Women Astronauts Are American, NASA Has No Plans To Put 1st Woman On Moon, Reclaim Greatest Advance In Human History / Multi World Species, Reach New Frontier Of Moon South Pole; China May Be Well Positioned To Put 1st Woman On Moon As Chang’e, Tiangong, Long March Rocket Programs Prove Reliability, And Planning Shows Step-By-Step Logical Progression; Russia & ESA Hope For Eventual Human Lunar Bases, Japan Plans Human Lander After SELENE-3, Canada Participating In ISECG Road Map Which May Include Moon Missions & On NASA Robotic Resource Prospector Mission 2018, S Korea Focusing On 1st Moon Orbiter 2018, Robotic Lander / Rover 2020

Pictured: L-R, T-B: Wang Yaping, Liu Yang (China), Julie Payette (Canada), Naoko Yamazaki (Japan), Yelena Serova (Russia), Yi So-yeon (S Korea)

Credits: CNSA, NASA, CSA, KARI, RSA, JAXA

Friday / 12 August 2016

ILDWG Proposes G20 Leaders Discuss Financial Promise Of Developing Moon, Space Economy

ILDWG 2016

International Lunar Decade Working Group Urges Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) To Include Space Development At G20 Summit In Hamburg July 2017 As Innovative, Global Strategy For Building Sustainable, Long Term Future For Humanity; Moon Village Would Include More Nations, Surpass Financial Scope Of ISS; Cislunar Space Infrastructure Could Reduce Costs & Risks Of Operating In Space; Space-Based Resources, Asteroid Mining Would Create Hundreds Of Thousands Of Jobs, Drive Innovation & Discovery, Generate Tools For Earth Climate Change, Planetary Defense

Credit: ILDWG, ESA, NSS, NASA, ISDC, SFF, 5FM, Researchgate, G20

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 4-7 December 2015

Sustainable Revitalization Strategies For Lunar Exploration To Be Discussed At “Moon 2020-2030”

1252015Moon 2020-2030 Symposium On Human & Robotic Exploration Being Held At ESTEC Noordwijk, The Netherlands 15-16 Dec Will Examine & Build Upon Approaches And Innovations For Lunar Missions; Symposium “Will Be A Key Step In Advancing The International Approach For Lunar Exploration Together With Key Players From Agencies, Academia, And Industry”; Objectives Invite Contributions In Multiple Areas Including: Operational Human Roles, Opportunities Of Lunar Exploration For Society, Planned Missions & Capabilities; Opening Plenary Session By ESA Head Of Propulsion And Aerothermodynamics Division Giorgio Saccoccia To Discuss Exploration Technology Roadmaps In Support Of Moon Initiatives & Technology Prioritization

Credit: ESA, Foster + Partners