Wednesday / 23 May 2018

Japan Boosting Lunar Exploration Through New Space Exploration Organization To Be Established This Summer

JAXA Astronaut Takuya Onishi (L) Says Japan Will Establish New Institution For Space Exploration This Summer As Directed By Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R), To Contribute To Lunar Exploration Logistics, Habitation, Lander & Rover, Including US$320M HTV-X Delivery Spacecraft For Supporting International Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway; JAXA Exploration Plan Based On Joint Lunar Studies With ISRO, NASA, & ESA

Credits: JAXA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 18-21 May 2018

Chang’e-4 Relay To Attempt Detection Of Radio Signals From Cosmic Dark Ages

China To Launch Long March 4C / Chang’e-4 Relay From Xichang 20 May, Precursor For November Moon South Pole Lander; Loft 2 Microsatellites To Lunar Orbit For Low Frequency Radio Astronomy & Interferometry, And Relay Satellite (Queqiao) To L2 Which Carries Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer (NCLE) Pathfinder; NCLE Scheduled To Unspool Three 2-meter Antennas March 2019, Detect Radio Signals Pre-First Stars, Study Solar Flares & Jupiter Aurora; NCLE PI Heino Falcke Advocates For Radio Astronomy From Moon

Credits: CNSA, NASA, Radboud University, ASTRON Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 11-14 May 2018

LRO Mapping And Monitoring Lunar Surface Supports NASA Return To Moon Plans

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Surpasses 40,000 Orbits Around Moon, Gathering Information On Lunar Temperatures, Geologic Activity, Newly Formed Craters, Topographical Changes; On 23 June Spacecraft With 7 Operating Instruments Will Celebrate 9 Full Years In Orbit; Inertial Measurement Unit Indicates Low Functionality, Will Be Powered Down Except For Lunar Eclipses, Safe Mode Entries; 34th Data Set Release Upcoming, Invaluable Mission Supports International, National, Commercial, Academic Ventures & Research

Credits: NASA

Friday / 11 May 2018

Moon Village Association (MVA) Building Global Network For Lunar Development Approach

MVA Advancing Various Aspects Of Moon Village Research With 10 Working Groups Including Architecture, Human Factors, Markets / Economy, Data Harmonization – Toward 2018 Annual International MV Workshop Set For 4-5 November In Los Angeles, Following The Inaugural Meeting In Strasbourg; Inclusive Platform, Comprised Of ~150 Members And Institutions In 34 Countries, Envisions Government Programs & Projects, Diverse Array Of Commercial Ventures, Science / Academic Organizations Implementing Sustainable Return To The Moon & Multi World Civilization; MVA President Giuseppe Reibaldi To Keynote At ILOA Galaxy Forum Hainan 4-7 December

Credits: MVA

Wednesday / 9 May 2018

 Spacetide Conference In Tokyo Propels Private Space Industry

3rd Spacetide Foundation Conference On 10 May At Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall To Draw Over 500 Attendees; Focus On Space Tech Advancement, Growth Impact For Non-Space Industry, Commercial Support, Moon Exploration & Economy, Japan Space Vision 2030 Goals & Lunar Property Rights / Resource Ownership; 29 Panelists, 8 Venture Pitches, 3 Featured Presentations To Include (L-R) Spacetide Founder Masayasu Ishida, JAXA Astronaut Koichi Wakata, ispace CEO Takeshi Hakamada, Space Frontier Foundation Chairman Jeff Feige 

Credits: Spacetide, ispace, JAXA, ISPCS, NASA

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 4-7 May 2018

ILOA / Galaxy Forum 10 Years On

International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) Board Of Directors Meeting 25 May During ISDC In Los Angeles Will Consider 4 Lunar Mission Update Including Project Partners Moon Express & Canadensys, Human Moon Mission, First Women On The Moon Initiative – Highlighted In 2018 Application For IAF 3G Diversity Award, Astronomy From The Moon Major Advancements At Events: NVM2, 232nd AAS, 30th IAU GA, Galaxy Forum Europe – Vienna In Aug, Galaxy Forum Hainan 4-7 Dec China, Galaxy Forum Japan Feb 2019 TBD; ILOA Strategic MMoU Principal Operating Partnership Gaining Momentum Toward Feb 2019 Southeast Asia Benefactors Reception In Singapore

Credits: ILOA, GF, SPC, NASA, Canadensys, ME, ESA, CNSA, ISRO

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

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 6-9 Apr 2018

ILOA Announces Galaxy Forum Hainan 2018: China, Themed International Human Moon Missions, And Astronomy From The Moon

Registration Now Open For 4-7 December 2018 Galaxy Forum Hainan Being Held At Hilton Wenchang On Hainan Island, China’s Southernmost Province; Featured Speakers Include Dr. Andy Aldrin, Prof. Ziyuan Ouyang, Astronaut Soyeon Yi, ILOA Director Steve Durst, Dr. Maohai Huang, Dr. David Schrunk, Dr. Chris Sallaberger; Participation Will Come From Global Commercial, International, National Representatives; Sponsors / Supporters Are International Lunar Observatory Association, Chinese Society Of Astronautics, National Astronomical Observatories Of China, International Astronautical Federation, Canadian Space Agency

Credits: ILOA, SPC, CSA, NAOC, IAF, CSA-ASC

Friday / 6 Apr 2018

Preserving Apollo Moon Landing Sites For Research Recommended By White House

White House Office Of Science & Technology Publishes Report “Protecting & Preserving Apollo Program Lunar Landing Sites & Artifacts”; Recommends Studying Long-Term Effects Of Lunar Environment Including Extreme Temperatures, Lunar Dust, Micro-Meteoroids, Solar Radiation On Over 187,000-kg Human-Made Materials Left Behind By 6 Apollo Missions; Opportunity For International, Commercial Cooperation With Future Moon Missions To Survey On A “Reciprocal, Transparent, Mutually Beneficial Basis”

Credits: NASA, White House, Lunar and Planetary Society

Weekend Edition
Fri-Mon / 30 Mar – 2 Apr 2018

Major Spacefaring Powers Discuss Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, Collaboration With China

The 2nd Symposium ‘Return To The Moon: A Partnership Of Government, Academia & Industry’ Hosted By USRA, GWU And SPI, Enhances Plans For International / Commercial Cooperation To Land Humans On Moon, Build Permanent Presence In Cislunar Space; 12th Man On Moon (L) Harrison Schmitt Says China Is Geopolitical Imperative; Robert Lightfoot Of NASA States USA Looking To Engage Academia & Industry In International Effort To Explore Space, Vital To Utilize Moon As Step Toward Mars; Space Policy White Paper By D. Holland & J. Burns Includes Analysis Of USA Mixed Comments On Becoming ‘Leading’ Space Power And ‘True International Collaboration’, As Well As Unfocused Exploration Priorities / Goals

Credits: Boeing Co., NASA