World Space Week Observes Apollo and Looks Forward to Artemis

October 4-10 is the 20th UN-declared World Space Week, the largest space event on Earth. The dates mark observation of Sputnik 1 on Oct 4 and signing of the Outer Space Treaty Oct 10. Theme for 2019 events is “The Moon: Gateway to the Stars” remembering the 50th observation of Apollo 11 and looking forward to Artemis projected return to the Moon. Space Week is celebrated with more than 3,700 events from 80 countries in museums, aerospace companies, schools, planetariums and astronomy clubs. From Sept 26 to Oct 4, ocean liner Queen Mary 2 sails on an official Space Week transatlantic cruise, featuring Astronauts Ulrich Walter and Robert Thirsk along with Sue and Amy Bean, wife and daughter of Astronaut Alan Bean. On International Observe the Moon Night Oct 5 astronomy organizations worldwide will be pointing telescopes at Earth’s closest galactic neighbor. Space Youth Association of Thailand, which is associated with JAXA-Thailand, will hold a special session Oct 6 on a National Space Exploration project. Wales Egni Coop will be building a simulated Moon capsule at the Pontardawe Arts Centre. Due date for International Lunar Observatory Association and Moon Village Association ‘First Women on the Moon Essay Contest 2019’ has been extended to TBD. NASA Artemis mission to land first women on the Moon receiving increased funding if proposed budget is approved by Congress. (Image Credits: NASA, Cunard Lines, World Space Week)

MONDAY

Australia Steps Up Space Ambitions with NASA Cooperation Pact and Space Science / Industry Conference

Little more than a year after formation, Australian Space Agency (ASA) has entered into an agreement with NASA to cooperate on Artemis 2024 human Moon landing mission. Australia will contribute industrial expertise in automated mining refined in its vast Outback and remote medical technologies developed for Antarctic exploration, as well as an initial capital commitment of US$150M (AUS$102M). This agreement comes less than a month after Australia implemented regulatory reforms in Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 legislation, easing launch barriers. Long fostering this emerging domestic space focus have been National Committee for Space and Radio Science and the National Space Society of Australia, which together with support from ASA organize the 13th annual Australian Space Research Conference. This year, researchers will be joined by industry as the 8th Space Forum held by South Australian Space Industry Centre will be held in conjunction, making the total gathering a 3-day event, September 30 to October 2. The unified event will be held at Adelaide Convention Centre. In addition to space science, technology, and industry topics, the conference will also have sessions on indigenous sky knowledge / archeo-astronomy, international relations / law, and space situational awareness. Notable presenters include Dr. Megan Clark, Director-General of ASA, and Luca Del Monte, Head of Industrial Policy and SME Division at ESA, who will give the keynote address. (Image Credits: NASA, ASA, University of Sydney, Australian Academy of Science, National Space Society of Australia)

Sep 30 — Roscosmos State Corporation,

Sep 30 — Institute of Physics Scotland, Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen, United Kingdom: Lecture: Return to the Moon; by Tim Browett from Aberdeen Astronomical Society, 19:00-20:15.

 Sep 30 — Cornell University, Ithaca NY: Colloquium: ‘Oumuamua; by Darryl Seligman  from Yale University, 12:15.

 Sep 30 — NASA, Online: Last Day to Submit Names to Fly on NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover.

Sep 30 – Oct 2 — National Committee for Space and Radio Science, National Space Society of Australia, Adelaide, Australia: 19th Australian Space Research Conference and 8th South Australia Space Forum, Adelaide Convention Centre.

Sep 30 – Oct 4 — ESA, CNES, Airbus Defense and Space, Prototech AS, University of Valencia, Thales Alenia Space, AESS, IEEE, Juan-les-Pins, France: European Space Power Conference 2019.

Sep 30 — Apollo Asteroid 2019 SN3: Near-Earth Flyby (0.006 AU)

Sep 30 — Apollo Asteroid 2019 SH3: Near-Earth Flyby (0.008 AU)

Sep 30 — Apollo Asteroid 2019 SP: Near-Earth Flyby (0.017 AU)

Continued from…

Jan 2019 – Sep 2020 — New Horizons, Kuiper Belt: Full data from spacecraft 7 instruments during KBO Ultima Thule flyby to be transmitted to Earth over this time period.

NET Aug – Nov — Hayabusa2, Asteroid 162173 Ryugu: JAXA Hayabusa2 with 2 sample returns planned to remain at Asteroid for observations during this time period, then return to Earth.

Sep 26 – Oct 4 — World Space Week Association, Cunard Lines, Royal Astronomical Society, Aboard Queen Mary 2: World Space Week Cruise, Space-themed crossing from Southampton to New York with astronomer and astronaut guests.

Sep 28 – Oct 4 — AMS, NOAA, Eumetsat, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, et al, Boston MA: 2019 Joint Satellite Conference.