China to Launch Shenzhou, Holds 2nd Lunar Samples Forum and National Space Day During China Space Conference

Tiangong Space Station Taikonauts are planning to welcome Shenzhou 20 three-member crew subsequent to their launch from Jiuquan aboard a Long March 2F rocket. Similar to the current 3-member crew, they expect a stay of about 180 days. April 22-23 will assemble scientists in Shanghai for presentation of the latest research into Moon regolith samples returned via the Chang’E-5 and Chang’E-6 missions. Also in Shanghai, Apr 23-26, ~1,200 guests from 40+ countries are expected for the China Space Conference. Goals include not only technological innovation but international cooperation and exchanges. Conference activities include forums, exhibitions, roadshows and cultural experiences. One of the forums is on Advanced Aerospace Materials, Structures and Manufacturing Technologies, and one could imaging a report on the research and development of the mag-lev launch system being accomplished in China by private aerospace company Galactic Energy, which would accelerate rockets to at least Mach 1 before ignition, saving approximately 87.54% of its fuel. Other Space Conference forums include space biology , space policy / law, and an International Forum on Commercial Space Industry. Over 400 related activities: science lectures and seminars, space knowledge competitions and the China Space Culture and Art Form will be held, particularly in celebration of April 24 as the Space Day of China, which marks the launch of its first satellite “Dongfanghong-1” on that day in 1970. (Image credits: CNSA, CMSA, CSA, CSF)

MONDAY

☆ Apr 21 — International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 73 7-member crew is continuing vision, respiratory and circulatory system research; Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers are assembling hardware, gathering tools and preparing spacesuits for a 6.5-hour May 1 spacewalk to install a new solar array and relocate an antenna; Jonny Kim and Takuya Onishi are training for arrival of a Dragon cargo craft Apr 22.

☆ Apr 21 — Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou 19 Taikonaut trio, expecting Shenzhou 20 three-member crew via launch April 24 (China National Space Day), are recording video greetings for visitors to the China Pavilion at the upcoming Expo 2025 world fair in Osaka, Japan and watching turbellarians (flatworms) divided in half regenerate a full body on each half; in good physical and mental condition, Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze are anticipating completion of their ~170-day Shenzhou 19 mission around May 1.

★ Apr 21 — SpaceX, Launch Falcon 9 / Bandwagon 3 (Dedicated Mid-Inclination Rideshare), SLC 40, Cape Canaveral SFS FL: Dozens of micro and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers; launch window open 20:48-21:23 EDT.

o Apr 21-24 — African Space Agency, Egyptian Space Agency, Space in Africa, Cairo, Egypt: 4th NewSpace Africa Conference; emphasizing policy development and business prospects; African Union Commission will officially inaugurate the African Space Agency (AfSA); €250-800, at Egypt Space City.

☆ Apr 21 — Lyrids Meteor Shower Peak: Lyrids, derived from Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher with period 415 years, are medium-swift (49 km/sec), often bright with persistent trains and can offer 15-20 per hour; best viewing in the pre-dawn hours.

☆ Apr 21 — Mercury: At westernmost elongation, 09:00.

☆ Apr 21 — Apollo Asteroid 2025 DY29: Near-Earth Flyby (0.080 AU)

African Space Agency to Be Inaugurated at 4th NewSpace Africa Conference in Cairo, Egypt

The 4th NewSpace Africa Conference is being held in Cairo, Egypt on April 21-24 with theme Empowering Africa’s Economy through Space-driven Innovation and hosted by the African Space Agency (AfSA), Egyptian Space Agency, and Space in Africa. AfSA, although officially formed and ‘inaugurated’ in 2023, will again be inaugurated during the conference by the African Union (AU). There will be 65 countries represented by 500+ delegates, 50 speakers, 40 exhibitors and 35 sponsors involving space agencies, commercial companies, academia and government. Opening the Conference will be Sherif Sedky (Egyptian Space Agency CEO), Tidiane Ouattara (African Space Agency President), and Temidayo Oniosun (Space in Africa Managing Director). ‘The Future and Perspectives of the African Outer Space Programme’ Keynote is by International Space University Chancellor Valanathan Munsami. ‘Space for All: Advancing Africa’s Influence in International Space Governance’ session describes “Africa’s evolving position within the rapidly expanding global space economy, projected to reach USD 1 trillion in the coming decade.” There are 54 United Nations recognized countries in Africa–18 of them have national space agencies. Egypt, South Africa and Senegal are part of the International Lunar Research Station, while Angola, Nigeria, and Rwanda signed the Artemis Accords. Space Exploration and Research Agency, a USA company, facilitated an agreement to send the first Nigerian citizen to space aboard a future Blue Origin New Shepard flight. (Image credits: Space in Africa, et al)

 TUESDAY

☆ Apr 22 — CASC, Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology, Launch Long March 8 / G60 Group, Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, Hainan, China: LEO satellites for planned constellation of 12,000; launch window open 05:50-07:02 HST

● Apr 22 — Northrop Grumman, Online / Falls Church VA: Q1 2025 financial results posted prior to market opening; conference call 09:30 EDT, replays available for a limited time.

● Apr 22 — EarthLight Foundation, Online / Austin TX: EarthSpace 2025: What if space is the key to saving Earth?; webinar with co-host Rick Tumlinson, 11:00-12:30 CDT.

o Apr 22-23 — Lunar Exploration and Aerospace Engineering Center of CNSA, Shanghai, China: 2nd Forum on Lunar Sample Research Results; Researchers from China report on lunar samples collected by Chang’E-5 and Chang’E-6 missions.

☆ Apr 22 — Apollo Asteroid 2025 GD1: Near-Earth Flyby (0.010 AU)

WEDNESDAY

☆ Apr 23 — CNSA, CASC, Launch Long March 2 / Shenzhou 20, Launch Area 4 (SLS-1 / 921) Jiuquan Space Launch Center, China: Three crew members of Shenzhou 20 to launch to Tiangong Space Station for 6-month mission; launch window 23:17-23:47 HST.

● Apr 23 — NASA, CASA Moon SSERVI, et al, Online / Albuquerque NM: Planetary Sample Science Seminar, Ananya Mallik, University of Arizona, presents Insight into lunar differentiation from secondary crust formation on the Moon; 11:00 MDT.