☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: This week Expedition 74 seven-members training for and planning to dock Cygnus XL supply mission, delivering the latest microgravity quantum physics research gear, stem-cell-therapy tests and food, water and other supplies; filling and flushing spacesuit water systems that regulate Astronaut body temperature on spacewalks; testing new ways to quickly download large amounts of data; conducting an emergency drill to practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other medical responses.

☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew are cleaning and maintaining spacesuits after spacewalk that continued installation of space debris protection; are collecting samples for vestibular dynamics project involving the inner ear mechanism responsible for balance, spatial orientation, and coordinating eye movements with head motion; carried out a system-wide-pressure-emergency drill, coordinating with ground control; tested cabin air for cleanliness including level of volatile organic compounds. 

◐ Lunar Enterprise News: Scientists are looking forward to working with Artemis 2 crew for observations of the Moon with human eyes during closest lunar approach, for near-real-time, nuanced value which is complementary to sharper images available from orbiters. The Astronauts may see an eclipse of the Sun by the Moon. They will wear radiation, sleep and movement monitors. There is also an “organs on a chip” experiment using cells from the four astronauts to study effects of radiation and microgravity.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Apr 6: Apollo Asteroid 2021 GN6 (0.014 AU); Tue Apr 7: Apollo Asteroid 2011 FT9 (0.008 AU); Tue Apr 7: Apollo Asteroid 2024 TB7 (0.012 AU); Sat Apr 11: Apollo Asteroid 2026 FE7 (0.022 AU

☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven-member crew continue to unload ~6,000 kg of food, fuel and other supplies from Progress 94 Roscosmos craft, while continuing health research, biology experiments and cleaning; biological samples were prepared and stowed at -80°C, drinking water was assessed for microbial growth. Astronauts are exercising 2 hours daily, whether on treadmill, bicycle or a resistive device to simulate weight-lifting. Roscosmos Cosmonauts disassembled the docking mechanism in the Poisk module, did general maintenance and data transfers.

☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew harvested a bountiful crop of cherry tomatoes after supporting growth of the plants for many weeks. They cleaned experiment chambers and filled them with new samples, and maintained motors of a sample handling mechanism and cleaned its windows. Crew also replaced the burner and a cover inside a combustion-science device, and put more experimental samples into a fluid-physics cabinet. Upcoming cultivation experiments are planned for wheat, carrots and a plant in the mustard / Brassica family.

◐ Lunar Enterprise News:  NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman spoke to representatives of ~35 countries, announcing ~US$20B investment to build a Moon base by 2033, Artemis 3 lunar lander(s) in orbit by 2027, and Artemis 4 human Moon landing in 2028. Gateway is paused; 3 phases for Moon base: 1) support industry via CLPS rovers, instruments and technology, for mobility, power, communications, navigation, surface ops, science; 2) semi-habitable infrastructure / Astronaut ops on surface such as with JAXA pressurized rover; 3) affordable and sustained permanence such as with Italy’s habitation module.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Mar 30: Apollo Asteroid 2026 FN1 (0.021 AU); Tue Mar 31: Aten Asteroid 2026 FJ (0.019 AU); Fri Apr 3: Aten Asteroid 2019 FQ1 (0.024 AU); Sat Apr 4: Apollo Asteroid 2023 DZ2 (0.006 AU)

☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven-member crew planning to greet Progress cargo craft after Progress MS-31 undocked from the Poisk zenith port and repair of the Kazakhstan pad allowed Progress MS-33 to launch; looking toward 2nd spacewalk this year to complete preparation for a new, more-powerful solar array after the 1st 2026 spacewalk began that preparation, with Jessica Meir and Chris Williams on EVA and interior monitoring by Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot.

☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew completed 2nd spacewalk for their mission with Zhang Lu and Wu Fei in space for ~7 hours, assisted by Zhang Hongzhang inside the station, a team on Earth, and the station’s robotic arm; the EVA involved installing a debris protection device; the crew are also maintaining station equipment and its environment while managing their health with exercise and monitoring.

◐ Lunar Enterprise News: NASA’s SLS rocket with Orion spacecraft rolled out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center (delayed by winds), after fixing a helium flow issue on the upper stage. The four-person crew (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen) is in quarantine. Launch is targeted no earlier than April 1 for a 10-day crewed lunar flyby—the first humans around the Moon in over 50 years.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Mar 23: Amor Asteroid 2023 CE1 (0.086 AU); Tue Mar 24: Aten Asteroid 2022 FY (0.025 AU); Wed Mar 25: Apollo Asteroid 2026 EP3 (0.021 AU); Sun Mar 25: Aten Asteroid 2010 GD35 (0.081 AU)

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew preparing for US Spacewalk #94 on Wednesday by cleaning spacesuit cooling loops, configuring suits / various tools to install modification kit and route cables for a new solar array, and training on the Canadarm2 to support the spacewalkers. The seven-member crew are also performing vein scans, documenting sleep patterns, collecting saliva, taking cognition tests, using sensors to analyze blood flow, testing artificial intelligence tools that may enhance communications, cleaning / inspecting a ventilation system, servicing the oxygen generator, replacing plumbing components, inspecting video recording gear, downloading video and imagery for mission controllers, and installing automated Earth observation hardware to capture imagery of islands across the Asia-Pacific region.

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew using experimental software on laptops to look at human-machine trust and intuitive physical behavior, testing for metabolic components in urine with spectrometer, monitoring with electroencephalography equipment for research on deep cognition and emotional analysis / regulation, replacing the sampling cover of the combustion science experiment cabinet, evacuating waste gases, and changing experimental samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet; they continue regular inspections of the station, and do medical examinations for blood pressure, body composition and exercise-induced cardiopulmonary function with both modern and TCM diagnostic instruments.

Lunar Enterprise News: NASA targeting NET April 1 for Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission; mid-2027 for a new demonstration mission (Artemis III) to launch crew in Orion on top of the SLS rocket to low Earth orbit and test one or both commercial landers from SpaceX and / or Blue Origin for rendezvous and docking capabilities needed to land Astronauts on the Moon; and the first Artemis lunar landing for early 2028 (Artemis IV). 

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Tue Mar 17: Apollo Asteroid 2015 VO142 (0.006 AU); Tue Mar 17: Apollo Asteroid 2026 DP10 (0.026 AU); Thu Mar 19: Apollo Asteroid 2026 DP15 (0.013 AU); Sun Mar 22: Apollo Asteroid 2010 RA91 (0.012 AU)

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew are observing robotic operations of the Canadarm2 and its uninstallation of the HTV-X1 cargo craft, as HTV-X1 begins 3 months in nearby but independent orbit while JAXA conducts testing and deploys CubeSats. Cosmonauts are measuring blood pressure, working with video recording gear for Earth observation, conducting a digestion study, streaming atoms and molecules at semiconductor materials in physics experiments, and photographing Patagonia near Antarctica. NASA Astronauts are preparing for 2 of them to conduct a spacewalk to reconfigure a solar array.

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew are wondering which Taikonaut will be the 1st to have a year-long stay in the station, among potential candidates: Liu Yang (刘洋) of Shenzhou-9 and Shenzhou-14, Wang Yaping (王亚平) of Shenzhou-10 and Shenzhou-13, Tang Hongbo (汤洪波) of Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-17, Ye Guangfu (叶光富) of Shenzhou-13 and Shenzhou-18, and Cai Xuzhe (蔡旭哲) of Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-19. Another anticipated development will be an uncrewed demonstration mission to Tiangong of the Mengzhou capsule designed to carry 6 crew to orbit or 3 crew to the Moon.

Lunar Enterprise News: Chinese Academy of Sciences members are modeling precise, likely locations of water ice at Shackleton Crater near Moon South Pole, the landing area selected for a Nov-Dec touchdown for Chang’E-7 craft, which is planned to operate for 8 years with a hopping rover using an instrument to drill, collect ~1 gram of regolith and heat samples to 200°C and observe with spectrometers. The Planetary Science Journal has published their paper on this process and describes their use of data from NASA LRO and ISRO Chandrayaan-1 orbiters.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Mar 9: Apollo Asteroid 2026 DH11 (0.008 AU); Wed Mar 11: Aten Asteroid 2026 CC3 (0.010 AU); Wed Mar 11: Apollo Asteroid 2023 ET2 (0.020 AU); Sun Mar 15: Aten Asteroid 2007 EG (0.011 AU)

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew continue science research in the orbiting laboratory, much of it concerned with the human body’s reaction to weightlessness. Roscosmos Cosmonauts Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev wore VR goggles to test sense of balance / orientation; Astronauts Adenot of ESA and Hathaway of NASA continue to familiarize themselves with living and working in the ISS, including use of exercise gear and safety equipment, and medical procedures such as processing blood samples and doing ultrasound scans. NASA and ESA astronauts precisely positioned 4 cameras to record exercise sessions, enabling muscle and bone analysis. Cosmonaut Fedyaev set up a physics experiment using molecular beams to measure semiconductor growth and installed Earth observation gear that uses a variety of wavelengths. NASA Astronauts Williams and Meir along with Adenot used UV light and measured its inhibition of microbial growth within the station. All 7 continue ongoing housekeeping, including trash collection, vacuuming up dust and wiping down surfaces with disinfectant, and monitoring the Elektron oxygen generator for proper operation.

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew uses an aeroponic cultivation system that vaporizes water into a fine mist, significantly improving the efficiency of water usage, and has an LED light array enhancing energy usage, allowing them to grow tomatoes as China Spring Festival travel season continues through March 13. Future plans for the Tiangong Space Garden include trial plantings of wheat, carrots and medicinal plants. An unexpected but welcome side-effect of the Space Garden is a psychological boost. Taikonaut Zhang Lu said, “To see such a vibrant splash of green in the vastness of space is incredibly healing.”

Lunar Enterprise News: Data scientist Chandra Tungathurthi of India now produces Digital Elevation Modeling (DEM) images of the Moon surface at 30 cm resolution, using data from the camera on the Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter (highest-resolution of any at the Moon) and combining it with open-source software from NASA and US Geological Survey to produce DEM images of landing sites of Chandrayaan-3 (Shiv Shakti), IM-2 Athena and Japan’s SLIM. DEM produces slope maps and identifies safe landing zones, among other benefits.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Mar 2: Aten Asteroid 2011 EH17 (0.040 AU); Tue Mar 3: Apollo Asteroid 2026 CD1 (0.016 AU); Tue Mar 3: Apollo Asteroid 2026 CX4 (0.019 AU); Fri Mar 6: Aten Asteroid 2021 ER (0.016 AU)

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 now has the full complement of 7 members after arrival of Dragon Crew-12. Onboard are NASA’s Chris Williams, Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, Roscosmos’ Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (current Station Commander), Sergei Mikaev and Andrey Fedyaev, and ESA’s Sophie Adenot of France. The crew continues to unpack cargo from Dragon capsule. Specific tasks include: wearing acoustic sensors to record respiration in microgravity; scanning veins with ultrasound; doing medical training and an emergency drill; practicing with emergency respirators; monitoring nighttime photography of Earth in near-ultraviolet wavelengths; readying a body temperature study; working with computer hardware to support medicine-manufacturing research; exploring the use of AI tools to boost crew efficiency.

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew of 3, Taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, continue celebrating Spring Festival following Chinese New Year, enjoying traditional foods such as dumplings, char siu pork, tea and apples, along with freshly baked cake from an air fryer. They have entertained themselves, their families and the public with elaborate decorations around the station, calligraphy, poetry, chants, harmonica, karaoke and flying stuffed animals. They each have 2 scheduled rest days during the festival. Naturally, they continue various science experiments, station maintenance, physical electronic monitoring, and vital exercise routines with treadmill, bicycle and resistance equipment.

Lunar Enterprise News: Artemis 2 Launch Director Judith Charlene “Charlie” Blackwell-Thompson reports that its 4 Astronauts now re-enter soft quarantine ahead of planned March 6 launch after 2nd Wet Dress Rehearsal completes successfully, headed to Flight Readiness Review Process.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Tue Feb 24: Apollo Asteroid 2018 RB1 (0.021 AU); Tue Feb 24: Aten Asteroid 2022 EZ6 (0.029 AU); Thu Feb 26: Apollo Asteroid 2026 CU1 (0.008 AU); Sat Feb 28: Apollo Asteroid 2007 DG8 (0.025 AU)

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 three members were finally joined by Crew-12 four to reach full complement of 7 aboard; NASA Astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, along with ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev arrived February 14 for their ~8-month stay, joining Chris Williams of NASA and Cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev; entire crew conducting radiation monitoring with EveryWear system, loading trash / obsolete gear in JAXA HTV-X1 craft set to leave next month, testing surfaces for mold / mildew to maintain safety, taking memory tests, collecting hair samples for analysis, studying protein crystals and continuing research on crew psychology / communications.

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew of 3, Zhang Lu (张陆), Wu Fei (武飞), and Zhang Hongzhang (张洪章), in 2nd half of their 6-month mission, continue research on bone metabolism regulation, space omics meaning study of DNA / RNA / proteins / metabolites, visual asymmetry in microgravity and its underlying cognitive neural mechanisms; maintain station equipment including science cabinet / modules / sample chamber and air cleaners; use devices to deliver force stimulation to lower limb muscles; examine intraocular pressure and fundus of the eye; assess cardiac / muscle function. 

Lunar Enterprise News: SpaceX has put off Mars mission for “about 5 to 7 years,” shifting its focus to going to the Moon first, aiming to build a city there “in less than 10 years, whereas Mars would take 20+ years”; travel time of 2 days vs 6 months was mentioned as a factor in the decision.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Feb 16: Atira Asteroid 2026 BX4 (0.019 AU); Wed Feb 18: Apollo Asteroid 2026 CU (0.013 AU); Fri Feb 20: Apollo Asteroid 2026 CO (0.011 AU); Sat Feb 21: Apollo Asteroid 2023 CM2 (0.010 AU); Sat Feb 21: Aten Asteroid 2025 DQ (0.007 AU)

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 crew of 3—Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev—conducting final preparations for SpaceX Crew-12 docking NET February 11, including review of approach-monitoring tool and rendezvous procedure; performing routine science-hardware maintenance; collecting biomedical data; packing cargo to be stowed on  Dragon; executing exercise protocols; verifying life-support systems; imaging Earth.

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 crew—Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, Zhang Hongzhang—conducting lower-limb muscle-force stimulation tests with bionic adhesive shoes to assess microgravity effects; performing medical examinations, including dynamic electrocardiogram, blood pressure monitoring, ultrasound scans, bone density measurements and hearing assessments; advancing pharmacokinetics studies on drug metabolism in orbit; maintaining cabin environment via wind speed, temperature and noise monitoring; continuing routine exercise, system inspections and experiment operations after over three months in orbit with all crew in stable health.

Lunar Enterprise News: Blue Origin pauses space tourism to concentrate on Moon missions, redirecting resources toward human lunar capabilities for at least the next 2 years to assist USA goals of establishing a sustained lunar presence.

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Feb 9: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BY1 (0.025 AU); Thu Feb 12: Apollo Asteroid 2022 DV (0.039 AU); Sat Feb 14: Aten Asteroid 1999 AO10 (0.026 AU); Sat Feb 14: Apollo Asteroid 162882 (2001 FD58) (0.043 AU)  

International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 operating with crew of 3 working in Kibo laboratory module for deployment / release of 6 CubeSats to LEO this week; continuing Earth photography with optical and multi-spectral cameras; planning for arrival of Crew-12 next week; ongoing maintenance includes servicing orbital plumbing hardware and testing communication systems inside Zvezda, cleaning and inspecting ventilation systems. 

Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew advancing a range of in-orbit activities this week including comprehensive emergency response drills and operational proficiency training to maintain crew readiness; inspections and system checks across the Tianhe core module and attached labs; overseeing preparations and monitoring for upcoming cargo and rotation missions while all crew members remain in good health after nearly 4 months in orbit.

Lunar Enterprise News: Artemis 2 Wet Dress Rehearsal Next, NET 2 February │ Artemis 2 Communications Enhanced by Volunteers Worldwide

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon Feb 2: Aten Asteroid 2025 CD (0.057 AU); Wed Feb 4: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BY2 (0.025 AU); Thu Feb 5: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BM (0.0126 AU); Fri Feb 6: Apollo Asteroid 2026 BK4 (0.051 AU)