Friends of NASA

Sunday, May 24, 2026

SpaceX Starship Version 3 Liftoff: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

SpaceX Starship Version 3 Liftoff: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

The 12th flight test of SpaceX's Starship lifted off Friday, May 22, 2026, from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Learn about the flight test results and watch a replay of the launch webcast here:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

This was the first flight of the "next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, powered by the next evolution of the Raptor engine."

Read more about the key upgrades designed to enhance performance and unlock Starship's full capabilities here: https://www.spacex.com/updates/starship-v3

NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship to deliver astronauts and cargo to the Moon during the Artemis IV mission and beyond through the Human Landing System (HLS) Program.

Learn more about Starship:

https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Duration: 28 seconds

Date: May 22, 2026

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #Mars #Moon #MoonToMars #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #ArtemisIV #Starship #StarshipV3 #StarshipFlight12 #ReusableSpacecraft #SuperHeavy #SuperHeavyV3 #ElonMusk #Engineering #SpaceTechnology #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #StarbaseTexas #Texas #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Shenzhou-23 Crewed Spacecraft Launch | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 Crewed Spacecraft Launch | China Space Station

China's Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country's northwest on May 24, 2026, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station.

The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, lifted off from the launch site at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).

The crew members consist of mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, and fellow astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In another notable first, one of the crew members is set to undertake a year-long stay aboard the space station, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.

After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft will perform a fast automated rendezvous and docking with the radial port of the space station core module Tianhe, forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft.

Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Video Credit: CCTV

Duration: 1 minute

Release Date: May 24, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #JSLC #LongMarch2FRocket #Shenzhou23Mission #神舟二十三号 #Shenzhou23 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #ZhuYangzhu #ZhangZhiyuan #LaiKaying #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #MicrogravityExperiments #SpaceLaboratory #CNSA #国家航天局 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Board Spacecraft Pre-launch | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Board Spacecraft Pre-launch | China Space Station

The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission can be seen boarding their spacecraft for a flight to China’s Tiangong Space Station.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT) from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) on May 24, 2026.

The three Chinese astronauts, commander Zhu Yangzhu, spacecraft pilot Zhang Zhiyuan and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, climbed aboard the spacecraft with the help of technicians.

Following the launch, the astronauts will complete an in-orbit rotation with the outgoing Shenzhou-21 crew, and one of them will conduct a one-year in-orbit stay, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.

Notably, astronaut Lai Ka-ying is also the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program, and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 3 minutes, 29 seconds
Date: May 24, 2026

Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Arrive at Launch Site | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Arrive at Launch Site | China Space Station

The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission arrived at the launch site at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China after a send-off ceremony on Sunday, March 24, 2026, ready to board their spacecraft for a flight to the Tiangong Space Station.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).

The three crew members—commander Zhu Yangzhu, spacecraft pilot Zhang Zhiyuan and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying—were escorted by a squad of motorcycles to the launch site and warmly greeted by crowds of people on both sides along the route.

They will take over command of China's Tiangong Space Station from the Shenzhou-21 crew currently in orbit, and one of them will conduct a one-year in-orbit stay, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.

Notably, astronaut Lai Ka-ying is also the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 3 minutes
Date: May 24, 2026

Send-off Ceremony for Shenzhou-23 Astronauts | China Space Station

Send-off Ceremony for Shenzhou-23 Astronauts | China Space Station

China held a send-off ceremony for the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 crewed space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying will carry out the mission, with Zhu as the commander. Their launch is scheduled for 23:08 Beijing Time on Sunday. One of the Shenzhou 23 crew is expected to work and live in China's Tiangong Space Station for a year.

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Video Credit: CGTN
Duration: 4 minutes
Date: May 24, 2026

SpaceX Starship Version 3 Landing & Launch Views: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

SpaceX Starship Version 3 Landing & Launch Views: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

Starship Version 3 landing burn over the Indian Ocean

Starship Version 3 landing burn over the Indian Ocean

Onboard camera view from Super Heavy Booster Version 3

Onboard camera view from Starship Version 3

Onboard camera view from Starship Version 3
Onboard camera view from Starship Version 3

Drone camera views of Starship V3's landing burn over the Indian Ocean (images 1-4). Plus, onboard camera views from Starship and Super Heavy V3 (images 4-8), equipped with upgraded cameras capable of streaming 4K video through each flight phase via Starlink.

The 12th flight test of SpaceX's Starship lifted off Friday, May 22, 2026, from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Learn about the flight test results and watch a replay of the launch webcast here:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

This was the first flight of the "next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, powered by the next evolution of the Raptor engine."

Read more about the key upgrades designed to enhance performance and unlock Starship's full capabilities here: https://www.spacex.com/updates/starship-v3

NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship to deliver astronauts and cargo to the Moon during the Artemis IV mission and beyond through the Human Landing System (HLS) Program.

Learn more about Starship:

https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Date: May 22, 2026

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Shenzhou-23 Mission Crew Photos | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 Mission Crew Photos | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 astronauts Lai Ka-ying, Zhu Yangzhu, and Zhang Zhiyuan

Shenzhou-23 astronaut and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying

Shenzhou-23 astronaut, commander & flight engineer Zhu Yangzhu

Shenzhou-23 astronaut and pilot Zhang Zhiyuan

Shenzhou-23 astronaut and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying

Shenzhou-23 astronaut and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, along with Shenzhou-23 astronaut, commander & flight engineer Zhu Yangzhu while in training

Shenzhou-23 Mission emblem

Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, for the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, were introduced to the public on May 23, 2026. Zhu will be the commander and flight engineer, Zhang will be the spacecraft pilot, and Lai the payload specialist.

Zhu previously participated in the Shenzhou-16 space mission. Zhang and Lai come from the third and fourth batches of astronauts respectively, and will embark on their first spaceflight mission. Before being selected, Zhang was an air force pilot, and Lai worked in the Hong Kong Police Force.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft is scheduled for launch at 23:08 Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced at a press conference earlier on Saturday.

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Image Credit: CMSA
Release Date: May 23, 2026

NASA LEAP Space Technology for Planetary Exploration Missions

NASA LEAP Space Technology for Planetary Exploration Missions

Could a tiny jumping robot unlock the secrets of Saturn’s icy moon, Enceladus?

Meet LEAP, a revolutionary mission concept designed to explore Enceladus like never before. This spring-loaded robot could hop across dangerous terrain, leap through towering ice plumes, and collect samples from the subsurface ocean; no drilling required.

From cliffs and canyons to caves and crevices, LEAP could help scientists examine places we have never explored before and push robotics-driven exploration farther into the solar system.

NASA 360 takes a look at the NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC) that could help us learn more about Saturn’s icy moon, Enceladus, and take planetary exploration to the next level.

To learn more visit: https://go.nasa.gov/43lQo9d

To watch the in-depth presentation about this topic please visit the 2025 NIAC Symposium Vimeo site: https://vimeo.com/1118792111?fl=pl&fe=sh#t=1h27m27s

To learn more about NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program visit: https://www.nasa.gov/niac

This video represents a research study within the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. The NIAC program fosters visionary and far-reaching aerospace concepts that have the potential to create breakthrough technologies for possible future space missions. However, such early-stage technology developments may never become actual NASA missions.

Video Credit: NASA 360

Duration: 2 minutes

Release Date: May 22, 2026

#NASA #NASA360 #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planets #Saturn #Moons #Enceladus #LEAP #Robotics #NIAC #SpaceTechnology #SpaceEngineering #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #JustinYim #Engineering #UIUC #Illinois #JPL #Caltech #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Introducing China's Shenzhou-23 Mission Astronauts | China Space Station

Introducing China's Shenzhou-23 Mission Astronauts | China Space Station

Shenzhou-23 Crew
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)

Lai Ka-ying 黎家盈, Payload Specialist (first spaceflight) [Hong Kong SAR]

Video Credit: CGTN
Duration: 44 seconds
Release Date: May 23, 2026

Rocket Lab Electron Launch of Japanese Earth Observation Satellite

Rocket Lab Electron Launch of Japanese Earth Observation Satellite

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket successfully launched a Japanese synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula, May 22, 09:33 (UTC), 2026. This is Japan-based commercial constellation operator Synspective's ninth StriX SAR satellite in its growing constellation.

The “Viva La StriX” mission has taken flight, improving the company’s ability to deliver persistent Earth observation capabilities to customers worldwide for urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. Synspective will conduct testing and commissioning to verify the satellite’s observation capabilities before it enters service.

Rocket Lab has been the sole launch provider for Synspective's constellation since 2020 with another 18 missions booked to deliver the rest of their constellation to orbit before 2030.

Rocket Lab:
https://www.rocketlabusa.com

Synspective: https://synspective.com

Video Credit: Rocket Lab

Duration: 22 seconds

Date: April 23, 2025

#NASA #Space #Aerospace #Satellites #Earth #VivaLaStriXMission #Japan #日本 #Synspective #EarthObservation #RemoteSensing #SpaceTechnology #RocketLab #ElectronRockets #RocketLaunches #MahiaPeninsula #NewZealand #CommercialSpace #PeterBeck #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Payload Specialist from Hong Kong Joins Shenzhou-23 Mission | China Space Station

Payload Specialist from Hong Kong Joins Shenzhou-23 Mission | China Space Station

Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), expressed her gratitude and pride for being able to participate in the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission as a payload specialist while meeting the press in the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China on May 23, 2026.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference earlier on Saturday.

"As an ordinary resident of Hong Kong, becoming an astronaut and being selected for this mission is an invaluable opportunity—something I never dared to dream of before. Right now, my heart is filled with gratitude and honor, and I am deeply aware of the glory and great responsibility that come with this role. First and foremost, I sincerely thank the motherland for providing us with this platform to realize our dreams. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong SAR government and the residents of Hong Kong for their full support," said Lai.

"I will give my all to complete every task. I will shoulder the mission of an astronaut, contributing my strength to the development of our motherland and our nation. I will not fall short of Hong Kong residents' expectations, and I shall live up to the great trust placed in me by the motherland," she said.

Lai, along with commander Zhu Yangzhu and astronaut Zhang Zhiyuan, will carry out the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 1 minute
Release Date: May 23, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #JSLC #LongMarch2FRocket #Shenzhou23Mission #神舟二十三号 #Shenzhou23 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #LaiKaying #ZhuYangzhu #ZhangZhiyuan #LongDurationMissions #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #MicrogravityExperiments #SpaceLaboratory #CNSA #国家航天局 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Astronauts of China's Shenzhou-23 Mission Meet Press | China Space Station

Astronauts of China's Shenzhou-23 Mission Meet Press | China Space Station

Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Lai Ka-ying, for the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, met the press on May 23, 2026. Zhu will be the commander and flight engineer, Zhang will be the spacecraft pilot, and Lai the payload specialist.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft is scheduled to be launched at 23:08 Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced at a press conference earlier on Saturday.

Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 54 seconds
Release Date: May 23, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #JSLC #LongMarch2FRocket #Shenzhou23Mission #神舟二十三号 #Shenzhou23 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #ZhuYangzhu #ZhangZhiyuan #LaiKaying #LongDurationMissions #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #MicrogravityExperiments #SpaceLaboratory #CNSA #国家航天局 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

SpaceX Starship Version 3 Launch: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

SpaceX Starship Version 3 Launch: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

The 12th flight test of SpaceX's Starship lifted off Friday, May 22, 2026, from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas, around 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Learn about the flight test results and watch a replay of the launch webcast here:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

This was the first flight of the "next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, powered by the next evolution of the Raptor engine."

Read more about the key upgrades designed to enhance performance and unlock Starship's full capabilities here: https://www.spacex.com/updates/starship-v3

NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship to deliver astronauts and cargo to the Moon during the Artemis IV mission and beyond through the Human Landing System (HLS) Program.

Learn more about Starship:

https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Date: May 22, 2026

Friday, May 22, 2026

A Dangerous Dance: Galaxies Arp 91 & NGC 5954 in Serpens Caput | Hubble

A Dangerous Dance: Galaxies Arp 91 & NGC 5954 in Serpens Caput | Hubble

These two interacting galaxies are so intertwined, they have a collective name—Arp 91. This delicate galactic dance is taking place over 100 million light-years from Earth, and was captured by the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope. The two galaxies making up Arp 91 have their own names. The lower galaxy that looks like a bright spot is known as NGC 5953 and the ovoid galaxy to the upper right is NGC 5954. In reality, these are spiral galaxies, but their shapes appear distinct because their orientation varies with respect to Earth.

Arp 91 provides a particularly vivid example of galactic interaction. NGC 5954 is clearly being tugged towards NGC 5953—it looks like it is extending one spiral arm downwards. It is the immense gravitational attraction of the two galaxies that is causing them to interact. Such gravitational interactions between galaxies are common, and are an important part of galactic evolution. Most astronomers nowadays believe that collisions between spiral galaxies lead to the formation of another type of galaxy, known as elliptical galaxies. These immensely energetic and massive collisions, however, happen on timescales that exceed a human lifetime. They take place over hundreds of millions of years. Thus, we should not expect Arp 91 to change during our lives!

Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, J. Dalcanton
Acknowledgement: J. Schmidt
Release Date: Oct. 4, 2021

#NASA #ESA #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Galaxies #InteractingGalaxies #Arp91 #NGC5953 #SerpensCaputConstellation #Cosmos #Universe #HST #HubbleSpaceTelescope #GSFC #STScI # JudySchmidt #UnitedStates #Europe #STEM #Education

Splashdown in Indian Ocean: SpaceX Starship (Version 3) 12th Flight Test

Splashdown in Indian Ocean: SpaceX Starship (Version 3) 12th Flight Test

Go Starship! Go SpaceX! The 12th flight test of SpaceX's Starship landed in the Indian Ocean today, Friday, May 22, 2026 after launch from Pad 2 at Starbase Texas around 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Learn about today's flight test objectives here:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

Watch the launch replay here:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

Today's flight debuts the next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, powered by the next evolution of the Raptor engine. Read more about the key upgrades designed to enhance performance and unlock Starship's full capabilities here: https://www.spacex.com/updates/starship-v3

NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship for landing astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis IV mission through the Human Landing System (HLS) program.

Learn more about Starship:

https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/

Download the Free Starship User Guide (PDF):

https://www.spacex.com/media/starship_users_guide_v1.pdf

Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Duration: 1 minute, 30 seconds
Release Date: May 22, 2026

#NASA #SpaceX #Space #Earth #Mars #Moon #MoonToMars #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisIII #ArtemisIV #Starship #StarshipV3 #StarshipFlight12 #ReusableSpacecraft #SuperHeavy #SuperHeavyV3 #ElonMusk #Engineering #SpaceTechnology #HumanSpaceflight #CommercialSpace #SpaceExploration #Splashdown #IndianOcean #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Liftoff: SpaceX Starship (Version 3) 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

Liftoff: SpaceX Starship (Version 3) 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas

Go Starship! Go SpaceX! The 12th flight test of SpaceX's Starship lifted off today, Friday, May 22, 2026, from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas around 5:30 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Learn about today's flight test objectives here:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

Watch the live webcast and replay here:
https://www.spacex.com/launches/starship-flight-12

NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship for landing astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis IV mission through the Human Landing System (HLS) program.

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