Friends of NASA (FoN) is an independent non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to building international support for peaceful space exploration, commerce, scientific discovery, and STEM education.
Twisted Spiral Galaxy NGC 3718 in Ursa Major | Mayall Telescope
This image was obtained with the wide-field view of the Mosaic camera on the Mayall 4-meter telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. NGC 3718 is the twisted spiral galaxy in the upper-right corner of the image. Its distinctive shape is likely the result of gravitational interactions with the smaller spiral galaxy, NGC 3729, to the left. Below and to the right of NGC 3718 is the Hickson Compact Group 56. It consists of five interacting galaxies. These galaxies are not smaller. Instead, they are about eight times further away than NGC 3718 and NGC 3729.
The image was generated with observations in the U (violet), B (blue), V (green), I (orange) and Hydrogen-Alpha (red) filters. This image is rotated 35 degrees counterclockwise from North is up, East is left.
Credit: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage) and H. Schweiker (WIYN and NOIRLab/NSF/AURA)
BBC Star Diary: A Supermoon Eclipse (September 16-22, 2024)
A partial lunar eclipse will cross the face of the Supermoon this week. Find out when you can see the sight for yourself, as well as all the latest stargazing highlights, in this week’s Star Diary podcast, from the makers of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner
NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit
An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.
Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center/M. Dominick
Shenzhou-18 Crew Update: Research, Maintenance & Training | China Space Station
The Shenzhou-18 crew members on board China's orbiting Tiangong space station have been performing a variety of tasks, including scientific experiments as well as regular maintenance and training, as showed in videos released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
The crew conducted research on the impact of long-duration manned space missions on astronauts' operational performance in the Tiangong space station. The projects selected were based on the characteristics of long-duration in-orbit space station missions, alongside other tasks, for instance in-orbit training and experiments.
After completing each project, each astronaut filled out reports detailing the operation time and scales to record their fatigue levels and to assess their workload. Subsequently, researchers on the ground collected and analyzed the astronauts' in-orbit operational performance data to preliminarily grasp the characteristics and patterns of changes in astronauts' operational skills during space missions.
Of course, the China space station is a national space laboratory. Experiments in areas, such as space materials science, fluid dynamics in microgravity, and combustion science, are being carried out. The crew has regularly replaced experiment samples as part of these experiments.
Meanwhile, in close coordination with researchers on the ground, the three astronauts successfully completed the return of external payloads using the automatic payload ingress and egress function.
Additionally, the crew conducted personal noise exposure measurements and acoustic testing to assess and improve the acoustic environment within the space station.
Tasks related to equipment inspection and maintenance, including the transfer of a pre-cooling device for biological experiment samples, have been carried out in the space station as well.
The pre-cooling device, resembling a small refrigeration unit, ensures that the samples remain "fresh" throughout the return journey to Earth.
The astronauts also routinely conducted system-wide pressure emergency drills to strengthen and further enhance their emergency response capabilities and their ability to coordinate between space and ground.
One of the drills simulated the process of three astronauts responding to an internal depressurization scenario within the space station.
Last week, the crew conducted in-orbit medical aid training. This included further familiarizing themselves with equipment locations, reviewing usage methods, and reinforcing operational procedures and skills, helping them become accustomed to rescue operations in a microgravity environment.
In terms of health maintenance, the three astronauts have performed activities involving eye pressure and fundus examinations, as well as neuromuscular stimulation, to monitor and maintain their physical condition.
Furthermore, the crew frequently completed other crucial tasks, like cleaning, arranging supplies, plus garbage transfer and storage to maintain a clean environment inside the space station.
On April 25, 2024, China launched the Shenzhou-18 crewed spacecraft, carrying three astronauts—Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu—to the space station for a six-month mission.
After nearly five days on orbit, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down at 3:36 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.
Polaris Dawn Crew
Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker
Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot
Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker
Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have tested Starlink-laser based communications and conducted a wide range of research in microgravity involving ~36 studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions related to human health.
The Polaris Dawn Mission is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew higher than any mission to date since the Apollo program, reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn is conducting research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health, while testing laser-based communications.
"Completing the first commercial extravehicular activity in low-Earth orbit is an important first step towards a future where millions of humans are visiting, working, and living on the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in our solar system."
This has been the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This has also been the first time two SpaceX employees have been part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.
Polaris Dawn Crew Splashdown Off Florida Coast | SpaceX
Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker
Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot
Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker
From left to right: Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer, Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot, Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander, Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist
Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft reentry
Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft - main parachutes deployed before splashdown
Polaris Dawn Mission Patch
After nearly five days on orbit, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down at 3:36 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.
Polaris Dawn Crew
Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker
Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot
Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker
Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have tested Starlink-laser based communications and conducted a wide range of research in microgravity involving ~36 studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions related to human health.
The Polaris Dawn Mission is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew higher than any mission to date since the Apollo program, reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn is conducting research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health, while testing laser-based communications.
"Completing the first commercial extravehicular activity in low-Earth orbit is an important first step towards a future where millions of humans are visiting, working, and living on the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in our solar system."
This has been the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This has also been the first time two SpaceX employees have been part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.
Polaris Dawn Crew Arrival Off Florida Coast | SpaceX
Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker
Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot
Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker
Polaris Dawn Crew Dragon spacecraft
After nearly five days on orbit, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Polaris Dawn crew safely splashed down at 3:36 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 15, 2024, off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida, completing the first human spaceflight mission of the Polaris Program.
Polaris Dawn Crew
Jared Isaacman - Mission Commander & Spacewalker
Scott Poteet - Mission Pilot
Sarah Gillis - Mission Specialist & Spacewalker
Anna Menon - Mission Specialist & Medical Officer
Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have tested Starlink-laser based communications and conducted a wide range of research in microgravity involving ~36 studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions related to human health.
The Polaris Dawn Mission is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew higher than any mission to date since the Apollo program, reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn is conducting research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health, while testing laser-based communications.
"Completing the first commercial extravehicular activity in low-Earth orbit is an important first step towards a future where millions of humans are visiting, working, and living on the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in our solar system."
This has been the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This has also been the first time two SpaceX employees have been part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.
Polaris Dawn Mission Prepares for Return to Earth | SpaceX
After launching to orbit on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, SpaceX Dragon and the Polaris Dawn astronauts are set to return to Earth and splash down off the coast of Dry Tortugas, Florida on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 3:36 a.m. ET to end their five-day mission.
Polaris Dawn has completed the first commercial spacewalks from Crew Dragon. The crew have tested Starlink-laser based communications and conducted a wide range of research in microgravity involving ~36 studies and experiments from 31 partner institutions related to human health.
The Polaris Dawn Mission is flying a specially-modified SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that flew higher than any mission to date since the Apollo program, reaching the highest Earth orbit ever flown at approximately 700 kilometers above the Earth. Orbiting through portions of the Van Allen radiation belt, Polaris Dawn is conducting research with the aim of better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health, while testing laser-based communications.
"Completing the first commercial extravehicular activity in low-Earth orbit is an important first step towards a future where millions of humans are visiting, working, and living on the Moon, Mars, and other destinations in our solar system."
This has been the first human spaceflight for Mission Pilot Kidd Poteet, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, and Mission Specialist and Medical Officer Anna Menon. Mission Commander Jared Isaacman previously flew to space as commander of Inspiration4. This has also been the first time two SpaceX employees have been part of a human spaceflight crew, providing valuable insight to future missions on the road to making life multiplanetary.
China Plans Exploration of Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Wider Solar System: Chief Designer
China's vision for deep space exploration begins with the Moon and will move to Mars, Jupiter and the wider solar system, according to Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Project (CLEP) and director of China's Deep Space Exploration Laboratory. He introduced the long-term vision for the country's space program in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).
"We define the exploration of the Moon and celestial bodies and space beyond it as deep space exploration. The Moon is the starting point. The next focus is on the Moon. Chang'e-7 will land on the south pole of the Moon and search for water. Chang'e-8 will land at the south pole of the Moon and will join Chang'e-7 to form the basic structure of the south pole station on the Moon," said the chief designer.
Wu said China also plans to build the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)—a larger scale project and longer-term ambition.
"Then we want to build a navigation, communication, and remote sensing constellation centered on the Moon, which we are now studying," said Wu.
"Our next step is a crewed lunar landing. China aims to achieve this around 2030. You see, the symbol of our lunar exploration project is a person's footprint," said the chief designer.
"Deep space exploration also includes collecting and returning asteroid samples, and collecting samples from large celestial bodies, such as Mars, and the exploration of the Jupiter system. Jupiter is the largest celestial body in the solar system except the Sun, and is equivalent to the size of 1,300 Earths. Jupiter and its satellites are a big system," he said.
Wu said missions in the future will be able to send 50 tons of payload per launch to the Moon.
"To realize this deep space exploration, we need rockets and launch vehicles with greater thrust. So we came up with this concept of deep space exploration. The Deep Space Exploration Laboratory is responsible for the launch vehicle with greater thrust, to study the rocket with greatest thrust in the country. Now we can send eight tons of payload to the Moon. In the future, we'll be able to send 50 tons of payload to the Moon per launch," said Wu.
Learn more about China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) plans:
Expedition 72 Crew Launch on Russian Soyuz Rocket | International Space Station
The Soyuz rocket launches to the International Space Station with Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.
Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner
NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit
An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.
Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 3 | International Space Station
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, meet with NASA and Roscosmos managers prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, depart building 254 for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, meet with NASA and Roscosmos managers prior to boarding the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Expedition 72 crew members: Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner (Russia), top, NASA astronaut Don Pettit, middle, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin (Russia), board the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft for launch, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked
Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia, left, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, are seen talking with Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, as they prepare to have their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, center, and Ivan Vagner, talk to mission management and family ahead of their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.
Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner
NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit
An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.
Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 2 | International Space Station
NASA astronaut Don Pettit waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked as he and fellow crew mates, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner is helped into his Russian Sokol suit
Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin is helped into his Russian Sokol suit
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia, left, and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, are seen as they prepare to have their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, center, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, talk to NASA and Roscosmos mission management and family ahead of their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.
Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner
NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit
An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.
Expedition 72 Crew in Kazakhstan Prelaunch: Part 1 | International Space Station
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, wave as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Expedition 72 crew members: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, left, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, right, receive the traditional blessing at the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing for suit-up and launch on a Soyuz rocket, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit receives the traditional blessing
Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin of Russia receives the traditional blessing
Roscosmos cosmonaut Ivan Vagner of Russia receives the traditional blessing
NASA astronaut Don Pettit puts his hand up to the bus window and his family reaches back to him, as he and fellow crew mates, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, and Ivan Vagner of Russia, depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia successfully launched aboard their Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sept. 11, 2024. A little over three hours later, the trio docked to the Rassvet module of the International Space Station for the start of a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory as members of the Expedition 71 and 72 crews.
Roscosmos (Russia): Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner
NASA: Tracy Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Mike Barrett, Jeanette Epps, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Don Pettit
An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. The ISS has been the most politically complex space exploration program ever undertaken.
.jpg)
V1.jpg)
V2.jpg)
V3.jpg)
V4.jpg)
V5.jpg)
V6.jpg)
V7.jpg)
V8.jpg)
