Monday, April 13, 2026

Orion Spacecraft Recovery Post-landing | NASA Artemis II Moon Mission

Orion Spacecraft Recovery Post-landing | NASA Artemis II Moon Mission

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander of the Artemis II mission points to the NASA logo and American flag on the outside of the Orion spacecraft in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, hugs the Orion spacecraft in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA Orion Vehicle Integration Manager Louis Saucedo, left, inspects the Orion spacecraft with NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander; Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, right, in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA teams begin to work on post-flight processing while transiting back to Naval Base San Diego, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA teams begin to work on post-flight processing while transiting back to Naval Base San Diego, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA teams begin to work on post-flight processing while transiting back to Naval Base San Diego, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA teams begin to work on post-flight processing while transiting back to Naval Base San Diego, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is seen in the well deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA teams begin to work on post-flight processing while transiting back to Naval Base San Diego, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century. 

During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach. 

Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Get ready for NASA's Artemis III Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iii/


Image Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #ESA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #ParachuteLanding #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #PacificOcean #California #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Falcon 9 Close-up: Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch | International Space Station

Falcon 9 Close-up: Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch | International Space Station


At 7:41 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 11, 2026, more than 11,000 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo launched to the International Space Station aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft for the company’s Commercial Resupply Services-24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24. The spacecraft lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams will capture Cygnus XL using the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm at approximately 12:50 p.m. on Monday, April 13. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port and will remain at the station until October. NASA will not provide live coverage of the spacecraft’s installation.

Follow Expedition 74:

Expedition 74 Crew
Station Commander: Sergey-Kud Sverchkov (Russia)
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: 
Andrey Fedyaev, Sergei Mikaev
European Space Agency Flight Engineer: Sophie Adenot
NASA Flight Engineers: Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Chris Williams

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.

Video Credit: SpaceX
Duration: 23 seconds
Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #ISS #Planets #Earth #CygnusXLCargoSpacecraft #CRS24 #NorthropGrumman #Canadarm2 #Astronauts #ChrisWilliams #JackHathaway #UnitedStates #ESA #France #Europe #Cosmonauts #Russia #Roscosmos #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #InternationalCooperation #Expedition74 #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station

Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station




At 7:41 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 11, 2026, more than 11,000 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo launched to the International Space Station aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft for the company’s Commercial Resupply Services-24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24. The spacecraft lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams will capture Cygnus XL using the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm at approximately 12:50 p.m. on Monday, April 13. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port and will remain at the station until October. NASA will not provide live coverage of the spacecraft’s installation.

Follow Expedition 74:

Expedition 74 Crew
Station Commander: Sergey-Kud Sverchkov (Russia)
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: 
Andrey Fedyaev, Sergei Mikaev
European Space Agency Flight Engineer: Sophie Adenot
NASA Flight Engineers: Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Chris Williams

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.

Image Credit: SpaceX
Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #ISS #Planets #Earth #CygnusXLCargoSpacecraft #CRS24 #NorthropGrumman #Canadarm2 #Astronauts #ChrisWilliams #JackHathaway #UnitedStates #ESA #France #Europe #Cosmonauts #Russia #Roscosmos #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #InternationalCooperation #Expedition74 #STEM #Education

Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station

Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station


At 7:41 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 11, 2026, more than 11,000 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo launched to the International Space Station aboard Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL spacecraft for the company’s Commercial Resupply Services-24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24. The spacecraft lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams will capture Cygnus XL using the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm at approximately 12:50 p.m. on Monday, April 13. After capture, the spacecraft will be installed on the Unity module’s Earth-facing port and will remain at the station until October. NASA will not provide live coverage of the spacecraft’s installation.

Follow Expedition 74:

Expedition 74 Crew
Station Commander: Sergey-Kud Sverchkov (Russia)
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: 
Andrey Fedyaev, Sergei Mikaev
European Space Agency Flight Engineer: Sophie Adenot
NASA Flight Engineers: Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Chris Williams

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.

Video Credit: SpaceX
Duration: 27 seconds
Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #ISS #Planets #Earth #CygnusXLCargoSpacecraft #CRS24 #NorthropGrumman #Canadarm2 #Astronauts #ChrisWilliams #JackHathaway #UnitedStates #ESA #France #Europe #Cosmonauts #Russia #Roscosmos #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #InternationalCooperation #Expedition74 #STEM #Education #HD #Video

International Day of Human Space Flight | United Nations

International Day of Human Space Flight | United Nations


65 years ago, history was made when the first human space flight took place. April 12, 1961, was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.

“After flying around the Earth in a satellite ship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, we should preserve and multiply this beauty – not destroy it.”
—Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

The groundbreaking achievement helped pave the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.

Learn more about the International Day of Human Space Flight: 
https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-spaceflight-day

The Beginning of the Space Era for Humanity
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/65/271 of April 7, 2011, declared April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight “to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for [humanity], reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples, as well as ensuring the realization of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.”

The General Assembly expressed its deep conviction of the common interest of humanity in promoting and expanding the exploration and use of outer space, as the province of all human beings, for peaceful purposes and in continuing efforts to extend to all States the benefits derived there from.


Credit: United Nations
Release Date: April 12, 2026

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #History #HumanSpaceflight #YuriGagarin #ЮрийГагарин #Cosmonaut #Pilot #Russia #Россия #SovietUnion #USSR #CCCP #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #CosmonauticsDay #SpaceExploration #International #UnitedNations #UN #UNOOSA #STEM #Education

Earthset Views from Orion Spacecraft | NASA Artemis II Moon Mission

Earthset Views from Orion Spacecraft | NASA Artemis II Moon Mission

Echoing the iconic Earthrise photo captured by the Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968, during the lunar flyby, the Artemis II crew captured a shot of Earthset as they passed behind the Moon’s far side. It is one of many photos taken during the seven-hour lunar flyby by the Artemis II crew on the Orion spacecraft.

Taking a peek at Earth from the Moon's far side
The Earth appears to be peeking out over the horizon of the Moon, but pictured here is actually an Earthset. During an Earthset, the planet appears to sink below the lunar horizon. In this scene, a partially lit crescent Earth drops behind the Moon as seen by crew on the Orion spacecraft. The image also shows the vast canvas of the Moon’s surface with its overlapping craters and basins. 

Hertzsprung Basin in Light and Shadow
As the Artemis II crew flew around the far side of the Moon, they captured key scientific observations, photographs, videos, and records documenting critical observations to help scientists on the ground understand the composition and history of the lunar surface. Near the center of the view lies Hertzsprung basin, an ancient and expansive impact feature described by the Artemis II crew as darker in overall tone compared to surrounding terrain. Crew observations highlight a striking contrast in texture: the interior of Hertzsprung appears unusually smooth, “like a paved road,” while the outer regions transition into rougher, more jagged terrain. Subtle variations in brightness and color across the basin create a patchwork of lighter and darker areas, offering clues to its complex geologic history. Surrounding regions show evidence of ejecta and crater rays, with faint brownish and gray tones radiating across the highlands. Together, these features provide a dynamic view of one of the Moon’s oldest and most intriguing basins.

The Artemis II Mission wrapped up a historic seven-hour lunar flyby on April 6, 2026, marking humanity’s first return to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and capturing images of the lunar far side. During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach. 

The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century.

Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Get ready for NASA's Artemis III Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iii/


Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center
Image Date: April 6, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Earthset #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #SLS #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ChristinaKoch #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAKennedy #KSC #Florida #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

"NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Completed"

"NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Completed"

The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century. 

During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach. 

Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/

Get ready for NASA's Artemis III Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iii/


Video Credit: NASA
Duration: 3 minutes, 32 seconds
Date: April 10, 2026

#NASA #ESA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #InternationalCooperation #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Orion Spacecraft Splashdown: Post-Lunar Flyby Mission

NASA Artemis II Orion Spacecraft Splashdown: Post-Lunar Flyby Mission

NASA's Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, splashes down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10, 2026.
From left to right, Artemis II Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Pilot Victor Glover from NASA, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, and Commander Reid Wiseman from NASA, are extracted from NASA’s Orion spacecraft and loaded onto an inflatable raft, called the front porch, following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10, 2026. 
U.S. Navy divers and Artemis II astronauts aboard an inflatable raft are approached by helicopters and lifted away to the recovery ship after egressing NASA’s Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10, 2026.
U.S. Navy divers and Artemis II astronauts aboard an inflatable raft are approached by helicopters and lifted away to the recovery ship after egressing NASA’s Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10, 2026. 
Parachutes secured to NASA’s Orion spacecraft deploy before splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, on Friday, April 10, 2026, for the Artemis II test flight.
Parachutes secured to NASA’s Orion spacecraft deploy before splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, on Friday, April 10, 2026, for the Artemis II test flight.
NASA's Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, splashes down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10, 2026.
USS John P. Murtha approaches NASA's Orion spacecraft carrying Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, along with Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at 5:07 p.m. PDT, (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century. 

During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach. 

Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center
Date: April 10, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #ParachuteLanding #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #PacificOcean #California #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Artemis II Astronauts Welcomed in Houston | NASA Johnson

Artemis II Astronauts Welcomed in Houston | NASA Johnson

The Artemis II Crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansenare welcomed home to Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by NASA leadership and members of the astronaut corps. Among those greeting them are NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and NASA's Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche.

The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century. 

During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach. 

Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Video Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center
Duration: 4 minutes
Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #EllingtonField #NASAJohnson #JSC #Houston #Texas #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Shenzhou-21 Crew Conducts Space Experiments | China Space Station

Shenzhou-21 Crew Conducts Space Experiments | China Space Station


More than 160 days into their mission aboard China's space station Tiangong, the Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang have conducted various in-orbit experiments, facility maintenance, and health check tasks.

Last week, the crew used a space Raman spectrometer to analyze metabolic components in urine samples. This will aid in refining and improving indicators and criteria for astronauts' metabolite. The astronauts also collected and froze saliva samples to assist underground researchers in studies on gut microbiota and gastrointestinal function.

In line with their experimental plans involving bone metabolism, circadian rhythms and sleep, the crew collected blood samples, processed them using a centrifuge, and stored them for analysis. They also conducted multiple tests on metacognitive monitoring, emergency decision-making assessments, and evaluations of their emotional states using a laptop and related apps.

The team carried out planned experiments in microgravity physical sciences, and replaced samples in the fluid physics experimental cabinet, and burners and gas cylinders in the combustion cabinet as well. They also cleaned the containerless experimental chamber and maintained electrode mechanisms.

In addition, the astronauts checked and maintained low-temperature storage devices, application fluid loop pumps, and other facilities as scheduled, while organizing supplies within the cabin.

Meanwhile, the astronauts continued their health management by using a space treadmill and resistance bands for on-orbit exercise, actively countering the physiological effects of weightlessness.

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on October 31, 2025, sending the three astronauts to the orbiting space station on a six-month mission.

Shenzhou-21 Crew
Zhang Lu (张陆) - Commander & Pilot - 2nd spaceflight
Wu Fei (武飞)  Flight Engineer - 1st spaceflight
Zhang Hong Zhang (张洪章) - Payload Specialist - 1st spaceflight


Video Credit: CCTV
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: April 12, 2026


#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #Shenzhou21Mission #神舟二十一号 #Shenzhou21 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #ZhangLu #WuFei #ZhangHongzhang #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #MicrogravityExperiments #SpaceLaboratory #CNSA #国家航天局 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Russian Federation Celebrates Yuri Gagarin—First Human in Space: April 12, 1961

Russian Federation Celebrates Yuri GagarinFirst Human in Space: April 12, 1961

This year marks the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic spaceflight. In the Russian Federation, April 12, the International Day of Human Spaceflight, is celebrated as Cosmonautics Day.

"In 1961, Yuri Gagarin made the impossible possible. First human to break Earth’s gravity." 

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (March 9, 1934 – March 27, 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut that became the first person to journey into outer space aboard the first successful crewed spaceflight. Travelling on Vostok 1, Gagarin completed one orbit of Earth on April 12, 1961, with his flight taking 108 minutes. By achieving this major milestone for the Soviet Union amidst the Space Race, he was awarded many medals and titles, including his country's highest distinction—Hero of the Soviet Union.

“After flying around the Earth in a satellite ship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, we should preserve and multiply this beauty – not destroy it.”
—Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

Video Credit: RT
Duration: 2 minutes
Release Date: April 12, 2026

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Earth #History #HumanSpaceflight #YuriGagarin #ЮрийГагарин #Cosmonaut #Pilot #Russia #Россия #SovietUnion #USSR #CCCP #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #CosmonauticsDay #SpaceExploration #International #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Artemis II Astronauts Return to Houston & Reunite with Families | NASA Johnson

Artemis II Astronauts Return to Houston & Reunite with Families | NASA Johnson

The crew of Artemis II, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, are welcomed home at a ceremony held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston after their historic 10-day mission around the Moon and back.
NASA’s Artemis II mission specialist, Christina Koch, shared brief remarks with friends, family, and colleagues after they landed at Ellington Airport near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026
NASA’s Artemis II crew, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, shared brief remarks with friends, family, and colleagues after they landed at Ellington Airport near NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
NASA’s Artemis II crew, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, shared brief remarks with friends, family, and colleagues

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman returns home to Houston, stepping off a plane at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026
Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover (top) and Mission Specialist Christina Koch (center) return home to Houston, stepping off a plane at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026
Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover returns home to Houston, stepping off a plane at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, following his 10-day mission around the Moon.
Artemis II Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen returns home to Houston, stepping off a plane at Ellington Airport near NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026


The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century. 

During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach. 

Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Image Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz/Bill Stafford/Helen Arase Vargas
Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #EllingtonField #NASAJohnson #JSC #Houston #Texas #UnitedStates #STEM #Education

Saturday, April 11, 2026

NASA Artemis II Astronaut & Pilot Victor Glover Talks about "Gratitude"

NASA Artemis II Astronaut & Pilot Victor Glover Talks about "Gratitude"

Artemis II pilot and NASA astronaut Victor Glover expresses his gratitude for all the support their crew has received for their lunar mission.

"We are fortunate to be in this agency at this time together."

After their historic journey around the Moon, the Artemis II astronauts have come home. They arrived in Houston, Texas, home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10, 2026, concluding the Artemis II mission. 

The crew accomplished many milestones on their nearly 10-day mission, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for farthest crewed spaceflight and observing the lunar surface like never before, capturing iconic views.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Duration: 1 minute, 56 seconds
Release Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #ReidWiseman #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAJohnson #UnitedStates #Humanity #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Astronaut Christina Koch Talks about Planet Earth as a "Crew"

NASA Artemis II Astronaut Christina Koch Talks about Planet Earth as a "Crew"

"Planet Earth: You are a crew."

Artemis II mission specialist and NASA astronaut Christina Koch reflects on what it means to be a "crew."

After their historic journey around the Moon, the Artemis II astronauts have come home. They arrived in Houston, Texas, home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10, 2026, concluding the Artemis II mission. 

The crew accomplished many milestones on their nearly 10-day mission, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for farthest crewed spaceflight and observing the lunar surface like never before, capturing iconic views.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Duration: 2 minutes, 54 seconds
Release Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts #ChristinaKoch #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAJohnson #UnitedStates #Humanity #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video

NASA Artemis II Flight Day 10 Highlights | Johnson Space Center

NASA Artemis II Flight Day 10 Highlights | Johnson Space Center


NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10, 2026, concluding the Artemis II mission.


NASA’s Artemis II Mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist, on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for farthest crewed spaceflight and observing the lunar surface like never before, capturing iconic views.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Duration: 45 minutes
Release Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #CrewedMissions #Astronauts #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAJohnson #JSC #UnitedStates #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Talks about Artemis II Crew Unity

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Talks about Artemis II Crew Unity

Artemis II mission specialist and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen discusses ways that the crew worked together and supported each other throughout their historic lunar mission: 
"We are a mirror, reflecting you."

After their historic journey around the Moon, the Artemis II astronauts have come home. They arrived in Houston, Texas, home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on April 10, 2026, concluding the Artemis II mission. 

The crew accomplished many milestones on their nearly 10-day mission, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for farthest crewed spaceflight and observing the lunar surface like never before, capturing iconic views.

Under Artemis, NASA will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/


Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Duration: 1 minute, 37 seconds
Release Date: April 11, 2026

#NASA #Space #Science #Earth #Moon #ArtemisProgram #ArtemisII #OrionSpacecraft #Astronauts  #JeremyHansen #CSA #Canada #ReidWiseman #VictorGlover #ChristinaKoch #HumanSpaceflight #SolarSystem #SpaceExploration #NASAJohnson #UnitedStates #Humanity #InternationalCooperation #STEM #Education #HD #Video