Solar System Orbit Visualization | NOIRLab

Solar System Orbit Visualization | NOIRLab

A visualization of the orbits of the planets in our Solar System. The Solar System is the gravitationally bound system of the Sun and the masses that orbit it, most prominently its "eight planets" acccording to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), of these, Earth is one. The system formed about 4.6 billion years ago when a dense region of a molecular cloud collapsed, creating the Sun and a protoplanetary disc where the orbiting bodies assembled. Inside the Sun's core, hydrogen has been fused into helium for billions of years, releasing energy over even longer periods of time emitted through the Sun's outer layer, the photosphere. This created the heliosphere and a decreasing temperature gradient across the Solar System.

The mass of the Solar System is by 99.86% almost completely made up of the Sun's mass. The next most massive objects of the system are the eight planets that by definition dominate the orbits they occupy. Closest to the Sun in order of increasing distance are the four terrestrial planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. These are the planets of the inner Solar System. Earth and Mars are the only planets in the Solar System that orbit within the Sun's habitable zone, where sunlight can make surface water under atmospheric pressure a liquid. Beyond the frost line at about five astronomical units (AU), are two gas giants—Jupiter and Saturn—and two ice giants—Uranus and Neptune. These are the planets of the outer Solar System. Jupiter and Saturn possess nearly 90% of the non-stellar mass of the Solar System.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) established on July 28, 1919, in Brussels, Belgium. Its headquarters is located in Paris, France. The IAU aims to "promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, education, and outreach, through global collaboration."

NSF NOIRLab (formally named the National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) is the United States' national center for ground-based, nighttime optical astronomy. Through NOIRLab's programs, it is responsible for the following facilities: NSF Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC), the International Gemini Observatory, NSF Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO) and the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) operates these facilities and NSF NOIRLab under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

Video Credit: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA
Duration: 33 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 17, 2025

#NASA #Astronomy #Space #Science #Sun #SolarSystem #Planets #Astrophysics #Gravity #Orbits #Earth #NOIRLab #NSF #AURA #UnitedStates #Chile #STEM #Education #Visualization #HD #Video

Starlink Satellites, Star Trails & Earth Airglow | International Space Station

Starlink Satellites, Star Trails & Earth Airglow | International Space Station

NASA astronaut and former International Space Station flight engineer Don Pettit: "Starlink satellites flashing white streaks into the time history of my orbital star trails. Bright flashes contrast against red-orange bands of atmospheric airglow."

NASA astronaut Don Pettit returned to Earth on April 19, 2025, concluding a seven-month science mission aboard the International Space Station. Pettit spent 220 days in space, earning him a total of 590 days in space over the course of his four spaceflights. He orbited the Earth 3,520 times, traveling 93.3 million miles in low-Earth orbit.

You will notice red-orange airglow in this image. Airglow occurs when atoms and molecules in the Earth's upper atmosphere, excited by sunlight, emit light to shed their excess energy. Or, it can happen when atoms and molecules that have been ionized by sunlight collide with and capture a free electron. In both cases, they eject a particle of light—called a photon—in order to relax again. The phenomenon is similar to auroras, but where auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from the solar wind, airglow is energized by ordinary, day-to-day solar radiation. 

Unlike episodic and fleeting auroras, airglow shines constantly throughout Earth’s atmosphere, and the result is a tenuous bubble of light that closely encases our entire planet. (Auroras, on the other hand, are usually constrained to Earth’s poles.) Just a tenth as bright as all the stars in the night sky, airglow is far more subdued than auroras, too dim to observe easily except in orbit or on the ground with clear, dark skies and a sensitive camera.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, an international telecommunications provider that is a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to around 150 countries and territories.

Follow Expedition 74:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 74 Crew

Station Commander: Mike Fincke (NASA)

JAXA Flight Engineer (Japan): Kimiya Yui

Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Oleg Platonov, Sergey-Kud Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev

NASA Flight Engineers: Zena Cardman, Chris Williams

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center/D. Pettit

Release Date: Dec. 28, 2025

#NASA #Space #Astronomy #ISS #Science #Stars #Satellites #SpaceX #Starlink #Earth #Airglow #Astronauts #DonPettit #AstronautPhotography #UnitedStates #Japan #JAXA #Cosmonauts #Russia #Roscosmos #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #InternationalCooperation #Expedition71 #Expedition72 #STEM #Education

Shenzhou-21 Crew Work on Experiments in Multiple Fields | China Space Station

Shenzhou-21 Crew Work on Experiments in Multiple Fields | China Space Station

Almost two months into their mission, the Shenzhou-21 crew have been smoothly pushing for experiments in multiple domains aboard China's Tiangong Space Station.

China launched the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship on November 1, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station on a six-month mission.

The Shenzhou-21 crew consists of mission commander Zhang Lu, and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. These three astronauts serve as pilot, flight engineer, and payload specialist, respectively, representing all three categories of Chinese astronauts currently being applied in the country's space endeavors.

In the field of aerospace medicine experiments, the three astronauts used electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment to acquire data needed for experimental projects such as metacognitive monitoring research and group brain cognition-emotion analysis and regulation, assisting the ground-based researchers in their ongoing research.

In Wentian lab module, the trio used the science glove box to collect samples of Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant that will help in research on the molecular network regulation of plant stem cells.

In the field of microgravity physics, the crew completed the disassembly and assembly of the complex fluid experiment module in the fluid physics experimental cabinet and replaced the experimental samples according to the experimental plan.

The crew members replaced the sampling cover of the plug-in gas experiment in the combustion experimental cabinet, and carried out the cleaning and replacement of the sample in the containerless cabinet experimental chamber and the maintenance of the electrodes of the axial mechanism.

The mission crew also launched the project in-situ electrochemical optical research of lithium-ion batteries for space applications. This will give full play to the professional advantages of payload expert Zhang to acquire images of the entire process of lithium dendrite growth.

Furthermore, the three astronauts underwent medical examinations, such as bone density measurement, electrocardiogram and blood pressure checks, and visual function measurement to comprehensively understand their on-orbit health status.

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: 1 minute, 41 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 28, 2025

#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 #SpaceLaboratory #MicrogravityExperiments #CMSA #中国载人航天工程办公室 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Russian Soyuz Rocket Pre-launch: Multi-Satellite Mission | Vostochny Cosmodrome

Russian Soyuz Rocket Pre-launch: Multi-Satellite Mission | Vostochny Cosmodrome

A Russian Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat rocket, scheduled to deliver a pair of Aist-2T Earth Observation satellites and 50 ridesharing payloads, including a trio of Iranian satellites, is vertical at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than December 28, 2025.

The Vostochny Cosmodrome is a Russian space launch facility in the Amur Oblast, located above the 51st parallel north in the Russian Far East. It was built to help reduce Russia’s reliance on the Baikonur Cosmodrome located on land the Russian government leases from Kazakhstan. The civilian launch facility is operated by Roscosmos, the state corporation responsible for space flights. The facility was established in August 2011 and saw its first launch on April 28, 2016.

The dual-purpose Aist-2T satellite with a mass of 670 kilograms, was developed at RKTs Progress in Samara under a 2019 contract with the Roskosmos State Corporation that ordered a two-spacecraft system producing stereo-imaging of the Earth surface from a Sun-synchronous orbit. The Aist-2T satellite was reported to be capable of capturing images with a resolution as high as 1.6 meters, when photographing in nadir (directly below its flight path) in pan-chromatic mode. In the same imaging mode, it could also produce stereo images with a resolution up to 1.9 meters. Multi-spectral and color imagery was reported to be possible with a resolution of 4.8 meters when pointing in nadir or up to 5.9 meters for stereo sets of photos.

The Aist-2T variant also featured a built-in propulsion system for the first time, while the satellite's downlink channel for sending imaging data back to Earth was expanded from 150 megabits per second on Aist-2D to 1,600 megabits per second on the 2T version.

Video Credit: Rocosmos/SMG

Duration: 1 minute, 32 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 26, 2025

#NASA #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Space #Science #Earth #Satellites #EarthObservation #Aist2T1 #Aist2T2 #SoyuzRockets #Soyuz21bRocket #VostochnyCosmodrome #КосмодромВосточный #AmurOblast #Russia #Россия #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Russian Soyuz Rocket Pre-launch: Multi-Satellite Mission | Vostochny Cosmodrome

Russian Soyuz Rocket Pre-launch: Multi-Satellite Mission | Vostochny Cosmodrome

Roscosmos completed assembly and encapsulation of the payload section for the Aist-2T imaging satellite, along with a cluster of secondary payloads, including an Iranian satellite(s) (center) and multiple cubesats (left) ahead of a late December 2025 launch.

A Russian Soyuz-2-1b/Fregat rocket, scheduled to deliver a pair of Aist-2T Earth Observation satellites and 50 ridesharing payloads, including a trio of Iranian satellites, is vertical at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than December 28, 2025.

The Vostochny Cosmodrome is a Russian space launch facility in the Amur Oblast, located above the 51st parallel north in the Russian Far East. It was built to help reduce Russia’s reliance on the Baikonur Cosmodrome located on land the Russian government leases from Kazakhstan. The civilian launch facility is operated by Roscosmos, the state corporation responsible for space flights. The facility was established in August 2011 and saw its first launch on April 28, 2016.

The dual-purpose Aist-2T satellite with a mass of 670 kilograms, was developed at RKTs Progress in Samara under a 2019 contract with the Roskosmos State Corporation that ordered a two-spacecraft system producing stereo-imaging of the Earth surface from a Sun-synchronous orbit. The Aist-2T satellite was reported to be capable of capturing images with a resolution as high as 1.6 meters, when photographing in nadir (directly below its flight path) in pan-chromatic mode. In the same imaging mode, it could also produce stereo images with a resolution up to 1.9 meters. Multi-spectral and color imagery was reported to be possible with a resolution of 4.8 meters when pointing in nadir or up to 5.9 meters for stereo sets of photos.

The Aist-2T variant also featured a built-in propulsion system for the first time, while the satellite's downlink channel for sending imaging data back to Earth was expanded from 150 megabits per second on Aist-2D to 1,600 megabits per second on the 2T version.

Image Credit: Artyom Pylayev
Acknowledgement: Katya Pavlushchenko
Release Date: Dec. 26, 2025

#NASA #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #Space #Science #Earth #Satellites #EarthObservation #Aist2T1 #Aist2T2 #SoyuzRockets #Soyuz21bRocket #VostochnyCosmodrome #КосмодромВосточный #AmurOblast #Russia #Россия #STEM #Education

Phobos Moon over Martian dust storm near Pavonis Mons | Europe's Mars Express

Phobos Moon over Martian dust storm near Pavonis Mons | Europe's Mars Express

The European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft's High Res­o­lu­tion Stereo Cam­era (HRSC) captured these views of the Martian moon Phobos above a Martian dust storm near Pavonis Mons. Pavonis Mons (Latin for "peacock mountain") is a large shield volcano located in the Tharsis region of the planet Mars. It is the middle member of a chain of three volcanic mountains (collectively known as the Tharsis Montes) that straddle the Martian equator between longitudes 235°E and 259°E. The volcano was discovered by the Mariner 9 spacecraft in 1971, and was originally called Middle Spot. Its name formally became Pavonis Mons in 1973. A shield volcano is a type of volcano characterized by its low profile and broad, gently sloping sides, resembling a warrior's shield lying on the ground. They are primarily formed by the eruption of low-viscosity basaltic lava that allows the lava to flow over great distances, creating a wide, shield-like shape. 

The HRSC camera on Mars Express is operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The systematic processing of the camera data took place at the DLR Institute for Planetary Research in Berlin-Adlershof.

Mars Express has now been in space for over twenty-two years, despite a planned initial lifetime of just 687 Earth days. It has achieved its aforementioned aims and revealed a wealth of knowledge about Mars in that time, making it undeniably one of the most successful missions ever sent to the Red Planet.

The orbiter will continue its study of Mars until at least the end of 2026 with an indicative extension from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028 to support the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)-led Mars Moons eXploration (MMX) mission (Japan), followed by two years of post-operations.

Mars Express has conducted data relay for seven rovers and landing platforms and has supported scientific work with a further five orbiters.

The past 20 years of observations from Mars Express have solidified our picture of Mars as a once-habitable planet with warmer and wetter epochs that may have been oases for ancient life. This is a monumental shift from our previous view of the planet that characterized it as an eternally cold and arid world.

Mars Express has identified and mapped signs of past water across Mars—from minerals that only form in the presence of water to water-carved valleys, groundwater systems, and ponds lurking below ground—and traced its influence and prevalence through martian history. It has peered deep into the Martian atmosphere, mapping how gases (water, ozone, methane) are distributed and escape to space, and watching as dust is whipped up from the surface into the air. The mission has seen giant dust storms engulf the planet, creating familiar clouds like those we see on Earth, and tracked rare ultraviolet auroras. 

The orbiter has seen signs of recent and episodic volcanism and tectonics, and explored the planet’s unique surface features, mapping 98.8% of Mars and creating thousands of 3D images of impact craters, canyons (including the Valles Marineris system), the planet’s icy poles, immense volcanoes and more.

Learn more: 
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express

Image Credit: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin/AndreaLuck via creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
Release Date: Dec. 27, 2025

#NASA #ESA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Mars #PavonisMons #ShieldVolcanoes #TharsisMontes #Geology #MarsExpress #MarsExpressSpacecraft #HRSC #Europe #DLR #FUBerlin #Berlin #Germany #Deutschland #STEM #Education

Phobos Moon above Martian Dust Storm near Volcano | Europe's Mars Express

Phobos Moon above Martian Dust Storm near Volcano | Europe's Mars Express

The European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Express spacecraft's High Res­o­lu­tion Stereo Cam­era (HRSC) captured these views of the Martian moon Phobos above a Martian dust storm near Pavonis Mons. Pavonis Mons (Latin for "peacock mountain") is a large shield volcano located in the Tharsis region of the planet Mars. It is the middle member of a chain of three volcanic mountains (collectively known as the Tharsis Montes) that straddle the Martian equator between longitudes 235°E and 259°E. The volcano was discovered by the Mariner 9 spacecraft in 1971, and was originally called Middle Spot. Its name formally became Pavonis Mons in 1973. A shield volcano is a type of volcano characterized by its low profile and broad, gently sloping sides, resembling a warrior's shield lying on the ground. They are primarily formed by the eruption of low-viscosity basaltic lava that allows the lava to flow over great distances, creating a wide, shield-like shape. 

The HRSC camera on Mars Express is operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The systematic processing of the camera data took place at the DLR Institute for Planetary Research in Berlin-Adlershof.

Mars Express has now been in space for over twenty-two years, despite a planned initial lifetime of just 687 Earth days. It has achieved its aforementioned aims and revealed a wealth of knowledge about Mars in that time, making it undeniably one of the most successful missions ever sent to the Red Planet.

The orbiter will continue its study of Mars until at least the end of 2026 with an indicative extension from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2028 to support the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)-led Mars Moons eXploration (MMX) mission (Japan), followed by two years of post-operations.

Mars Express has conducted data relay for seven rovers and landing platforms and has supported scientific work with a further five orbiters.

The past 20 years of observations from Mars Express have solidified our picture of Mars as a once-habitable planet with warmer and wetter epochs that may have been oases for ancient life. This is a monumental shift from our previous view of the planet that characterized it as an eternally cold and arid world.

Mars Express has identified and mapped signs of past water across Mars—from minerals that only form in the presence of water to water-carved valleys, groundwater systems, and ponds lurking below ground—and traced its influence and prevalence through martian history. It has peered deep into the Martian atmosphere, mapping how gases (water, ozone, methane) are distributed and escape to space, and watching as dust is whipped up from the surface into the air. The mission has seen giant dust storms engulf the planet, creating familiar clouds like those we see on Earth, and tracked rare ultraviolet auroras. 

The orbiter has seen signs of recent and episodic volcanism and tectonics, and explored the planet’s unique surface features, mapping 98.8% of Mars and creating thousands of 3D images of impact craters, canyons (including the Valles Marineris system), the planet’s icy poles, immense volcanoes and more.

Learn more: 
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express

Video Credit: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin/AndreaLuck via creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
Duration: 14 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 27, 2025

#NASA #ESA #Space #Astronomy #Science #Planet #Mars #PavonisMons #ShieldVolcanoes #TharsisMontes #Geology #MarsExpress #MarsExpressSpacecraft #HRSC #Europe #DLR #FUBerlin #Berlin #Germany #Deutschland #STEM #Education #HD #Video

China Tech Review 2025: Reusable Rockets "just got real"

China Tech Review 2025: Reusable Rockets "just got real"

Reusable rockets are no longer a spectacle. This year saw them gradually transform into a piece of infrastructure with China emerging as a strong competitor in the race for space transport vehicles.

December 2025 featured two significant spaceflights. LandSpace's Zhuque-3 and the state-backed Long March-12A each completed their maiden missions carrying satellites to orbit.

The Long March 12A (LM-12A or CZ-12A), is a Chinese reusable medium-lift launch vehicle carrier rocket. The rocket has two stages and its first stage is designed to be reused after stage-recovery via propulsive landing. Both stages of the rocket use methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX) for propulsion. The rocket is manufactured by Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST).

The first flight occurred on December 23, 2025 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) with a successful orbital launch but the first-stage recovery was unsuccessful.

By comparison, SpaceX's first landing test occurred in September 2013 on the sixth flight of a Falcon 9 and maiden launch of the v1.1 rocket version. Between 2013 to 2016, sixteen test flights were conducted, only six of these achieved a soft landing and recovery of the first-stage booster. 

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has commented on the Landspace Zhuque-3's design: "They have added aspects of Starship, such as use of stainless steel and methalox, to a Falcon 9 architecture, which would enable it to beat Falcon 9 . . ."

Video Credit: CGTN
Duration: 3 minutes
Release Date: Dec. 27, 2025

#NASA #Space #Satellites #Earth #LEO #China #中国 #LandSpace #蓝箭 #Zhuque3Rocket #Zhuque3 #朱雀三号 #LongMarch12A #LM12A #长征十二号甲运载火箭 #SAST #ReusableRockets #LaunchVehicles #MethaneLiquidOxygen #Methalox #JiuquanSatelliteLaunchCenter #JSLC #酒泉卫星发射中心 #InnerMongolia #CommercialSpace #CommercialSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video

ISRO LVM3 Heavy-lift Rocket Launch: US BlueBird 6 Communications Satellite

ISRO LVM3 Heavy-lift Rocket Launch: US BlueBird 6 Communications Satellite

On Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another significant milestone for India's space program, successfully launching the LVM3-M6 rocket carrying the next-generation US communication satellite, BlueBird Block-2, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission highlights India's strengths in space technology and the critical role of ISRO’s heavy-lift vehicle, the LVM3 rocket, in the global space industry.

The LVM3, ISRO’s most powerful rocket, is known for its ability to carry large payloads into space, making it essential for missions requiring high payload capacity. In this mission, LVM3-M6 successfully placed the 6,100 kg BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This makes the BlueBird Block-2 the heaviest payload ever launched by the LVM3, setting a new benchmark for the rocket’s capabilities.

The satellite launch is part of a commercial mission, underlining ISRO's growing role in the international space market. The BlueBird Block-2 satellite was launched as part of a partnership between ISRO and U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile, aimed at providing global mobile broadband coverage. The satellite's primary objective is to improve communication networks by providing mobile connectivity across underserved regions, especially in remote areas. At nearly 2,400 square feet, BlueBird 6 is over three times the size and ten times the capacity of AST SpaceMobile’s six satellites currently in orbit. The satellite is designed to enable peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps directly to standard, unmodified mobile devices, supporting voice, full data, and video applications from space.

More information: 

https://isro.gov.in/LVM3_M6_BlueBird_Block2_Mission.html

AST SpaceMobile: https://feeds.issuerdirect.com/news-release.html?newsid=4645472761706619

Sriharikota is a barrier island off the Bay of Bengal coast located in the Shar Project settlement of Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, one of the two satellite launch centres in India (the other being Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, Thiruvananthapuram). ISRO launches satellites using multistage rockets, such as the PSLV and the GSLV, from Sriharikota. Sriharikota was selected by ISRO because of its proximity to the equator, it gives extra centripetal force from the rotation of Earth.

Video Credit: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) 

Duration: 1 minute
Date: Dec. 24, 2025

#NASA #ISRO #Space #Satellites #Science #Earth #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #LVM3M6Rocket #HeavyLiftRockets #BlueBirdSatellite6 #BlueBirdBlock2 #ASTMobile #CommunicationsSatellites #UnitedStates #CommercialSpace #NSIL #SDSC #Sriharikota #AndhraPradesh #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #Aerospace #STEM #Education #HD #Video

ISRO LVM3 Heavy-lift Rocket Launch: US BlueBird 6 Communications Satellite

ISRO LVM3 Heavy-lift Rocket Launch: US BlueBird 6 Communications Satellite

On Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another significant milestone for India's space program, successfully launching the LVM3-M6 rocket carrying the next-generation US communication satellite, BlueBird Block-2, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission highlights India's strengths in space technology and the critical role of ISRO’s heavy-lift vehicle, the LVM3 rocket, in the global space industry.

The LVM3, ISRO’s most powerful rocket, is known for its ability to carry large payloads into space, making it essential for missions requiring high payload capacity. In this mission, LVM3-M6 successfully placed the 6,100 kg BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This makes the BlueBird Block-2 the heaviest payload ever launched by the LVM3, setting a new benchmark for the rocket’s capabilities.

The satellite launch is part of a commercial mission, underlining ISRO's growing role in the international space market. The BlueBird Block-2 satellite was launched as part of a partnership between ISRO and U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile, aimed at providing global mobile broadband coverage. The satellite's primary objective is to improve communication networks by providing mobile connectivity across underserved regions, especially in remote areas. At nearly 2,400 square feet, BlueBird 6 is over three times the size and ten times the capacity of AST SpaceMobile’s six satellites currently in orbit. The satellite is designed to enable peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps directly to standard, unmodified mobile devices, supporting voice, full data, and video applications from space.

More information: 

https://isro.gov.in/LVM3_M6_BlueBird_Block2_Mission.html

AST SpaceMobile: https://feeds.issuerdirect.com/news-release.html?newsid=4645472761706619

Sriharikota is a barrier island off the Bay of Bengal coast located in the Shar Project settlement of Tirupati district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It houses the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, one of the two satellite launch centres in India (the other being Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, Thiruvananthapuram). ISRO launches satellites using multistage rockets, such as the PSLV and the GSLV, from Sriharikota. Sriharikota was selected by ISRO because of its proximity to the equator, it gives extra centripetal force from the rotation of Earth.

Image Credit: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) 
Image Dates: Dec. 19-24, 2025

#NASA #ISRO #Space #Satellites #Science #Earth #India #BhāratGaṇarājya #LVM3M6Rocket #HeavyLiftRockets #BlueBirdSatellite6 #BlueBirdBlock2 #ASTMobile #CommunicationsSatellites #UnitedStates #CommercialSpace #NSIL #SDSC #Sriharikota #AndhraPradesh #SpaceTechnology #Engineering #Aerospace #STEM #Education

South America to Europe | International Space Station

South America to Europe | International Space Station

International Space Station - 25 Years in Orbit (2000-2025)

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 station was designed between 1984 and 1993. Elements of the station were under construction throughout the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe beginning in the late 1980s.

The International Space Station Program brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, globally distributed launch and flight operations, training, engineering, and development facilities, communications networks, and the international scientific research community.

Learn more about the International Space Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-facts-and-figures/

Follow Expedition 74:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 74 Crew

Station Commander: Mike Fincke (NASA)

JAXA Flight Engineer (Japan): Kimiya Yui

Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Oleg Platonov, Sergey-Kud Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev

NASA Flight Engineers: Zena Cardman, Chris Williams

Video Credit: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/K. Yui

Duration: 55 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 27, 2025

#NASA #Space #ISS #Science #Planets #Earth #SouthAmerica #Europe #Astronauts #UnitedStates #Japan #日本 #JAXA #宇宙航空研究開発機構 #UnitedStates #Cosmonauts #Russia #Россия #Roscosmos #Роскосмос #HumanSpaceflight #SpaceLaboratory #InternationalCooperation #Expedition74 #STEM #Education #HD #Video

Expedition 75 Crew Insignia: Coming in Early 2026 | International Space Station

Expedition 75 Mission: Crew Arrival in Early 2026 | International Space Station

"The official mission insignia of the Expedition 75 crew aboard the International Space Station. This patch embodies Expedition 75's mission on the orbital outpost, a beacon of human aspiration. Radiant golden and white lines surge from Earth, forging a bond between our planet and the cosmos, illustrating the profound impact of the International Space Station's work on humanity. Above, the cupola's windows, depicted as geometric blue forms, serve as a poignant reminder of our home, connecting astronauts to their loved ones and the breathtaking beauty of Earth. Below, majestic mountain ranges underscore the vital role of our planet's landscapes and ecosystems in our quest for knowledge and preservation. The gradient arc, cradling Earth's curvature, symbolizes our fragile atmosphere and the International Space Station's orbital path, a testament to our relentless pursuit of discovery and growth."

Expedition 75 Crew Members
United States (NASA) Jessica Meir
United States (NASA) Jack Hathaway
France (ESA-CNES) Sophie Adenot
Russia (Roscosmnos) Andrey Fedyaev
Russia (Roscosmnos) Pyotr Dubrov
Russia (Roscosmnos) Anna Kikina
United States (NASA) Anil Menon

International Space Station - 25 Years in Orbit (2000-2025)

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 station was designed between 1984 and 1993. Elements of the station were under construction throughout the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe beginning in the late 1980s.

The International Space Station Program brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, globally distributed launch and flight operations, training, engineering, and development facilities, communications networks, and the international scientific research community.

Learn more about the International Space Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center
Image Date: June 11, 2025

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China continues to expand its space program with 72 launches in 2025

China continues to expand its space program with 72 launches in 2025

China’s space program has been reaching for the stars in 2025 with 72 orbital launches in the year—30% up on 2024. The country's Tiangong Space Station continued to be a major focus of activity in 2025 with the arrival of the Shenzhou-20 crew in April 2025, ready for their six-month stay. However it was not all chicken wings and steak on the China Space Station—the crew’s return to Earth was delayed after space debris hit their spacecraft.

CGTN’s Catherine Drew reports on China’s rocket-boosted space program.

Video Credit: CGTN
Duration: 2 minutes, 53 seconds
Release Date: Dec. 26, 2025

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New Expedition 73-74 Crew Photos | International Space Station

New Expedition 73-74 Crew Photos | International Space Station

The ten International Space Station crew members representing both Expedition 73 and 74 pose for a portrait in the Kibo laboratory module after Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Russia (front right) handed over command of the orbital outpost to NASA astronaut Mike Fincke (front center). Directly behind the duo (from left) are NASA astronaut Chris Williams, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Mikaev of Russia, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Russia, and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. In the back are, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Platonov and Alexey Zubritsky of Russia.

Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Zubritsky of Russia holds the camera for a group selfie with fellow Expedition 73 crew members Kimiya Yui of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at lower left, (second row from left) NASA astronauts Jonny Kim and Zena Cardman, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Platonov and Sergey Ryzhikov of Russia, and in the back, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Zena Cardman installs sample cassettes into the ADSEP-4 (Advanced Space Experiment Processor) located inside the International Space Station's Destiny laboratory module. She was conducting research operations for the Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory biotechnology experiment, which is investigating methods to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing in microgravity.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Jonny Kim displays a pair of Astrobee free-flying robotic assistants inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module. The toaster-sized, cube-shaped devices are powered by fans and vision-based navigation to demonstrate their ability to assist astronauts with routine chores and provide remote monitoring capabilities for mission controllers on Earth.

Astronauts Kimiya Yui of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mike Fincke of NASA—Expedition 74 Flight Engineer and Commander, respectively—pose for a fun portrait during maintenance activities inside the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui points a camera out a cupola window and photographs external International Space Station hardware. The orbital outpost was soaring 263 miles above the Atlantic Ocean northwest of Spain at the time of this photograph.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Mike Fincke smiles for a portrait during research operations for the Droplets fluid physics investigation. Fincke was inside the International Space Station's Destiny laboratory module exploring how particles behave inside fluids. The microgravity study may inform commercial in-space manufacturing techniques and improve optical materials and pollution removal operations.

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Zena Cardman transfers the Advanced Space Experiment Processor-2 (ADSEP-2) from the Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft for installation inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module. ADSEP-2 can be launched to the orbital outpost and returned to Earth aboard commercial cargo vehicles. It supports a range of investigations, including cell and tissue culturing, protein crystal growth, microbiology, and materials science.

International Space Station - 25 Years in Orbit (2000-2025)

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 station was designed between 1984 and 1993. Elements of the station were under construction throughout the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe beginning in the late 1980s.

The International Space Station Program brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, globally distributed launch and flight operations, training, engineering, and development facilities, communications networks, and the international scientific research community.

Learn more about the International Space Station:

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/

https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-facts-and-figures/

Follow Expedition 74:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 74 Crew

Station Commander: Mike Fincke (NASA)

JAXA Flight Engineer (Japan): Kimiya Yui

Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Oleg Platonov, Sergey-Kud Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev

NASA Flight Engineers: Zena Cardman, Chris Williams

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center
Image Dates: Sept. 30-Dec. 16, 2025

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Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: Earth Flyby

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: Earth Flyby

Attention grabbing interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS made its not-so-close flyby of our fair planet on December 19, 2025, at a distance of 1.8 astronomical units. This is about 900 light-seconds. Still, this deep exposure captures the comet from another star system as it gently swept across a faint background of stars in the constellation Leo about 4 days earlier, on the night of December 15. Though faint, colors emphasized in the image data, show off the comet's yellowish dust tail and bluish ion tail along with a greenish tinged coma. And even while scrutinized by arrays of telescopes and spacecraft from planet Earth, 3I ATLAS is headed out of the Solar System. It is presently moving outward along a hyperbolic trajectory at about 64 kilometers per second relative to the Sun, too fast to be bound the Sun's gravity.

The NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile discovered the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 1, 2025.

Comet 3I/ATLAS appears relatively normal when compared to Solar System comets, therefore providing more evidence that our Solar System is a somewhat typical one. For example, Comet 3I/ATLAS has a broadly similar chemical composition and ejected dust.

Learn more about Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS:
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/3i-atlas/

Image Credit & Copyright: Dan Bartlett

Dan's Website: 

https://app.astrobin.com/u/h2ologg#gallery

Image Date: Dec. 15, 2025
Release Date: Dec. 26, 2025

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The Christmas Tree Star Cluster & Fox Fur Nebula in Monoceros

The Christmas Tree Star Cluster & Fox Fur Nebula in Monoceros

A star forming region cataloged as NGC 2264, this beautiful but complex arrangement of interstellar gas and dust is about 2,700 light-years distant in the faint but fanciful constellation Monoceros, the Unicorn. Seen toward the celestial equator and near the plane of our Milky Way galaxy, the seasonal skyscape mixes reddish emission nebulae excited by energetic light from newborn stars with dark interstellar dust clouds. Where the otherwise obscuring dust clouds lie close to the hot, young stars, they also reflect starlight, forming blue reflection nebulae. In fact, bright variable star S Monocerotis is immersed in a blue-tinted haze near center. Arrayed with a simple triangular outline above S Monocerotis, the stars of NGC 2264 are popularly known as the Christmas Tree star cluster. Carved by energetic starlight, the Cone Nebula sits upside down at the apex of this cosmic Christmas tree while the dusty, convoluted pelt of glowing gas and dust under the tree is called the Fox Fur Nebula. This rich telescopic frame spans about 1.5 degrees or 3 full moons on the sky top to bottom, covering nearly 80 light-years at the distance of NGC 2264.

Image Credit & Copyright: Michael Kalika

Michael's website: 

https://www.instagram.com/mkalika/
Release Date: Dec. 25, 2025

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