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Shenzhou-20 Crewed Mission: Long March Rocket Liftoff | China Space Station
China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on Thursday, April 24, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off at 17:17 (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
About 10 minutes after the launch, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The crew members, consisting of mission commander Chen Dong and crew members Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, remained in good condition while the launch has been declared a complete success, the CMSA announced.
China's Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong Space Station later on Thursday. The spacecraft made a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the radial port of the space station's core module Tianhe at 11:49 p.m. Beijing Time. The whole process took approximately 6.5 hours.
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's manned space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.
Artemis Human Moon Lander: 3D Printed Rocket Motor Test | NASA Marshall
Engineers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, recently completed a test fire campaign of a 14-inch hybrid rocket motor. The rocket motor ignites using both solid fuel and a stream of gaseous oxygen to create a powerful stream of rocket exhaust. Data from the test campaign will help teams prepare for future flight conditions when commercial human landing systems, provided by SpaceX and Blue Origin, touch down on the Moon for crewed Artemis missions.
The hybrid motor was test fired 30 times to ensure it will reliably ignite in preparation for testing later this year at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. This video shows the 28th test, conducted in February 2025, during which the 3D-printed motor fired for six seconds.
The hybrid motor will be used for additional testing at NASA Langley this summer. There, engineers will fire the motor, developed at Utah State University in Logan, into a field of simulated lunar regolith in the center’s 60-ft spherical near-vacuum chamber to better characterize the crater created by the rocket exhaust and how regolith particles travel.
Close-up: Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 5335 in Virgo | Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope captured in exquisite detail a face-on view of a remarkable-looking galaxy 225 million light-years away. NGC 5335 is categorized as a flocculent spiral galaxy with patchy streamers of star formation across its disk. There is a striking lack of well-defined spiral arms that are commonly found among galaxies, including our Milky Way. A notable bar structure slices across the center of the galaxy. The bar channels gas inwards toward the galactic center, fueling star formation. Such bars are dynamic in galaxies and may come and go over two-billion-year intervals. They appear in about 30 percent of observed galaxies, including our Milky Way.
Image Description: Barred spiral galaxy NGC 5335 observed by the Hubble Space Telescope takes up the majority of the view. At its center is a milky yellow, flattened oval that extends bottom left to top. Within the oval is a bright central region that looks circular, with the very center the brightest. In the bright central region is what looks like a bar, extending from top left to bottom right. Around this is a thick swath of blue stars speckled with white regions. Multiple arms wrap up and around in a counterclockwise direction, becoming fainter the farther out they are. Both the white core and the spiral arms are intertwined with dark streaks of dust. The background of space is black. Thousands of distant galaxies in an array of colors are speckled throughout.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, N. Bartmann (ESA/Hubble)
Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 5335 in Virgo | Hubble Space Telescope
The Hubble Space Telescope captured in exquisite detail a face-on view of a remarkable-looking galaxy 225 million light-years away. NGC 5335 is categorized as a flocculent spiral galaxy with patchy streamers of star formation across its disk. There is a striking lack of well-defined spiral arms that are commonly found among galaxies, including our Milky Way. A notable bar structure slices across the center of the galaxy. The bar channels gas inwards toward the galactic center, fueling star formation. Such bars are dynamic in galaxies and may come and go over two-billion-year intervals. They appear in about 30 percent of observed galaxies, including our Milky Way.
Image Description: Barred spiral galaxy NGC 5335 observed by the Hubble Space Telescope takes up the majority of the view. At its center is a milky yellow, flattened oval that extends bottom left to top. Within the oval is a bright central region that looks circular, with the very center the brightest. In the bright central region is what looks like a bar, extending from top left to bottom right. Around this is a thick swath of blue stars speckled with white regions. Multiple arms wrap up and around in a counterclockwise direction, becoming fainter the farther out they are. Both the white core and the spiral arms are intertwined with dark streaks of dust. The background of space is black. Thousands of distant galaxies in an array of colors are speckled throughout.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI Release Date: April 23, 2025
After Docking, Shenzhou-20 & Shenzhou-19 Crews Meet | China Space Station
China's Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong Space Station on Thursday, April 24, 2025, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
The spacecraft made a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the radial port of the space station's core module Tianhe at 11:49 p.m. Beijing Time. The whole process took approximately 6.5 hours.
The six crew members then took group pictures for the sixth space get-together in China's aerospace history.
China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on April 24, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off at 17:17 (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's crewed space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.
Soyuz MS-26 Crew Departure & Dragon Cargo Arrival | International Space Station
The Soyuz crew ships that each brought three crew members to the International Space Station are pictured docked to the orbital outpost. In the foreground, is the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft docked to the Rassvet module moments before it undocked and returned to Earth with NASA astronaut Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner after 220 days in space. In the rear, is the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft docked to the Prichal module after it launched on April 8, 2025, with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky beginning an eight-month space research mission.
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft is pictured backing away from the International Space Station shortly after undocking from the Rassvet module.
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft is pictured backing away from the International Space Station shortly after undocking from the Rassvet module.
The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft, with its nosecone open, approaches the International Space Station for an automated docking to the Harmony module's space-facing port.
The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft, with its nosecone open, approaches the International Space Station for an automated docking to the Harmony module's space-facing port.
At 5:57 p.m. EDT, on Saturday April 19, 2025, the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft undocked from the orbiting laboratory’s Rassvet module with NASA astronaut Don Petitt and Roscosmos cosmonauts Aleksey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner of Russia.
At 8:40 a.m. EDT, April 22, 2025, the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft docked to the zenith, space-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module.
The spacecraft carried about 6,700 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo to the orbiting laboratory on SpaceX’s 32nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA. The mission launched at 4:15 a.m. April 21 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center Image Dates: April 19 & 22, 2025
Shenzhou-20 Astronauts: Arrival at Launch Site | China Space Station
The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceflight mission can be seen arriving at the launch site at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China after a send-off ceremony on April 24, 2025, ready to board the spaceship for a flight to the Tiangong Space Station.
The three astronauts, Chen Dong who is the commander of the crew, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, were escorted by a squad of motorcyclists to the launch site and warmly greeted by crowds of people on both sides along the route.
China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on April 24, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off at 17:17 (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
They will complete an in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-19 trio and stay at the Tiangong space station for approximately six months.
The Shenzhou-20 crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's manned space program and the fifth manned mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
Video Credit: CCTV Duration: 1 minute, 34 seconds Release Date: April 24, 2025
Hubble’s Highlights from its 35th Year in Orbit | NASA Goddard
The Hubble Space Telescope celebrated its 35th year in orbit by premiering four stunning new Hubble images.
From the planet Mars, to spectacular star forming regions, to a magnificent neighboring galaxy, these new images are the best birthday present anyone could ask for!
Even after all these years, Hubble continues to uncover the mysteries of the universe. These are a few science achievements from Hubble’s latest year in orbit.
Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Paul Morris: Lead Producer Video Credit: FU Orionis Disk Illustration from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory via Caltech/T. Pyle (IPAC)
Shenzhou-20 Crewed Mission: Long March Rocket Launch | China Space Station
China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft on April 24, 2025, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off at 17:17 (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
About 10 minutes after the launch, the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The crew members, consisting of mission commander Chen Dong and crew members Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, are in good condition while the launch has been declared a complete success, the CMSA announced.
Around 6.5 hours after the launch, the spacecraft will perform a fast, automated rendezvous and docking with the radial port of the space station core module Tianhe, forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft.
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's manned space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.
Video Credit: CCTV Duration: 2 minutes, 20 seconds Release Date: April 24, 2025
Shenzhou-20 Crew Commander Speaks on Mission Goals | China Space Station
Veteran Chinese astronaut and Shenzhou-20 crew commander Chen Dong, preparing for his third voyage to space, shared his unwavering passion for and pride in the nation's space program, as he shared with the media that each mission is irreplaceable—a blend of honor, responsibility and the thrill of pushing boundaries.
Chen also emphasized the profound significance of contributing to China's space ambitions. He expressed high expectations for this mission, saying he got more familiar and proficient with each voyage, that, he added, will better help him be able to fully support the team.
China's Shenzhou-20 astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, met the press on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The Shenzhou-20 crewed mission is currently scheduled for lift off at 5:17 p.m. Beijing Time on April 24—coinciding with China's Space Day in 2025.
The three astronauts will take over command of China's Tiangong Space Station from the Shenzhou-19 crew currently in orbit, and will spend about six months in space.
Chen Dong participated in the Shenzhou-11 and Shenzhou-14 space missions. He served as the commander of the Shenzhou-14 crew and will take on the mantle once again after a two-year interval. He will also become the first among China's second batch of astronauts to carry out three spaceflight missions.
Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie come from the third batch of astronauts and will embark on their first spaceflight mission. Before being selected, Chen Zhongrui was an air force pilot, while Wang Jie was an engineer at the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's crewed space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.
Credit: CGTN
Duration: 1 minute, 23 seconds Release Date: April 23, 2025
Shenzhou-20 Crew Photos & Profiles | China Space Station
Shenzhou-20 Crew: Chen Dong (Mission Commander), Chen Zhongrui (Mission Specialist) & Wang Jie (Mission Specialist)
Shenzhou-20 Mission Commander: Chen Dong
Shenzhou-20 Mission Specialist: Chen Zhongrui
Shenzhou-20 Mission Specialist: Wang Jie
China's Shenzhou-20 astronauts, Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, met the press on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
The three astronauts will take over command of China's Tiangong Space Station from the Shenzhou-19 crew currently in orbit, and will spend about six months in space.
Chen Dong participated in the Shenzhou-11 and Shenzhou-14 space missions. He served as the commander of the Shenzhou-14 crew and will take on the mantle once again after a two-year interval. He will also become the first among China's second batch of astronauts to carry out three spaceflight missions.
Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie come from the third batch of astronauts and will embark on their first spaceflight mission. Before being selected, Chen Zhongrui was an air force pilot, while Wang Jie was an engineer at the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Shenzhou-20 is the 35th flight mission of China's crewed space program, and the fifth crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station.
The crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China in late October this year.
Journey to Planetary Nebula NGC 2899 in Vela | Hubble
This video takes the viewer through space to reveal a new NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope image that captures the beauty of the moth-like planetary nebula NGC 2899. This object has a diagonal, bipolar, cylindrical outflow of gas. This is propelled by radiation and stellar winds from a nearly 22,000 degree Celsius white dwarf at the center. In fact, there may be two companion stars that are interacting and sculpting the nebula, which is pinched in the middle by a fragmented ring or torus—looking like a half-eaten donut. It has a forest of gaseous “pillars” that point back to the source of radiation and stellar winds. The colors are from glowing hydrogen and oxygen. The nebula lies approximately 4,500 light-years away in the southern constellation Vela.
Image Description: The planetary nebula NGC 2899 is shaped like a single macaroni noodle with its edges pointed up, but its edge-on central torus is semi-transparent in the middle. The top and bottom edges are thick and orange. The center is semi-transparent blue and green. The wider central region looks roughly like a moth, also filled with semi-transparent blue and green. There are two pinpoint-like white stars with diffraction spikes toward the center. Immediately below them, slightly toward the right, is a smaller blue orb, a central star. The next layer of gas and dust is whiter, with thicker pillars that look like they are rising up at bottom center. The color fades into reds and purples, and then to orange.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, N. Bartmann (ESA/Hubble)
Close-up: Planetary Nebula NGC 2899 in Vela | Hubble
This Hubble Space Telescope image captures the beauty of the moth-like planetary nebula NGC 2899. This object has a diagonal, bipolar, cylindrical outflow of gas. This is propelled by radiation and stellar winds from a nearly 22,000 degree Celsius white dwarf at the center. In fact, there may be two companion stars that are interacting and sculpting the nebula, which is pinched in the middle by a fragmented ring or torus—looking like a half-eaten donut. It has a forest of gaseous “pillars” that point back to the source of radiation and stellar winds. The colors are from glowing hydrogen and oxygen. The nebula lies approximately 4,500 light-years away in the southern constellation Vela.
Image Description: The planetary nebula NGC 2899 is shaped like a single macaroni noodle with its edges pointed up, but its edge-on central torus is semi-transparent in the middle. The top and bottom edges are thick and orange. The center is semi-transparent blue and green. The wider central region looks roughly like a moth, also filled with semi-transparent blue and green. There are two pinpoint-like white stars with diffraction spikes toward the center. Immediately below them, slightly toward the right, is a smaller blue orb, a central star. The next layer of gas and dust is whiter, with thicker pillars that look like they are rising up at bottom center. The color fades into reds and purples, and then to orange.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI, N. Bartmann (ESA/Hubble)
Planetary Nebula NGC 2899 in Vela | Hubble Space Telescope
This Hubble Space Telescope image captures the beauty of the moth-like planetary nebula NGC 2899. This object has a diagonal, bipolar, cylindrical outflow of gas. This is propelled by radiation and stellar winds from a nearly 22,000 degree Celsius white dwarf at the center. In fact, there may be two companion stars that are interacting and sculpting the nebula, which is pinched in the middle by a fragmented ring or torus—looking like a half-eaten donut. It has a forest of gaseous “pillars” that point back to the source of radiation and stellar winds. The colors are from glowing hydrogen and oxygen. The nebula lies approximately 4,500 light-years away in the southern constellation Vela.
Image Description: The planetary nebula NGC 2899 is shaped like a single macaroni noodle with its edges pointed up, but its edge-on central torus is semi-transparent in the middle. The top and bottom edges are thick and orange. The center is semi-transparent blue and green. The wider central region looks roughly like a moth, also filled with semi-transparent blue and green. There are two pinpoint-like white stars with diffraction spikes toward the center. Immediately below them, slightly toward the right, is a smaller blue orb, a central star. The next layer of gas and dust is whiter, with thicker pillars that look like they are rising up at bottom center. The color fades into reds and purples, and then to orange.
Credit: NASA, ESA, STScI Release Date: April 23, 2025
4 Brand New Hubble Images Released: Dr. Jennifer Wiseman | NASA Goddard
NASA is celebrating Hubble’s 35th birthday (1990-2025) with an assortment of breathtaking images recently taken by the space telescope!
Stretching from the planet Mars, to spectacular star forming regions, to a magnificent neighboring galaxy, Hubble never ceases to amaze with its views of the universe.
Sit back and relax as Hubble’s Senior Project Scientist, Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, takes you on a tour of all four of these incredible images.
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