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Dust orbiting the Sun. At certain times of the year, a band of sun-reflecting dust from the inner Solar System appears prominently just after sunset—or just before sunrise—and is called zodiacal light. Although the origin of this dust is still being researched, a leading hypothesis holds that zodiacal dust originates mostly from faint Jupiter-family comets and slowly spirals into the Sun. Recent analysis of dust emitted by Comet 67P, visited by the European Space Agency's robotic Rosetta spacecraft, bolsters this hypothesis. Pictured when climbing a road up to Teide National Park in the Canary Islands of Spain, a bright triangle of zodiacal light appeared in the distance soon after sunset. Captured on June 21, 2019, the scene includes bright Regulus, the alpha star of the constellation Leo, standing above center toward the left. The Beehive Star Cluster (M44) can be spotted below center, closer to the horizon and also immersed in the zodiacal glow.
Image Credit & Copyright: Ruslan Merzlyakov Ruslan's website:
Shenzhou-20 Crew Achieves Progress on Range of Tasks | China Space Station
The Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's Tiangong Space Station completed a variety of tasks last week, including unpacking new extravehicular spacesuits and advancing multiple scientific experiments and tests, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The astronaut trio—Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie—entered the Tiangong space station on April 25 this year. They have completed a series of duties in orbit since then.
Last week, the crew unpacked two new sets of extravehicular spacesuits transported by the Tianzhou-9 cargo craft, and conducted functional performance tests and maintenance.
The design lifespan of the two suits, designated D and E, has been significantly extended from 15 extravehicular activities (EVAs) within three years to 20 EVAs within four years.
Meanwhile, a series of on-orbit experiments progressed steadily.
In the field of space life science and biotechnology, the crew used organ-on-a-chip technology to study the effects of the space environment on the blood-brain barrier and brain function at cellular, tissue, and organ levels, while exploring the underlying mechanisms.
This research will help predict health risks and develop related interventions for astronauts during long-term space missions.
The crew completed several space medical experiments as well, such as investigating bone metabolism regulation and studying microbiota and nutritional metabolism.
Crew commander Chen Dong used Raman spectroscopy to analyze urinary metabolic components, providing important data to support ground researchers in refining the assessment system for space metabolic indicators.
The three astronauts also conducted research on the impact of respiratory microorganisms on the respiratory system in the space environment by collecting throat swab samples.
In terms of new technology and applications, the crew conducted microbial control experiments in the extraterrestrial habitat. They used bacterial detection plates to compare microbial levels on the selected module before and after disinfection, thus evaluating the effectiveness of the disinfection process.
The trio also installed the experimental setup for the material-energy conversion and regeneration system. Through comparative space-ground experiments, the research team will verify the wastewater purification and energy recovery performance of microbial fuel cells in space.
In the field of microgravity physical science, the crew completed combustion experiments, which included replacing the burner within the experimental module.
During the trial operation of the on-orbit mixed reality (MR) training device, the astronauts wore portable MR glasses and achieved seamless interaction with the MR system through simple voice or gesture commands.
Furthermore, the crew completed the installation and testing of a -80 degrees Celsius space refrigerator in the Wentian lab module, and carried out the replacement of the core module's sleeping compartment door.
Additionally, the trio conducted comprehensive health monitoring, including bone density and muscle volume measurements, maximal isometric strength testing, and audiometric examinations, while actively performing exercises to cope with weightlessness.
Shenzhou-20 Crew
Chen Dong (陈冬) - Commander - Third spaceflight
Chen Zhong Rui (陈中瑞) - Operator - First spaceflight
Wang Jie (王杰) - Flight Engineer - First spaceflight
Video Credit: CCTV Duration: 3 minutes Release Date: Aug. 10, 2025
NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Dragon Spacecraft Recovery Off California Coast
Support teams work around the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia aboard in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
Support teams raise the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft aboard the recovery ship Shannon shortly after it landed.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance spacecraft is seen as it lands.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Emblem
At 11:33 a.m. EDT, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California. This completes a stay in space of 148 days for the four-person crew. After egressing the spacecraft, the crew received medical checks before being flown via helicopter to meet up with a NASA aircraft bound for Houston.
NASA Flight Engineers: Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Exit Dragon Spacecraft Off the California Coast
Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia, left, NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi are seen inside the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery Shannon shortly after having landed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. McClain, Ayers, Onishi, and Peskov are returning after seven-months in space as part of Expedition 73 aboard the International Space Station.
NASA astronaut Anne McClain is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers helped out of the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon
Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Shannon
At 11:33 a.m. EDT, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California. This completes a stay in space of 148 days for the four-person crew. After egressing the spacecraft, the crew received medical checks before being flown via helicopter to meet up with a NASA aircraft bound for Houston.
NASA Flight Engineers: Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
Former Expedition 71/72 flight engineer and NASA astronaut Don Pettit: "Sit back and enjoy this smooth ISS pass between green and red auroras, and the stars of deep space."
"This video was taken by my crewmate Butch Wilmore on Expedition 72. His extended stay gave us lots of time to collaborate on photography!"
On August 6, 2025, it was announced that after 25 years at NASA, flying in four types of spacecraft, accumulating 464 days in space, astronaut, and test pilot Butch Wilmore has retired from NASA.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit returned to Earth on April 19, 2025, concluding a seven-month science mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 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.
NASA Flight Engineers: Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Dragon: Parachutes Deploy | International Space Station
Watch this close-up view showing the deployment of the Crew-10 Dragon spacecraft's four main parachutes prior to a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean . . .
Update: At 11:33 a.m. EDT, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California. This completes a stay in space of 148 days for the four-person crew. After egressing the spacecraft, the crew will receive medical checks before being flown via helicopter to meet up with a NASA aircraft bound for Houston.
NASA Flight Engineers: Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Dragon Splashdown | International Space Station
Update: At 11:33 a.m. EDT, on Saturday, August 9, 2025, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California. This completes a stay in space of 148 days for the four-person crew. After egressing the spacecraft, the crew will receive medical checks before being flown via helicopter to meet up with a NASA aircraft bound for Houston.
Expedition 73 Crew Station Commander: Sergey Ryzhikov (Roscosmos) JAXA Flight Engineer (Japan): Kimiya Yui Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Alexey Zubritskiy, Oleg Platonov NASA Flight Engineers: Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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: 50 seconds Date: Aug. 9, 2025
New Expedition 73 Crew Photos | International Space Station
Eleven International Space Station crew members gather inside the International Space Station's Unity module for a portrait. In the front row, from left are, Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Zena Cardman of NASA, Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos (Russia), and Mike Fincke of NASA. In the second row are, Nichole Ayers of NASA, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos (Russia), and Anne McClain of NASA. In the back are, Takuya Onishi of JAXA, Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos (Russia), Jonny Kim of NASA, and Alexey Zubritsky of Roscosmos (Russia).
Change of Command ceremony aboard the International Space Station. JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi
handed control over to Russian cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov on Aug. 5, 2025.
From left, NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 members Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos (Russia), NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi pose for a group portrait inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.
Six of seven Expedition 73 crew members pose for a portrait during dinnertime at the galley inside the International Space Station's Unity module. Clockwise from bottom are, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, plus Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Kirill Peskov, and Alexey Zubritsky—all of Russia.
NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Anne McClain poses for a portrait inside the cupola, the International Space Station's "window to the world," as the orbital outpost soared 259 miles above the Atlantic Ocean west of the African island nation of Cabo Verde.
Update: NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia, are preparing to splash down off the coast of California, aboard their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Saturday, August 9, 2025.
Splashdown remains on schedule for approximately 11:33 a.m. Weather conditions remain within the splashdown weather criteria and are “go” at the primary targeted site off the coast of San Diego, California. The Crew-10 mission will be the first crewed flight to splashdown off the coast of California as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
Crew-10 Commander Anne McClain: "Farewell to the International Space Station"
Expedition 73 flight engineer, NASA astronaut and Crew-10 Commander Anne McClain: "This is truly a special place, special mission, and special team that makes it happen. It is a bittersweet departure today—I have a keen awareness that I may never be back here, and even if I was, it would be at a different time with a different crew. This chapter is over. Spaceflight has always been a life goal, and it has turned into a life-fulfilling endeavor—but not for the reasons I thought growing up. When I was young, I pictured the launch, the incredible ball of fire and the acceleration, the spacewalks (how could you not wonder what it’s like to be in that suit?), and I was fascinated by the shuttles, capsules, and stations. But as I complete this second mission living and working in space, what draws me to this job is the people. Experiences like this are amazing, but the relationships we build that make it possible are the 'why.'"
"Every day, this mission depends on people from all over the world, of different nationalities, races, religions, and cultures. It depends on government and commercial entities, it depends on all political parties, and it depends on commitment to an unchanged goal over many years and decades. It depends on people dedicated to being part of something bigger than themselves, whose names may never be known but who wake up every day to make the world a better place and to be part of something they will be proud to tell their grandkids about. History will look kindly upon them."
"Humans have always had a propensity to explore … across lands and oceans, up mountains, and into the sky. We as a species will never stop wondering what else is out there, and what it would be like to go. But then, in the words of TS Elliot": “…at the end of all our exploring, will be to arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time.”
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
"We are saddened by the passing of Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell at the age of 97."
"Jim Lovell was a veteran of the Gemini VII and Gemini XII missions before becoming command module pilot and navigator for Apollo 8, the first crewed spacecraft to be lifted into near-Earth orbit by the Saturn V launch vehicle. He became the first man to orbit the Moon on two separate missions when he served as the commander of Apollo 13."
"Unfortunately, the mission to explore the Fra Mauro region of the Moon did not go as planned. What many viewed as a 'routine' mission soon had millions around the globe glued to television sets watching and hoping for a positive outcome to one of the most intense episodes in the history of space exploration."
Credit: NASA Duration: 3 minutes Release Date: Aug. 8, 2025
NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 Dragon Spacecraft Undocking | International Space Station
At 6:15 p.m. EDT on Friday, August 8, 2025, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia undocked from the forward-facing port of International Space Station’s Harmony module aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke
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.
Earth Views from Cupola | ESA Ignis Mission | International Space Station
This beautiful view of Earth was captured by the European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski during the Ignis Mission at the International Space Station.
The Cupola is a panoramic control tower for the International Space Station, a dome-shaped module with windows through which operations on the outside of the station can be observed and guided. It is a pressurized observation and work area that accommodates command and control workstations and other hardware. Through the robotics workstation, astronauts control the station’s robotic arm. This helps with the attachment and assembly of station elements much like the operator of a building crane perched in a control cabin. Crew members in the Cupola can communicate with other crew members in another part of the station or outside during spacewalk activities. Spacewalks can be observed from the Cupola along with visiting spacecraft and external areas of the station with the Cupola offering a viewing spectrum of 360 degrees.
Sławosz was launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of Axiom Mission 4 on June 25, 2025. The 20-day mission, known as Ignis, saw him conduct 13 experiments proposed by Polish companies and institutions in collaboration with ESA, along with three additional ESA-led experiments. These covered a broad range of fields including human research, materials science, biology, biotechnology and technology demonstrations.
Axiom Mission 4 marks the second commercial human spaceflight involving an ESA project astronaut. Ignis was sponsored by the Polish government and supported by ESA, the Polish Ministry of Economic Development and Technology (MRiT), and the Polish Space Agency (POLSA).
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.
Credit: European Space Agency (ESA) Duration: 1 minute, 33 seconds Release Date: July 29, 2025
China’s Lanyue lunar lander has successfully completed a comprehensive landing and takeoff verification test at its landing test site in Huailai County, north China's Hebei province. This marks a significant breakthrough in the country's crewed lunar exploration program.
The lunar lander is a newly developed crewed descent and ascent vehicle designed for China's first manned lunar exploration mission with plans to conduct a crewed lunar landing before 2030. It is primarily used for transporting astronauts between lunar orbit and the lunar surface, capable of carrying two astronauts back and forth. It can also carry a lunar rover and scientific payloads, supporting astronauts’ stay and activities on the Moon.
During the test, the engine was ignited, simulating the landing of the lunar lander on the Moon and its subsequent takeoff. The test validated the lander's landing and takeoff system, control plan, lunar contact shutdown procedures, and the compatibility of interfaces between subsystems, including Guidance, Navigation, Control (GNC) and propulsion.
The test marks China's first landing and takeoff experiment for a crewed spacecraft. It is a milestone in the initial sample development of the lunar lander and a key point in the country's crewed lunar exploration program.
With complex test conditions, a long duration, and high technical difficulty, the test covers the performance verification of the lunar lander under a range of scenarios throughout the landing and takeoff process.
"For instance, during the launch phase, we need to verify its launch payload. So we conducted large-scale mechanical tests to ensure a smooth transition in the extremely complex environment during the launch. The lander will also orbit the Moon for a long period, so we performed many thermal tests to ensure that it can withstand the thermal environment of the cislunar space," said Huang Zhen from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Video Credit: CCTV Duration: 1 minute, 38 seconds Release Date: Aug. 8, 2025
The Blue Horsehead Nebula (IC 4592) is a reflection nebula in the Scorpius constellation that is lit by the neighboring Nu Scorpii star system. It is located about 400 light years away within the Milky Way galaxy.
IC 4592 is a rarely photographed. The blue light comes from fine dust reflecting the light of nearby stars. In this case, much of the reflected light comes from the star at the eye of the horse called "Nu Scorpii". A second reflection nebula surrounding two stars is also visible to the right of the image, called IC 4601.
Rocket Lab Tests Archimedes Engine for Neutron Rocket: Full Duration Hot Fire
🔥Enjoy! Rocket Lab recently performed hot-fire tests of its Archimedes engine through its rocket test stand at NASA’s historic Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Rocket Lab’s new Neutron medium-lift reusable launch vehicle will use Archimedes engines to provide government and commercial customers with an alternative launch service capable of deploying 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO). Significant progress continues to be made at the rocket’s launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia. Production, infrastructure scaling, and Archimedes engine and full-scale components testing is continuing across Rocket Lab’s production and test facilities in the United States. Neutron’s debut remains on track for first launch in the second half of 2025.
The advanced design of the Neutron rocket includes carbon composite for all of the rocket’s major structures and an upper stage that enables high-performance for complex satellite deployments, including the deployment of satellite mega-constellations.
The Archimedes engine is an oxidizer rich staged combustion cycle engine that will power the reusable first stage of Neutron and the new rocket’s second stage that is designed to carry up to 13,000 kilograms of payload to space. Capable of producing up to 165,000 (733 kilonewtons) pounds of thrust per engine, Archimedes operates at lower stress levels than other rocket engines to enable rapid and reliable reusability. The combined thrust of nine Archimedes engines for Neutron’s first stage is designed to reach 1,450,000 lbf total. Archimedes uses a cryogenic propellant mix of liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to enable higher reusability and performance. Furthermore, many of its critical components are 3D printed including Archimedes’ turbo pump housings, pre-burner and main chamber components, valve housings, and engine structural components. Production of the Archimedes engines takes place at Rocket Lab’s Engine Development Complex at its headquarters in Long Beach, California.
Rocket Lab's new Neutron rocket will feature the new Archimedes Engine.
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