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NASA Artemis II Orion Spacecraft: Moon Rocket Integration Prep | NASA Kennedy
NASA engineers and technicians pose for a photograph in front of the agency’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility (MPPF) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Orion arrived at the MPPF in early May for fueling and processing and will next head to the spaceport’s Launch Abort System Facility (LASF) to be integrated with its 44-foot-tall launch abort system. Once integration is complete, the stack will be transported to High Bay 3 inside NASA Kennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building and integrated with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that will launch NASA’s Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen around the Moon and back.
The Artemis II crew will be sent on a ten-day Moon journey no earlier than April 2026.
Check the NASA Artemis II Mission page for updates:
Galaxy NGC 45 in Cetus: "Low brightness, High interest" | Hubble
This NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope picture zooms in on the feathery spiral arms of the galaxy NGC 45. It lies just 22 million light-years away in the constellation Cetus (The Whale).
The data used to create this portrait were drawn from two complementary observing programs. The first took a broad view of 50 nearby galaxies, leveraging Hubble’s ability to observe light from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared in order to study star formation in these galaxies. The second program examined many of the same nearby galaxies as the first, narrowing in on a particular wavelength of red light called H-alpha. Star-forming nebulae are powerful producers of H-alpha light, and several of these regions can be identified across NGC 45 by their bright pink-red color.
These observing programs aimed to study star formation in galaxies of various sizes, structures, and degrees of isolation. NGC 45 is a particularly interesting target. Alhough it may appear to be a regular spiral galaxy, NGC 45 is actually a remarkable type called a low surface brightness galaxy.
Low surface brightness galaxies are fainter than the night sky itself, making them incredibly difficult to detect. They appear unexpectedly faint because they have relatively few stars for the amount of gas and dark matter they carry. In the decades since the first low surface brightness galaxy was serendipitously discovered in 1986, researchers have learned that 30–60% of all galaxies may fall into this category. Studying these hard-to-detect galaxies is key to understanding how galaxies form and evolve, and Hubble’s sensitive instruments are equal to the task.
Image Description: This Hubble image features a close-up view of the outer arms of the spiral galaxy NGC 45. These spiral arms are filled with tiny blue dots—stars—and glowing pink clouds—star-forming nebulae. This is shown against a dark background.
Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, D. Calzetti, R. Chandar Acknowledgement: M. H. Özsaraç Release Date: Aug. 11, 2025
"Catch a Falling Meteor" | International Space Station
Expedition 73 flight engineer and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui: "Today, please enjoy watching a shooting star falling to the ground under the gaze of Aldebaran and the Pleiades . . . I hope everyone’s wishes come true!" —Kimiya Yui 油井 亀美也
A meteor, also known as a shooting star or falling star, is a visible passage of a glowing meteoroid, micrometeoroid, comet or asteroid through Earth's atmosphere. The meteoroid is heated to incandescence by collisions with air molecules in the upper atmosphere, creating a streak of light via its rapid motion and sometimes also by shedding glowing material in its wake. The short-lived trail of light the burning meteoroid produces is called a meteor. Shooting stars are not actually stars, but meteoroids consisting of small rocks and dust that sometimes enter the Earth's atmosphere.
"Catch a Falling Star" is a song written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. It was made famous by Perry Como. He recorded and released his version in late 1957.
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.
Welcome Home: Japanese Astronaut Takuya Onishi Readapting to Earth Gravity
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, former Crew-10 member and commander of Expedition 73 at the International Space Station: "About 10 hours after returning, I was able to walk this much, but I’m desperately trying to keep my balance. Everyone living in such a harsh environment, you’re truly amazing. I feel like just “being” in this world consumes so much energy. 😅 I get tired and sleepy after a little activity, so I feel like a baby."
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 completed a stay in space of 148 days for the four-person crew. After egressing the spacecraft, the crew received medical checks. They were then 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.
View of Zodiacal Light in The Canary Islands (AI Narration)
What's that strange light down the road?
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:
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
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