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Orbital Night Life over Southeast Asia & Australia | International Space Station
Expedition 73 flight engineer and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim: "My first time-lapse. Thanks to some instruction and tips from Nichole Ayers, I caught my first aurora. After seeing the result, I told her this felt like fishing. Prepping the camera, the angle, the settings, the mount, then setting your timer and coming back to hope you got a catch. And after catching my first fish, I think I’m hooked. Thanks, Vapor! Beautiful auroras passing over southeastern Asia and Australia."
On Earth, auroras are mainly created by particles originally emitted by the Sun in the form of solar wind. When this stream of electrically charged particles gets close to our planet, it interacts with the magnetic field, which acts as a gigantic shield. While it protects Earth’s environment from solar wind particles, it can also trap a small fraction of them. Particles trapped within the magnetosphere—the region of space surrounding Earth in which charged particles are affected by its magnetic field—can be energized and then follow the magnetic field lines down to the magnetic poles. There, they interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper layers of the atmosphere, creating the flickering, colorful lights visible in the polar regions here on Earth.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim
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.
Central Mexico at Night with Airglow | International Space Station
The International Space Station was soaring 259 miles above central Mexico with a faint atmospheric glow crowning Earth's horizon at approximately 2:58 a.m. local time when this photograph was taken. The city lights of Mexico City, the nation's capital and largest city with a population of 9.21 million, and its surrounding suburbs dominate the nightscape.
You will also notice reddish 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.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim
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.
Aurora Australis at The South Pole | International Space Station
Expedition 73 flight engineer and NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers: "I love looking out the side window of the cupola on the International Space Station. This particular view is looking starboard toward Antarctica to catch the aurora—and look at the star movement! I’ve seen a lot of reds and greens in the aurora, but this one had some purple hues, as well. It’s just gorgeous."
On Earth, auroras are mainly created by particles originally emitted by the Sun in the form of solar wind. When this stream of electrically charged particles gets close to our planet, it interacts with the magnetic field, which acts as a gigantic shield. While it protects Earth’s environment from solar wind particles, it can also trap a small fraction of them. Particles trapped within the magnetosphere—the region of space surrounding Earth in which charged particles are affected by its magnetic field—can be energized and then follow the magnetic field lines down to the magnetic poles. There, they interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the upper layers of the atmosphere, creating the flickering, colorful lights visible in the polar regions here on Earth.
Earth auroras have different names depending on the pole where they occur. Aurora Borealis, or the northern lights, is the name given to auroras around the north pole and Aurora Australis, or the southern lights, is the name given for auroras around the south pole.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim
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.
Hungarian Students Connect with Shenzhou-20 Astronauts | China Space Station
More than 300 students, scientists, and government officials gathered Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for a special space science question and answer session with Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Dubbed the "Tiangong Classroom," the event was co-hosted by the China Manned Space Agency, the Chinese Embassy in Hungary, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in the Hungarian capital Budapest. It aimed to deepen growing cooperation between China and Hungary in the fields of aerospace, education, and innovation.
During the session, Shenzhou-20 crew members Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie responded to questions submitted in advance by students representing over 100 Hungarian schools, touching on a wide range of space science topics including the space station operation and the life in orbit.
Many Hungarian students were thrilled to see their questions answered directly by astronauts in space. In a pre-recorded video, the astronauts also demonstrated zero-gravity science experiments, captivating the audience with examples from space.
"My first question is how the absence of a natural day-night rhythm affects the health and daily life of astronauts. They said it had no impact, and it's not a big issue for them. This event is awesome. In my opinion, it exceeded the national standards. I think the overall experience was excellent," said 15-year-old student Bence Kovacs who focused on the circadian cycle in space. "The astronauts came to explain in person, which completely satisfied my curiosity. I got the answer to my question."
"I asked to what extent an astronaut's spinal column will grow in space when the compression on the intervertebral disc is relatively smaller than that on the earth, and their real feelings of this. I asked this question because I used to read an article in a contest about this. I'm very happy to be awarded and chosen to be involved in this event. I really can't wait to explore more. In the future, I definitely want to engage in astronomy work. I have been very interested in astronomy since I was a child. I have always loved it since then," said Sara Lovati, another student.
Kiss Áron Keve, the person in charge of Svábhegy Observatory in Hungary, one of the event organizers, highlighted the significance of the event. He said China's space industry has developed at an astonishing speed and is remarkable, adding that through this event, Hungarian students had the opportunity to personally participate in the space project, which was of great significance.
"I think apart from inspiring those students who raised specific questions, this activity itself is also of great significance. It provides each student with an excellent opportunity to think about how to participate in space projects and the aerospace industry. Even if they are not astronauts, they can contribute to this booming field from the perspective of researchers. I can see the future. It's very inspiring," he said.
The three-member crew aboard the Tiangong space station was sent into space on April 24 for a six-month mission.
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
Axiom 4 Crew Mission: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rollout | NASA's Kennedy Space Center
The Axiom Space Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew will travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket. The targeted docking time is approximately 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX have set the launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station for 8:22 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, June 10.
The Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of the European Space Agency (ESA)/Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary.
Once docked, the Ax-4 astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days onboard implementing a full mission comprised of microgravity research, technology demonstrations, educational outreach, and media events.
The Ax-4 Mission will “realize the return” to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation’s first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. While Ax-4 marks these countries' second human spaceflight mission in history, it will be the first time all three nations will execute a mission on board the International Space Station.
The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date, underscoring the mission's global significance and collaborative nature to advance microgravity research in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
The Pacific Coast of South America before Sunrise | International Space Station
The International Space Station was soaring 261 miles above the Pacific coast of South America into an orbital sunrise at approximately 4:09 a.m. local time when this photograph was taken. Lima (upper right), Peru's capital and largest city with a population of 10.1 million, represents the brightest lights on the Peruvian coast.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim
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.
Atlantic Ocean Storms: Lightning & Clouds | International Space Station
This nebula-like formation is actually lightning illuminating the clouds during a storm off the coast of North Carolina in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above the Atlantic Ocean.
Lightining illuminates the cloud tops during a storm underneath Earth's atmospheric glow in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim
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.
China Makes Progress in Power Generation & Storage for Mars Infrastructure
Chinese scientists have made progress in power generation and storage on Mars in terms of how to effectively use resources there to ensure the energy supply for conducting long-term research and stationing researchers on the planet in the future.
Experts have pointed out that in the future, leveraging gases on Mars for energy and resource utilization, including power generation, energy storage, heating, oxygen production, and fuel production, could enable the development of an integrated energy system utilizing the atmospheric environment of Mars.
For example, the average temperature on the surface of Mars is approximately minus 63 degrees Celsius. The waste heat from the low-temperature range of a power generation system could address the thermal energy supply at research stations on Mars.
Additionally, the mid-temperature and high-temperature ranges of Martian gases can respectively serve as reaction gases for methane production and high-temperature electrolysis for oxygen production. This process transforms the abundant carbon and oxygen atoms in Martian gases into valuable resources, such as oxygen and methane fuel essential for exploration missions.
"To conduct research on Mars, we need a multitude of detection equipment, and research stations to be set up. These research stations and detection equipment rely on energy as a fundamental guarantee. When considering setting up an energy system on Mars, we need to devise solutions in line with local conditions. This research marks a new starting point. It can be said that there is still a long way to go," said Shi Lingfeng, a researcher at the University of Science and Technology of China.
Video Credit: CCTV Duration: 2 minutes 34 seconds Release Date: June 7, 2025
SpaceX Starship Super Heavy Booster Static Fire: Pre-10th Flight | Starbase Texas
A Starship Super Heavy Booster completed a long duration six-engine static fire on June 6, 2025, and is undergoing final preparations for the tenth SpaceX Starship flight test.
SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket—collectively referred to as Starship—represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship is the world’s most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tonnes fully reusable and 250 metric tonnes expendable.
Key Starship Parameters:
Height: 123m/403ft Diameter: 9m/29.5ft Payload to LEO: 100–150t (fully reusable)
"Starship is essential to both SpaceX’s plans to deploy its next-generation Starship system as well as for NASA, which will use a lunar lander version of Starship for landing astronauts on the Moon during the Artemis III mission through the Human Landing System (HLS) program."
Earth Weather Satellites Monitor Canadian Wildfires & Smoke | NOAA
Since mid-May, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites have been closely monitoring heat signatures and thick plumes of smoke (several stretching thousands of miles) from wildfires burning across Canada.
Driven by heat, drought, and dry conditions, more than 160 fires kicked off the country’s wildfire season, primarily in Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. More blazes soon erupted in other provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The escalating situation forced thousands to evacuate, prompted states of emergency in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and has been impacting air quality in the United States as the smoke drifts southward.
¡Atención, exploradores del cielo! Este mes, la galaxia nos muestra todo su esplendor. 🔭
• Junio marca el inicio de la temporada principal para admirar la Vía Láctea: esa banda brumosa que se arquea por el cielo durante toda la noche. Solo necesitarás un cielo oscuro, lejos de las luces de la ciudad.
• A mediados de mes, Marte pasará muy cerca de Regulus, el corazón de la constelación de Leo. Con binoculares o telescopio, podrás verlos a una distancia tan corta como el ancho de la luna llena.
• Y el 20 de junio, llega el solsticio: el día más largo del año en el hemisferio norte, y el más corto en el sur.
NASA "Espacio A Tierra" | Una misión para inspirar: 30 de mayo 2025
Espacio a Tierra, la versión en español de las cápsulas Space to Ground de la NASA, te informa semanalmente de lo que está sucediendo en la Estación Espacial Internacional.
NASA's Space to Ground: Building a Sustainable Economy | Week of June 6, 2025
NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station. The Expedition 73 crew is preparing to welcome the arrival of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) and its four astronauts to the International Space Station next week. Ax-4 is targeted to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 8:22 a.m. EDT on June 10, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson will command Ax-4 and lead Indian Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uzanański-Wiśniewksi from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary to the orbital outpost. The Ax-4 astronauts will ride inside Dragon for an autonomous docking to the station’s space-facing port on the Harmony module at 12:30 p.m. on June 11.
NASA Flight Engineers: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Jonny Kim
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.
Japan's ispace Resilience Lunar Lander | Mission 2 Status Update
FriendsofNASA.org: As of 8:00 a.m. on June 6, 2025, Japan Standard Time (JST), mission controllers have determined that it is unlikely that communication with the lander will be restored and therefore completing Success 9 is not achievable. It has been decided to conclude the mission.
ispace engineers at the HAKUTO-R Mission Control Center in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, transmitted commands to execute the landing sequence at 3:13 a.m. on June 6, 2025. The RESILIENCE lander then began the descent phase. The lander descended from an altitude of approximately 100 km to approximately 20 km, and then successfully fired its main engine as planned to begin deceleration. While the lander’s attitude was confirmed to be nearly vertical, telemetry was lost thereafter, and no data indicating a successful landing was received, even after the scheduled landing time had passed.
Based on the currently available data, the Mission Control Center has been able to confirm the following: The laser rangefinder used to measure the distance to the lunar surface experienced delays in obtaining valid measurement values. As a result, the lander was unable to decelerate sufficiently to reach the required speed for the planned lunar landing. Based on these circumstances, it is currently assumed that the lander likely performed a hard landing on the lunar surface.
After communication with the lander was lost, a command was sent to reboot the lander, but communication was unable to be re-established.
“Given that there is currently no prospect of a successful lunar landing, our top priority is to swiftly analyze the telemetry data we have obtained thus far and work diligently to identify the cause,” said Takeshi Hakamada, Founder and CEO of ispace.
NASA's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request represents an agency-wide 32% workforce funding reduction overall based on the NASA supplied table provided here. According to The Washington Post, this "would reduce the civilian workforce at the agency by 32% to around 11,900 employees."
It is the smallest budget request for NASA since 1961, adjusted for inflation, according to The Planetary Society. NASA's total science budget has been cut by nearly 50% in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request.
Contact your representatives in the United States Congress, House and Senate, to express your concerns for NASA's future: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/
Summary of Fical Year 2026 Budget Request Year over Year (YoY) Cuts (2025 versus 2026)
Total NASA Workforce Budget 32% Cut
NASA Headquarters (HQ) 26% Cut
Ames Research Center (ARC)38% Cut
Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC)38% Cut
Glenn Research Center (GRC) 40% Cut
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)46% Cut
Johnson Space Center (JSC) 21% Cut
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 25% Cut
Langley Research Center (LaRC) 39% Cut
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 23% Cut
Stennis Space Center (SSC) 39% Cut
Office of Inspector General (OIG) 10% Cut
Worst affected: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Maryland is responsible for developing and operating spacecraft, instruments, and technology to study Earth, the Sun, our solar system, and the universe. Notable science missions managed by Goddard include NASA's Earth Observatories, the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and many space and planetary exploration programs.
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