Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station
Station Commander: Sergey-Kud Sverchkov (Russia)
Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Andrey Fedyaev, Sergei Mikaev
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Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station
Cygnus XL Cargo Spacecraft Launch on Falcon 9 | International Space Station
International Day of Human Space Flight | United Nations
65 years ago, history was made when the first human space flight took place. April 12, 1961, was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
The General Assembly expressed its deep conviction of the common interest of humanity in promoting and expanding the exploration and use of outer space, as the province of all human beings, for peaceful purposes and in continuing efforts to extend to all States the benefits derived there from.
Earthset Views from Orion Spacecraft | NASA Artemis II Moon Mission
Echoing the iconic Earthrise photo captured by the Apollo 8 astronauts in 1968, during the lunar flyby, the Artemis II crew captured a shot of Earthset as they passed behind the Moon’s far side. It is one of many photos taken during the seven-hour lunar flyby by the Artemis II crew on the Orion spacecraft.Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce.
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
"NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Completed"
During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach.
Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
NASA Artemis II Orion Spacecraft Splashdown: Post-Lunar Flyby Mission
The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century.
During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach.
Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
Artemis II Astronauts Welcomed in Houston | NASA Johnson
The Artemis II Crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—are welcomed home to Houston on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by NASA leadership and members of the astronaut corps. Among those greeting them are NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and NASA's Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche.
The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century.
During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach.
Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
Shenzhou-21 Crew Conducts Space Experiments | China Space Station
Last week, the crew used a space Raman spectrometer to analyze metabolic components in urine samples. This will aid in refining and improving indicators and criteria for astronauts' metabolite. The astronauts also collected and froze saliva samples to assist underground researchers in studies on gut microbiota and gastrointestinal function.
In line with their experimental plans involving bone metabolism, circadian rhythms and sleep, the crew collected blood samples, processed them using a centrifuge, and stored them for analysis. They also conducted multiple tests on metacognitive monitoring, emergency decision-making assessments, and evaluations of their emotional states using a laptop and related apps.
The team carried out planned experiments in microgravity physical sciences, and replaced samples in the fluid physics experimental cabinet, and burners and gas cylinders in the combustion cabinet as well. They also cleaned the containerless experimental chamber and maintained electrode mechanisms.
In addition, the astronauts checked and maintained low-temperature storage devices, application fluid loop pumps, and other facilities as scheduled, while organizing supplies within the cabin.
Meanwhile, the astronauts continued their health management by using a space treadmill and resistance bands for on-orbit exercise, actively countering the physiological effects of weightlessness.
The Shenzhou-21 crewed spacecraft blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on October 31, 2025, sending the three astronauts to the orbiting space station on a six-month mission.
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: 2 minutes
Release Date: April 12, 2026
Russian Federation Celebrates Yuri Gagarin—First Human in Space: April 12, 1961
This year marks the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic spaceflight. In the Russian Federation, April 12, the International Day of Human Spaceflight, is celebrated as Cosmonautics Day.
"In 1961, Yuri Gagarin made the impossible possible. First human to break Earth’s gravity."
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin (March 9, 1934 – March 27, 1968) was a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut that became the first person to journey into outer space aboard the first successful crewed spaceflight. Travelling on Vostok 1, Gagarin completed one orbit of Earth on April 12, 1961, with his flight taking 108 minutes. By achieving this major milestone for the Soviet Union amidst the Space Race, he was awarded many medals and titles, including his country's highest distinction—Hero of the Soviet Union.
Artemis II Astronauts Return to Houston & Reunite with Families | NASA Johnson
The first crewed test flight of NASA’s Artemis program lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT April 1, 2026, carrying the first astronauts to travel to the Moon in more than half a century.
During their nearly 10-day mission, the crew completed a record-setting lunar flyby, taking them 252,756 miles at their farthest distance from Earth and 4,067 miles above the lunar surface at their closest approach.
Artemis II splashed down at 8:07 p.m. April 10 in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Following splashdown and recovery, the four crew members underwent post-mission medical evaluations before returning to shore and boarding an aircraft bound for Houston. Upon arrival, the crew was welcomed by and reunited with their families, friends, and agency workforce. The crew now will begin their postflight reconditioning, medical and human performance evaluations, and lunar science debriefs.
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
NASA Artemis II Astronaut & Pilot Victor Glover Talks about "Gratitude"
"We are fortunate to be in this agency at this time together."
After their historic journey around the Moon, the Artemis II astronauts have come home. They arrived in Houston, Texas, home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
NASA Artemis II Astronaut Christina Koch Talks about Planet Earth as a "Crew"
"Planet Earth: You are a crew."
Artemis II mission specialist and NASA astronaut Christina Koch reflects on what it means to be a "crew."
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
NASA Artemis II Flight Day 10 Highlights | Johnson Space Center
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Talks about Artemis II Crew Unity
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
NASA Artemis II Astronauts Arrive in Houston, Texas | Johnson Space Center
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
Orion Spacecraft & Crew Return Home: NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Concludes
Lockheed Martin Space: "From liftoff to lunar flyby to splashdown, Artemis II marks a defining step in humanity’s return to deep space. Built by our engineers, NASA’s Orion spacecraft carried astronauts around the Moon and safely back to Earth, proving the systems that will enable future missions and a sustained presence beyond our planet."
"This mission tested the technologies and life support systems required to go farther than ever before. And it delivered."
Learn more about NASA's Artemis II Mission:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/