Planet Mars Images: May 20-23, 2026 | NASA's Perseverance Rover
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Monday, May 25, 2026
Planet Mars Images: May 20-23, 2026 | NASA's Perseverance Rover
A Galaxy in Transition: NGC 1266 in Eridanus | Hubble Space Telescope
A Galaxy in Transition: NGC 1266 in Eridanus | Hubble Space Telescope
This Hubble Space Telescope image is of a bright lenticular galaxy NGC 1266 seen nearly face on. Broad bright and dimmer areas of light hint at spiral structure, but there are no distinct spiral arms. Reddish-brown clumps and filaments of dust partially obscure the galaxy’s full face, while red, blue, and orange light from distant galaxies shines through its diffuse outer regions and dots the inky-black background.
NGC 1266 is a lenticular galaxy located about 100 million light-years away in the constellation Eridanus (the Celestial River). Astronomers classify lenticulars as transitional galaxies that represent an evolutionary bridge between spirals and ellipticals. Lenticulars are “lens-shaped” and have a bright central bulge and flattened disk like spirals, but they have no spiral arms and little to no star formation like ellipticals.
As interesting as this galaxy’s structure and lenticular classification are, those traits are not its most intriguing features. NGC 1266 is a rare post-starburst galaxy that is in transition between a galaxy that experienced a major burst of star formation and a quieter elliptical galaxy. Post-starburst galaxies have a young population of stars but few star-forming regions. Roughly one percent of the local galaxy population is a post-starburst galaxy.
Astronomers think that NGC 1266 had a minor merger with another galaxy around 500 million years ago. The merger spurred the formation of new stars and increased the mass of the galaxy's central bulge while funneling gas into its supermassive black hole. The additional matter made the black hole much more active, creating an active galactic nucleus or AGN. The black hole’s increased activity would have generated powerful winds and jets of gas along its axis of rotation. Over time, the burst of new stars and the black hole’s powerful jets would deplete the galaxy’s reservoir of star-forming gas, while the turbulence generated in these processes suppressed new stars from forming in the gas that remained.
Observations by Hubble and other observatories reveal a strong outflow of gas from the galaxy and that the space between its stars is shocked or highly disturbed. Researchers found that any remaining stellar nurseries are in the core of the galaxy, and that very little to no star formation happens beyond that core. These observations suggest the supermassive black hole in the galaxy’s heart may be suppressing star birth by stripping or ejecting star-forming gas from the galaxy. The shockwaves from this process would create turbulence that disturbs the gas and dust between stars enough to stop any remaining matter from gravitationally condensing into infant stars.
Post-starburst galaxies like NGC 1266 are ideal subjects for astronomers to study the complex physical processes that suppress star formation. They help us better understand the evolution of galaxies and how supermassive black holes interact with their hosts.
Image Processing: G. Kober (NASA/Catholic University of America)
Text Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Rocket Launch of Shenzhou-23 Crew Spacecraft: Multiple views | China Space Station
Rocket Launch of Shenzhou-23 Crew Spacecraft: Multiple views | China Space Station
China successfully launched the Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft on Sunday night, May 24, 2026, to send three astronauts to its orbiting space station, with newly released footage from China Media Group (CMG) showcasing the ascent from multiple perspectives.
The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).
The crew members consist of mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, and fellow astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Jiaying.
Li Jiaying, also known as Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, is the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
In another notable first, one of the trio is set to stay at the Tiangong Space Station for a year, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft successfully docked with the radial port of Tiangong's core module Tianhe, forming a combination of three modules and three spacecraft.
Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight mission of China's crewed space program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Duration: 1 minute, 43 seconds
Release Date: May 25, 2026
#NASA #Space #Science #China #中国 #JSLC #LongMarch2FRocket #Shenzhou23Mission #神舟二十三号 #Shenzhou23 #Taikonauts #Astronauts #ZhuYangzhu #ZhangZhiyuan #LiJiaying #LaiKaying #ChinaSpaceStation #中国空间站 #TiangongSpaceStation #CNSA #国家航天局 #HumanSpaceflight #STEM #Education #HD #Video
Arriving Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Welcomed Aboard | China Space Station
Arriving Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Welcomed Aboard | China Space Station
The three astronauts aboard China's Shenzhou-23 spacecraft entered the country's Tiangong Space Station and met with their astronaut colleagues early Monday morning, as they now begin an in-orbit crew handover.
Mission commander Zhu Yangzhu and fellow astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying successfully entered the station's core module Tianhe after the spacecraft made a fast automated rendezvous and docked with the Tianhe module at 02:45 (Beijing Time) on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Li Jiaying, also known as Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, is the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
The three Shenzhou-21 crew members opened the hatch at 05:13 (Beijing Time) and greeted the new arrivals, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The six astronauts then took group pictures for the eighth in-orbit get-together in China's aerospace history.
Notably, one of the Shenzhou-23 crew members is set to undertake a year-long stay aboard the space station, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
The Shenzhou-23 spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China at 23:08 (Beijing Time) on Sunday.
Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Duration: 1 minute
Date: May 25, 2026
Shenzhou-23 Crew Spacecraft Docking | China Space Station
Shenzhou-23 Crew Spacecraft Docking | China Space Station
China's Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully docked with the Tiangong Space Station on the early morning of May 25, 2026, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT) on Sunday.
About ten minutes after the launch, the spacecraft separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit.
The Shenzhou-23 spacecraft later successfully docked with the radial port of the Tianhe core module of the Tiangong Space Station at 02:45, with the docking process taking about 3.5 hours.
The Shenzhou-23 crew consists of commander Zhu Yangzhu and fellow astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, also known as Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese.
They later entered the Tianhe core module of the space station to assume duties from the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-21 mission that are already aboard the space station.
Notably, one of the Shenzhou-23 crew members is set to undertake a year-long stay aboard the space station, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Sunday, May 24, 2026
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13: Dragon Training in California | International Space Station
NASA's SpaceX Crew-13: Dragon Training in California | International Space Station
NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will serve as spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively. They will be joined by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov of Russia that will serve as mission specialists. After arriving at the orbiting laboratory, Crew-13 will become members of the space station’s Expedition 75.
This flight is the 13th crew rotation with SpaceX to the space station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP). NASA is advancing the launch date of Crew-13 from November to help increase the frequency of U.S. crew rotation missions to the space station. The crew will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare humans for future exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, and benefit people on Earth.
This will be the second flight to the space station for Watkins. She will be the first NASA astronaut to launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft twice.
This is the first spaceflight for Delaney, Kutryk, and Teteryatnikov.
For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The space station helps NASA understand and overcome the challenges of human spaceflight, expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit, and build on the foundation for long-duration missions to the Moon, as part of the Artemis program, and to Mars.
https://www.nasa.gov/station
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.
Image Credit: SpaceX
Image Date: April 30, 2026
Liftoff: Shenzhou-23 Crewed Spacecraft on Long March Rocket | China Space Station
Liftoff: Shenzhou-23 Crewed Spacecraft on Long March Rocket | China Space Station
China's Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in the country's northwest on May 24, 2026, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station.
The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, lifted off from the launch site at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).
The crew members consist of mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, and fellow astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
In another notable first, one of the crew members is set to undertake a year-long stay aboard the space station, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-23 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-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Shenzhou-23 Crew Photos Pre-launch | China Space Station
Shenzhou-23 Crew Photos Pre-launch | China Space Station
Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Li Jiaying will carry out the mission, with Zhu as commander. Li Jiaying, also known as Lai Ka-ying in Cantonese, is the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
China's Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).
In another notable first, one of the crew members is set to undertake a year-long stay aboard the space station, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-23 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-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Date: May 24, 2026
SpaceX Starship Version 3 Liftoff: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas
SpaceX Starship Version 3 Liftoff: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas
This was the first flight of the "next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, powered by the next evolution of the Raptor engine."
Read more about the key upgrades designed to enhance performance and unlock Starship's full capabilities here: https://www.spacex.com/updates/starship-v3
NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship to deliver astronauts and cargo to the Moon during the Artemis IV mission and beyond through the Human Landing System (HLS) Program.
Shenzhou-23 Crewed Spacecraft Launch | China Space Station
Shenzhou-23 Crewed Spacecraft Launch | China Space Station
China's Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country's northwest on May 24, 2026, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station.
The spacecraft, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, lifted off from the launch site at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).
The crew members consist of mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, and fellow astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
In another notable first, one of the crew members is set to undertake a year-long stay aboard the space station, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
After entering orbit, the Shenzhou-23 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-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Board Spacecraft Pre-launch | China Space Station
Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Board Spacecraft Pre-launch | China Space Station
The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission can be seen boarding their spacecraft for a flight to China’s Tiangong Space Station.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT) from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) on May 24, 2026.
The three Chinese astronauts, commander Zhu Yangzhu, spacecraft pilot Zhang Zhiyuan and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, climbed aboard the spacecraft with the help of technicians.
Following the launch, the astronauts will complete an in-orbit rotation with the outgoing Shenzhou-21 crew, and one of them will conduct a one-year in-orbit stay, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
Notably, astronaut Lai Ka-ying is also the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program, and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (second spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Duration: 3 minutes, 29 seconds
Date: May 24, 2026
Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Arrive at Launch Site | China Space Station
Shenzhou-23 Astronauts Arrive at Launch Site | China Space Station
The three astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission arrived at the launch site at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China after a send-off ceremony on Sunday, March 24, 2026, ready to board their spacecraft for a flight to the Tiangong Space Station.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft successfully blasted off at 23:08 Beijing Time (15:08 GMT).
The three crew members—commander Zhu Yangzhu, spacecraft pilot Zhang Zhiyuan and payload specialist Lai Ka-ying—were escorted by a squad of motorcycles to the launch site and warmly greeted by crowds of people on both sides along the route.
They will take over command of China's Tiangong Space Station from the Shenzhou-21 crew currently in orbit, and one of them will conduct a one-year in-orbit stay, double the usual duration of previous Shenzhou missions.
Notably, astronaut Lai Ka-ying is also the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Shenzhou-23 marks the 40th flight of China's crewed spaceflight program, and the seventh crewed flight mission since the Tiangong Space Station entered its application and development phase in late 2022.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Duration: 3 minutes
Date: May 24, 2026
Send-off Ceremony for Shenzhou-23 Astronauts | China Space Station
Send-off Ceremony for Shenzhou-23 Astronauts | China Space Station
China held a send-off ceremony for the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 crewed space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (JSLC) in northwest China on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Li Jiaying will carry out the mission, with Zhu as the commander. Their launch is scheduled for 23:08 Beijing Time on Sunday. One of the Shenzhou 23 crew is expected to work and live in China's Tiangong Space Station for a year.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Duration: 4 minutes
Date: May 24, 2026
SpaceX Starship Version 3 Landing & Launch Views: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas
SpaceX Starship Version 3 Landing & Launch Views: 12th Flight Test | Starbase Texas
This was the first flight of the "next generation Starship and Super Heavy vehicles, powered by the next evolution of the Raptor engine."
Read more about the key upgrades designed to enhance performance and unlock Starship's full capabilities here: https://www.spacex.com/updates/starship-v3
NASA plans to use a lunar lander version of Starship to deliver astronauts and cargo to the Moon during the Artemis IV mission and beyond through the Human Landing System (HLS) Program.
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Shenzhou-23 Mission Crew Photos | China Space Station
Shenzhou-23 Mission Crew Photos | China Space Station
Zhu previously participated in the Shenzhou-16 space mission. Zhang and Lai come from the third and fourth batches of astronauts respectively, and will embark on their first spaceflight mission. Before being selected, Zhang was an air force pilot, and Lai worked in the Hong Kong Police Force.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft is scheduled for launch at 23:08 Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced at a press conference earlier on Saturday.
Zhu Yangzhu 朱杨柱, Commander & Flight Engineer (2nd spaceflight)
Zhang Zhiyuan 张志远, Pilot (first spaceflight)
Release Date: May 23, 2026
NASA LEAP Space Technology for Planetary Exploration Missions
NASA LEAP Space Technology for Planetary Exploration Missions











































