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On May 22, 2026, SpaceX launched its Starship V3 from Starbase, Texas, marking the 12th overall flight for the Starship program. The test flight demonstrated the capabilities of the newest version of SpaceX"s Starship, with both the Starship Super Heavy booster and its Ship upper stage making controlled splashdowns after reaching suborbital space.
China has successfully launched the Shenzhou 23 mission, sending a trio of astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a six-month-long stay, marking the end of the country's longest human spaceflight mission to date. This launch also sets a new milestone with one astronaut starting a one-year stay in orbit and another becoming the first from Hong Kong to fly to space.
NASA has unveiled a significant reorganization, combining mission directorates and reshuffling personnel to increase efficiency and support its ambitious future missions, including the Artemis program. The changes aim to streamline operations and improve collaboration across the agency.
SpaceX successfully launched the Starship V3 megarrcket on its first test flight from the Starbase facility in South Texas, marking a significant milestone in the development of the vehicle despite experiencing engine shutdowns during liftoff and ascent. The mission aimed to evaluate the performance of the redesigned Starship Version 3, featuring a complete design overhaul for operational missions.
On May 22, 2026, SpaceX launched its first Starship Version 3 rocket from the Starbase launch site on the Texas Gulf Coast, testing more powerful methane-fueled Raptor 3 engines and enhanced control systems. The mission marked a significant milestone for the company, despite an early engine shutdown, and has major implications for the broader aerospace industry.
The US Space Force is planning to launch a series of spacecraft in 2027 to demonstrate in-space refueling and satellite servicing technologies, with the goal of determining their commercial sustainability. The demonstrations will involve multiple spacecraft, including the Provisioner and Otter, and will test various capabilities such as refueling, docking, and augmented maneuvering.
On May 21, 2026, SpaceX attempted to launch its Starship V3 megarocket for the first time, but the launch was delayed due to technical issues. The WorldView Legion satellite captured a notable image of the Starship V3 on the launchpad prior to the scheduled launch.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to open up competition for the contract to operate the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) currently managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). This decision marks a significant change in the management structure of JPL, which has been overseen by Caltech since its inception.
Scientists have discovered evidence of a significant solar proton event that occurred between 1200 and 1204 CE, which was recorded in tree rings and the diary of a Japanese poet, providing valuable insights into the sun's activity during that period. This finding has major implications for our understanding of space weather and its potential impact on astronauts and spacecraft.
On May 22, 2026, SpaceX attempted to launch its Starship V3 megarocket for the first time from Starbase, Texas, targeting a 90-minute launch window. The successful launch of Starship V3 is crucial for NASA's Artemis 4 mission and future crewed missions.
SpaceX has launched its newest version of the Starship, the world"s largest and most powerful rocket, on a critical test flight from Starbase, Texas, marking the first launch of the redesigned vehicle and Super Heavy booster. The successful launch paves the way for future development and testing of the Starship program.
The Gemini North telescope has captured an image of the Crystal Ball Nebula, a planetary nebula located approximately 1,500 light-years away, providing insights into the death of a star. This image shows the nebula as it appeared 1,500 years ago, offering a unique glimpse into the past.
NASA has announced plans to establish a permanent human settlement near the moon's south pole, with the Artemis program playing a crucial role in this endeavor. The agency will provide updates on its progress and strategies for achieving this goal, marking a significant step towards sustainable lunar exploration.
On May 22, Rocket Lab will launch an Earth-observing radar satellite called Strix for the Japanese company Synspective, marking the ninth mission between the two companies. The satellite will be deployed in low Earth orbit using Rocket Lab's Electron rocket.
On May 21, 2026, SpaceX launched a batch of 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the 46th mission in support of its Starlink program. The successful launch and subsequent landing of the Falcon 9 first stage booster underscore the company's ongoing efforts to expand its satellite constellation and advance reusable rocket technology.
SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 19, 2026, adding 24 broadband internet satellites to the Starlink constellation, which now consists of over 10,000 spacecraft. This mission marks a significant milestone in the development of SpaceX"s satellite internet network, with more than 600 Starlink satellites supporting direct-to-device capabilities.
On Friday, May 15, SpaceX launched its Cargo Dragon spacecraft on the third attempt, carrying 6,500 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station after overcoming initial weather-related delays. The successful launch marks a crucial milestone in the ongoing collaboration between NASA and SpaceX under the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) program.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully completed a static fire test of a Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM) 63XL Solid Rocket Booster (SRB), a crucial component of the Vulcan rocket, as the company continues to investigate an anomaly that occurred during a recent launch. This milestone marks a significant step forward in ULA's efforts to resume flights with its Vulcan rockets.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship V3 rocket on May 19, marking a significant milestone in the development of its next-generation spacecraft. The mission will demonstrate new technologies and capabilities in a suborbital flight environment.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the NROL-172 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, carrying intelligence-gathering satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office, marking the 13th mission in support of the proliferated architecture constellation. This launch is significant as it contributes to the enhancement of the US military"s geospatial intelligence capabilities.
The Link spacecraft, designed to rescue NASA"s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from falling back into the Earth"s atmosphere, has successfully completed its environmental testing at NASA"s Goddard Space Flight Center. The mission is scheduled to launch in June 2026 aboard a Pegasus XL air-launched rocket.
SpaceX has announced a private mission to Mars, led by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, with the goal of conducting a flyby expedition of the planet. The mission, which will also include a flyby of the moon, does not yet have a target date or year.
SpaceX is set to launch its Starship V3 rocket on May 22, carrying 22 dummy Starlink internet satellites in a critical test flight that marks the first launch of the world"s largest and most powerful rocket. The mission aims to demonstrate the capabilities of the new rocket and pave the way for future commercial and crewed flights.
The Smile spacecraft launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, beginning its mission to study Earth's magnetic shield and its response to solar storms. The spacecraft will utilize X-ray and ultraviolet cameras to observe the magnetic field, collecting data for 45 hours at a time.