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Bloomberg • Pui Gwen Yeung

China to launch Shenzhou-23 to Tiangong with first Hong Kong taikonaut, starting an overdue crew rotation

China is set to launch Shenzhou-23 on Sunday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, sending three astronauts—Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying—to Tiangong. The mission will relieve an overdue crew and could mark the start of China’s first year-long stay in orbit, with Lai becoming Hong Kong’s first astronaut on a Chinese space station flight.

2026-05-22T22:42:22.261557-07:00

CNBC

SpaceX conducts successful Starship V3 pre-IPO test, deploying mock satellites before Super Heavy booster breakup

2026-05-22T15:11:29.205994-07:00

NASA

NASA to Compete Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Management Contract Under Broader Agency Realignment

2026-05-22T08:05:08.321587-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab completes 9th Electron mission for Synspective, deploying a StriX radar imaging satellite

2026-05-22T04:53:30.003790-07:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

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China to launch Shenzhou-23 to Tiangong with first Hong Kong taikonaut, starting an overdue crew rotation China is set to launch Shenzhou-23 on Sunday from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, sending three astronauts—Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying—to Tiangong. The mission will relieve an overdue crew and could mark the start of China’s first year-long stay in orbit, with Lai becoming Hong Kong’s first astronaut on a Chinese space station flight.

2026-05-22T22:42:22.261557-07:00

China to launch Shenzhou-23 to Tiangong with first Hong Kong taikonaut, starting an overdue crew rotation

Universe Today

Mars fungi research points to bioprocessing regolith into fertile growing media for early settlements A study on “Mars fungi” explores how Earth microbes could be used to make Martian regolith more suitable for growing food crops. The concept centers on using fungal action to condition the soil substrate so it can support a first self-sustaining harvest in a settlement scenario.

2026-05-22T20:05:43.672239-07:00

Mars fungi research points to bioprocessing regolith into fertile growing media for early settlements

CNBC

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SpaceX conducts successful Starship V3 pre-IPO test, deploying mock satellites before Super Heavy booster breakup SpaceX says its upgraded Starship V3—paired with the Super Heavy booster—successfully deployed mock satellites and returned to Earth largely intact during a pre-IPO test. The booster, however, spun out of control and broke apart over the Gulf of Mexico, despite some engine outages. The company frames the flight as a key step toward future Moon and Mars missions.

2026-05-22T15:11:29.205994-07:00

SpaceX conducts successful Starship V3 pre-IPO test, deploying mock satellites before Super Heavy booster breakup

NASA

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NASA to Compete Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Management Contract Under Broader Agency Realignment NASA said it will compete the next contract to manage and operate its federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, positioning JPL’s oversight for a potential reset within a wider NASA restructuring. The move is framed as strengthening accountability and value for taxpayers.

2026-05-22T08:05:08.321587-07:00

NASA to Compete Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Management Contract Under Broader Agency Realignment

Space.com

NASA to brief May 26 on updated Artemis Moon-base plan NASA will provide a live update on Tuesday afternoon, May 26, on its plans to build a Moon base as part of Artemis. The briefing is expected to clarify how the agency’s latest architecture and sequencing translate into an actionable surface-infrastructure approach.

2026-05-22T06:10:46.675064-07:00

NASA to brief May 26 on updated Artemis Moon-base plan

Space.com

Hubble-era reanalysis casts doubt on Europa’s water-vapor “geysers”, weakening a key indicator of current activity A new assessment of 14 years of Hubble Space Telescope observations finds that Europa’s supposed water-vapor eruptions may not be real. The study reopens the question of what drives Europa’s near-surface volatiles and how strongly current plume activity should factor into observational and mission targeting.

2026-05-22T05:12:15.561904-07:00

Hubble-era reanalysis casts doubt on Europa’s water-vapor “geysers”, weakening a key indicator of current activity

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab completes 9th Electron mission for Synspective, deploying a StriX radar imaging satellite Rocket Lab has successfully launched its ninth dedicated Electron mission for Japan-based Earth-observation firm Synspective, deploying the latest StriX radar satellite. The flights underscore Rocket Lab’s sustained smallsat launch cadence as Synspective reportedly looks to raise up to $3 billion via stock sales to fund future initiatives.

2026-05-22T04:53:30.003790-07:00

Rocket Lab completes 9th Electron mission for Synspective, deploying a StriX radar imaging satellite

Space.com

SpaceX lines up private Mars flyby on Starship led by crypto investor Chun Wang (timing unclear) SpaceX says a privately funded Mars flyby mission will be led by cryptocurrency investor Chun Wang, marking a new high-profile attempt to turn Starship into a mission platform beyond Earth orbit. The company has not clarified when the flyby will launch, ahead of a planned Starship Flight 12 attempt.

2026-05-22T03:09:25.778673-07:00

SpaceX lines up private Mars flyby on Starship led by crypto investor Chun Wang (timing unclear)

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

China to launch Shenzhou-23 to Tiangong with first Hong Kong taikonaut, starting an overdue crew rotation

SpaceX conducts successful Starship V3 pre-IPO test, deploying mock satellites before Super Heavy booster breakup

NASA to Compete Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Management Contract Under Broader Agency Realignment

Rocket Lab completes 9th Electron mission for Synspective, deploying a StriX radar imaging satellite

News Timeline