China   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
NASA Spaceflight • Justin Davenport

China Shenzhou-23 crew launch to Tiangong (May 24, 2026) marks first year-long mission cycle

China will launch the three-person Shenzhou-23 mission to the Tiangong space station on Sunday (May 24, 2026), atop a Chang Zheng 2F from Jiuquan. The crew—named in advance, including Hong Kong’s first astronaut—will begin a year-long stay to study long-duration human physiology in orbit.

Also: Space.com, Reuters and Space Policy Online
2026-05-23T15:26:31.297723-07:00
Event   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space  
CNBC • Lora Kolodny

SpaceX launches Starship test flight on second try

By CNBC: SpaceX launched its massive Starship rocket on Friday, a day after the company scrubbed plans before takeoff.

Also: Financial Times and 4 more
2026-05-22T15:11:29.205994-07:00
China   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Bloomberg • Pui Gwen Yeung

Hong Kong’s First Astronaut Joins Mission to China Space Station

By Bloomberg: Hong Kong’s first astronaut, a former police officer with a doctorate in computer forensics, will join a Chinese mission to its space station on Sunday, in what the city’s Chief Executive John Lee described as a “historic moment.”.

Also: Leonard David, hongkongfp.com, CGTN China and CNA
2026-05-22T22:42:22.261557-07:00
Viasat   Satellite   Space Force   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards Viasat, SES $437 million for military satellite network

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded satellite operators Viasat and SES contracts worth a combined $437.6 million to build communications satellites for a new military network designed to withstand jamming and cyber attacks.

Also: Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and insidedefense.com
2026-05-22T16:31:01.439487-07:00
FCC   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Blue Origin completes investigation into New Glenn launch failure

By SpaceNews.com: Blue Origin has completed the investigation into the failure on the third flight of its New Glenn rocket, clearing launches of the vehicle to resume.

Also: TechCrunch and orlandosentinel.com
2026-05-22T19:54:41.952921-07:00
Leadership   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Policy & Regulation   Workforce & Skills Development   NASA  
Ars Technica • Eric Berger

To achieve major goals, NASA seeks to streamline its organization

By Ars Technica: It is imperative to concentrate resources towards the highest priority objectives.".

2026-05-22T07:39:18.739239-07:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
NASA • Cheryl Warner

NASA to Compete Contract for Jet Propulsion Laboratory Management

By NASA: NASA announced plans Friday to compete the next contract for managing and operating the agency’s federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) in Southern California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), to ensure continued accountability and strong value for U.S.

Also: Space.com, nasawatch.com and nasawatch.com
2026-05-22T08:05:08.321587-07:00