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

China’s Shenzhou-23 launches May 24 with 3-person crew (incl. Hong Kong’s first taikonaut) for year-long Tiangong stay

China will launch the Shenzhou-23 crew to the Tiangong space station on May 24 from Jiuquan aboard a Chang Zheng 2F (CZ-2F), marking a record-length, year-long mission. Beijing has named a three-person team for the flight, including Hong Kong’s first astronaut.

Also: Space.com, Reuters and Space Policy Online
2026-05-23T15:26:31.297723-07:00
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
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
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
Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Rocket Lab wins first GEO satellite production contract from U.S. Space Force

By SpaceNews.com: Rocket Lab's Lightning satellite bus. WASHINGTON — Rocket Lab said May 21 it won a $90 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to design, manufacture and operate two geostationary satellites the military will use to monitor and track objects in orbit.

Also: Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and 3 more
2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00