What are some skywatching highlights in June 2025?
Saturn and Venus in the morning sky, and Mars at night. June brings the longest and shortest day of the year, depending on your hemisphere. And make your way out to dark skies to marvel at the Milky Way Galaxy’s core.
0:00 Intro 0:13 June planet viewing 1:09 Milky Way core season 1:59 June solstice 3:36 June Moon phases
Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/.
The phases of the Moon for June 2025. Credits NASA JPL
Let’s go on a 13-minute tour of “what’s up” in the June nighttime sky. This month we’ll celebrate the Sun’s solstice; follow the Moon through all its phases and close encounters; track down a couple of faint constellations; and shine a spotlight on the star Arcturus. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour episode.
** Space to Ground: Return Items: May 30, 2025 | NASA
**Jonny Kim Discusses Life In Space With Meltwater Summit Attendees – Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 73 flight engineer Jonny Kim of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview with attendees at the Meltwater Summit in New York City. Kim, is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** Recent parking at the ISS:
The science and cargo packed @SpaceX Dragon ended its stay undocking from the station’s Harmony module at 12:05pm ET today for a return to Earth early Sunday. https://t.co/4xdwFBEeD2
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) May 23, 2025
** Growing private gardens on the ISS:
Bootleg agrarian society in the space station
Astronaut Kate Rubins surprised us with her stories of secretive plant growth in the ISS. She started with sanctioned experiments to grow radishes in space. Instead of disposing of the plants, they hid them where the LED lighting… pic.twitter.com/KU1SxgCjN1
Axiom Station’s habitation module will provide living quarters, work spaces, and life support systems for astronauts. Building a structure that can withstand the harsh conditions of space while maintaining a pressurized interior is quite a challenge. The Node Cylinder, 1 of 4… pic.twitter.com/U6Y8gwNrdc
Living in space poses unique challenges that can affect mood and circadian rhythms. Traditional Space Station lighting has LED lighting focused on basic circadian regulation, but Axiom Station is taking it a step further with mood-responsive lighting that can monitor an astronaut… pic.twitter.com/bom0fE4Mh4
— NASA Fires Hypervelocity Projectile at Inflatable Space Station | Sierra Space Youtube
Sierra Space recently conducted successful hypervelocity impact trials at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to optimize the structural integrity of Sierra Space’s Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE®) habitat. The goal of this NASA-supported testing was to refine a shield for the company’s expandable, flexible space station structure to make it capable of withstanding impacts from hazards on orbit.
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime that is building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, announced today that it recently conducted successful hypervelocity impact trials at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to optimize the structural integrity of Sierra Space’s Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE®) habitat. The goal of this NASA-supported testing was to refine a shield for the company’s expandable, flexible space station structure to make it capable of withstanding impacts from hazards on orbit.
The LIFE habitat’s shield, constructed from innovative, high-strength, flexible “softgoods” – a chemically-woven fabric material called Vectran® – provides a lightweight yet durable alternative to traditional rigid structures. The Sierra Space and NASA test teams used a two-stage light gas gun to simulate micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts to LIFE’s outer shield. The testing aimed to select materials and configurations that enhance the habitat’s shielding performance while achieving significant mass savings – critical for space missions. You can view and download video of the test campaign here and photos here.
“Our innovative space station technology drives scientific discovery and fuels a low-Earth orbit economy,” said Shawn Buckley, Vice President, Space Destinations Systems at Sierra Space. “This collaboration with NASA advances our efforts to development a shield that protects against micrometeoroids and space debris, bringing us closer to launching the LIFE habitat into orbit and readying our technology for repeat and long-duration space missions.”
The impact testing, conducted under an unfunded Space Act Agreement called Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities (CCSC-2), used NASA’s .50 caliber two-stage light gas gun to replicate MMOD traveling at speeds around seven kilometers per second. Housed in the Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory, the gun uses gunpowder (the first stage) and highly compressed hydrogen (the second stage) to accelerate projectiles at high velocities to simulate orbital debris impacts on spacecraft and satellite materials and components. Testing is conducted in a near vacuum chamber to simulate space conditions.
— Growing veggies in space:
For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of researching how to grow plants in space.
Our Astro Garden system is a large-scale vegetable production system that uses hydroponics to grow plants without soil and offers a sustainable means of producing fresh food fresh food… pic.twitter.com/cZ8kNVrwjW
Sierra Space secured a one-year, $3.6M NASA contract to study how its inflatable space station technology could provide logistical infrastructure for future lunar bases.
The contract—part of NASA’s NextSTEP-2 Appendix R set of studies—tasks Sierra Space with examining how it would upgrade its LEO space station technology to withstand the lunar environment, given the Moon’s sharp regolith and extra gravity.
Starlab Space LLC and Balance Ophthalmics have partnered to find a solution for Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome, a condition that describes functional changes to the eyes of astronauts. One in three astronauts on long-duration International Space Station missions experiences symptoms of SANS, including hyperopic shifts, globe flattening, choroidal/retinal folds and cotton wool spots. If not addressed, prolonged microgravity exposure, including during missions to the Moon or Mars, could cause complete and irreversible vision loss for astronauts.
This partnership demonstrates Starlab’s commitment to scientific research and to safe and repeatable space flight experiences. The company aims to enhance astronauts’ way of life today on the International Space Station, while also setting a baseline for further improvement and future use on Starlab. Dual-use technologies are key to this effort, jumpstarting discoveries that can transform humanity both on Earth and in space.
Balance Ophthalmics has developed the first and only non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical way to treat eye pressure. The FYSX™ Ocular Pressure Adjusting Pump features a quiet, compact, portable pump combined with innovative pressure sensing goggles. The device has been granted FDA DeNovo Classification and shown to lower pressure in every patient at every visit while worn.
“While our issues are reversed in space – we need to increase pressure on the eyes rather than lower it – the technology behind Balance Ophthalmics can be a game changer for future space missions and improve our customer experience on Starlab. I’m looking forward to partnering with Balance, addressing this critical concern and exploring the many other benefits of the technology, so that our astronauts can clearly and completely focus on their best work,” said Tim Kopra, Starlab CEO.
— Starlab in Europe:
Our European team recently showcased Starlab at the inaugural SpaceTechNRW Conference in Cologne, bringing together key leaders in the space sector and highlighting the region’s strong position in today’s space ecosystem and its vision for future growth.
The Haven-1 primary structure qualification article continues critical testing at our Mojave, CA, test site. Last year, in just six months, we built the qualification article, enabling early testing and validation of our design to ensure we are building a safe and low-cost… pic.twitter.com/VgOJgGTQtn
—- Vast to launch Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, in May 2026 | Spaceflight Now on YouTube
The International Space Station, a beacon of research and technological advancements in a low Earth orbit, microgravity environment, is nearing the end of its operational life. Vast, a commercial space station company based in Long Beach, California, is working on its bid to replace the ISS as part of NASA’s Commercial LEO Development (CLD) program.
As part of its proof of concept, Vast plans to launch the single-module, Haven-1 space station into LEO no earlier than May 2026. It will be followed by the first crewed mission to this new orbiting laboratory no earlier than late June 2026.
Spaceflight Now Reporter Will Robinson-Smith toured Vast’s Haven-1 Experience at the 40th Space Symposium with Vast CEO Max Haot and spoke with Lead Astronaut Andrew Feustel to learn about the design, manufacturing and vision for Vast’s first foray into creating a commercial space station. Haven-1 is designed to pave the way for the multi-module Haven-2, which is Vast’s entrant to become the successor to the ISS.
Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:34 – Our tour begins… 00:58 – Haven-1 overview 02:46 – Lead Astronaut Drew Feustel 03:53 – Science partners 06:51 – Vast and CLD development 08:36 – Glimpse of Haven-2 08:56 – Haven-1 hatch and SpaceX partnership 12:40 – Crew quarters and Vast Haven-1 sleep system 14:49 – Hardware progress on Haven-1 19:14 – Working towards Haven-2
—- Inside Vast Headquarters: Where Next Generation Space Stations Are Built | VAST Youtube
— More touring of Vast’s facilities:
We recently welcomed journalist Pablo Fuente to our facilities and Mojave test site for an in-depth look at our progress toward building next-generation space stations, our pursuit of NASA’s CLD bid, and the talented team making it happen. Thanks to @PabloFuente and… https://t.co/FxytfQU9By
Haven-1’s domed window will enable the crew to observe and photograph the Earth and space. This test fixture is critical to confirming the window’s strength and ensuring crew safety in space. Each test kick simulates hundreds of pounds of force, mimicking accidental bumps from… pic.twitter.com/DpLV17EwhT
To evaluate the performance of our Haven-1 domed window, the team conducted nighttime star photography tests. This setup allowed us to assess how light sources, such as stars and the Moon, interact with the window’s multiple panes. We evaluated camera views through the window and… pic.twitter.com/ogBEWMOKXj
NASA-supported commercial space station, Vast’s Haven-1, recently completed a test of a critical air filter system for keeping future astronauts healthy in orbit. Testing confirmed the system can maintain a safe and healthy atmosphere for all planned Haven-1 mission phases.
Testing of the trace contaminant control system was completed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as part of a reimbursable Space Act Agreement. Vast also holds an unfunded Space Act Agreement with NASA as part of the second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities initiative.
The subsystem of the environmental control and life support system is comprised of various filters designed to scrub hazardous chemicals produced by both humans and materials on the commercial station. During the test, a representative chemical environment was injected into a sealed environmental chamber, and the filtration system was turned on to verify the trace contaminant control system could maintain a healthy atmosphere.
“Testing of environmental control systems and subsystems is critical to ensure the health and safety of future commercial space station crews,” said Angela Hart, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Through NASA’s agreements with Vast and our other industry partners, the agency is contributing technical expertise, technologies, services, and facilities to support companies in the development of commercial stations while providing NASA important insight into the development and readiness to support future agency needs and services in low Earth orbit.”
Experts used the same environmental chamber at Marshall to test the International Space Station environmental control and life support system.
The knowledge and data gained during the recent testing will help validate Vast’s Haven-1 and support future Haven-2 development.
08:50 to 16:49, extravehicular activities lasted a total of 7 hours and 59 minutes 【Shenzhou-20 astronauts successfully completed their first extravehicular activity】At 16:49 today, after about 8 hours of extravehicular activities, Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie closely cooperated with ground research personnel and successfully completed their first extravehicular task. At 08:50, astronaut Chen Dong opened the hatch of the core module and was the first to exit. After Chen Dong boarded the robotic arm, with the coordination of astronaut Chen Zhongrui … full text
** Chinese astronauts conduct spacewalk to add space debris protection on Tiangong space station | VideoFromSpace
Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui conducted a spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station on May 22, 2025. The “complete multiple tasks, including the installation of space debris protection devices,” according to China Central Television.
The Shenzhou-20 crew has been busy in orbit for half a month since arriving at the Chinese space station on April 25. Astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie have quickly adapted to the microgravity environment and smoothly started their “business trip to space.” Let’s take a look!
=== Mars habitation
** Elon Musk gives his latest update on the SpaceX plan for a Mars settlement:
Hosting my space about the latest Mars plan from SpaceX this evening.
* Can they do it?
* When will they be able to send humans?
* What’s the plan once they get there?
* How will everybody else respond to it?https://t.co/jXfAKkuE77
Panelists: Frank White (Sentient Media, LLC; Human Space Program; Professor at Kepler Space Univ.), David W. Peterson, Chairman, Ventana Systems, Inc., Dr. Annahita Nezami, Research Fellow, Birkbeck, University of London Chartered Psychologist
** ISS astronaut Nichole “Vapor” Ayers posts views of Earth:
The Aurora showed up this last weekend when I wasn’t expecting it! I was trying to capture the massive storms that went through both North and South America and got a nice surprise. The Aurora appeared right at sunset over the Northern US and Canada.
— Nichole “Vapor” Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) May 23, 2025
A nighttime pass over the Eastern and Southern United States. I was astounded at the scale of recent thunderstorms … some of these flashes are as large as cities! pic.twitter.com/fsdJjMo20Q
I’m still in awe of our view of the world and beyond. Today was the Flower Moon and it did NOT disappoint!
These were shot from a few different lenses for perspective. I love how you can see the texture in the clouds and on the Moon itself. pic.twitter.com/AImsX4kQ1O
— Nichole “Vapor” Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) May 13, 2025
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) | NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
Check out the night sky this month, May 2025. Here are videos and links to websites highlighting the top sights to observe.
** What’s Up: May 2025 Skywatching Tips from NASA – NASA JPL
What are some skywatching highlights in May 2025?
Find a pair of planets in the sky both in the evenings and mornings, have a look for the Eta Aquarid meteors, and join the watch for the brief and brilliant appearance of a “new star” – an anticipated nova explosion in the Corona Borealis constellation.
0:00 Intro 0:12 May planet viewing 1:03 Eta Aquarid meteor shower 1:48 Waiting for a nova 3:49 May Moon phases
Additional information about topics covered in this episode of What’s Up, along with still images from the video, and the video transcript, are available at https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/whats-up/.
“Sky chart showing constellation Corona Borealis with the location where nova “T CrB” is predicted to appear. The view depicts the constellation with the nova occurring, indicated by an arrow.” Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Venus as a morning star, Mars meets the Beehive Cluster, Regulus is visible in the daytime… There’s plenty to see in the sky throughout May 2025, including the Eta Aquariid meteor shower, the Plough, clair-obscur effects on the Moon and deep-sky objects. Astronomers Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel reveal some of the best things you can see this month.
This month we’ll look for tiny bits of Halley’s Comet; track down four planets; take stock of bright stars in the late-spring sky; and use the constellation Leo to learn what astronomers call all the stars that don’t have names. So grab your curiosity, and come along on this month’s Sky Tour episode.
** Space to Ground: One in a Million: April 18,2025 | NASA Johnson
NASA’s Space to Ground is your weekly update on what’s happening aboard the International Space Station.
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Soyuz MS-26 Undocking [Apr.19.2025] | NASA
Watch as NASA astronaut Don Pettit, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, undock from the International Space Station and begin their voyage back to Earth.
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft is set to undock from the space station at 5:57 p.m. EDT (2157 UTC), heading for a parachute-assisted landing at 9:20 p.m. EDT (0120 UTC or 6:20 a.m. Kazakhstan time, Sunday, April 20) on the steppes of Kazakhstan, southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan. Landing will occur on Pettit’s 70th birthday.
** Watch Soyuz approach and dock to the ISS [Apr.8.2025]:
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Turns the Camera on Science | NASA
NASA astronaut Don Pettit is scheduled to return home in mid-April 2025 after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 72. Throughout his stay, Pettit contributed to research that benefits humanity and future space missions, and delighted photography enthusiasts around the world with his unique point of view.
Pettit also shared what he calls his “science of opportunity” to demonstrate how experimenting with our surroundings can help gain a better understanding of how things work. This understanding is enhanced when art, science, and microgravity come together.
** Between a Rocket & A Hard Space: Episode 2 with NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim | ISS National Lab
The ISS National Lab’s official podcast, Between a Rocket and a Hard Space, is back with an out-of-this-world second episode. Hear from NASA astronaut Jonny Kim in his first one-on-one downlink conversation since arriving onboard the ISS last week.
** How Do Astronauts Practice Self-Care in Space? | NASA Johnson
Everyone needs a little self-care. But what’s that look like for astronauts orbiting 250 miles above Earth? See how crew members may turn to music, movies, and more to unwind and recharge.
Learn more about the ongoing research exploring human health in space at NASA’s Human Research Program: www.nasa.gov/hrp
As more humans venture into orbit and beyond, even happy hour will need a space suit. In this episode, we explore the science, risks, and social dynamics of drinking alcohol in zero gravity—from altered metabolism to waste management and evolving spaceflight etiquette. What does responsible consumption look like off-Earth, and how might it shape the culture of future space habitats?
** Japanese astronaut takes command of space station in on-orbit ceremony | VideoFromSpace
JAXA (Japan Aerospace Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi was handed the key to the International Space Station by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin in a change of command ceremony on April 18, 2025.
** SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon cargo spacecraft approaches ISS in time-lapse | VideoFromSpace
The SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon cargo capsule docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 22, 2025. See it approach the orbital outpost in this time-lapse.
** The ‘riskiest period’ of the ISS’ existence | SpaceNews
A NASA-supported commercial space station, Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef, recently completed a human-in-the-loop testing milestone as the agency works toward developing commercial space stations in low Earth orbit.
The human-in-the-loop test scenarios utilized individual participants or small groups to perform day-in-the-life walkthroughs in life-sized mockups of major station components. Participants provided feedback while simulating microgravity operations, including cargo transfer, trash transfer, stowage, and worksite assessments.
— On Earth Day 2025, Blue highlights the benefits of space for the home planet:
Space exploration confirms it: Earth is the best planet.
Our planet’s resources are finite, but space offers endless possibilities. We can guarantee a sustainable future by sourcing what we need from space and moving polluting industries off Earth. Join the mission to protect… pic.twitter.com/tf196S8ZyB
— Sierra offers expertise in growing plants in space:
For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of researching how to grow plants in space.
Our Astro Garden system is a large-scale vegetable production system that uses hydroponics to grow plants without soil and offers a sustainable means of producing fresh food fresh food… pic.twitter.com/cZ8kNVrwjW
— Space Symposium attendees could tour the full-scale Haven-1 mockup:
Last week, members of the Vast team attended the 40th Annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO. We unveiled the Haven-1 Experience, announced new partners @JAMSS_official, @InterstellarLA, and @exobiosphere, and signed an agreement with the @ISS_CASIS.
Vast, the pioneering space habitation technology company, announced today Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS), Interstellar Lab, and Exobiosphere as the latest payload partners for its Haven-1 Lab, the world’s first commercial crewed microgravity research and manufacturing facility in space—unlocking a new era of orbital innovation through a fully commercial platform. Launching inside Haven-1, the world’s first commercial space station, the lab is on track for deployment in May 2026 and is already nearing full capacity.
The three companies—leaders in space systems, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research—join existing Haven-1 Lab partners Redwire and Yuri, reinforcing Vast’s mission to enable international collaboration in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and accelerate scientific breakthroughs that benefit humanity and support long-term space habitation. The new partners will leverage the microgravity environment of the Haven-1 Lab by installing payloads focused in the areas of advanced materials development, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development.
Vast, a pioneering company in space habitation technology, has signed a strategic agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space® (CASIS) to support scientific research through the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory. This milestone partnership reinforces Vast’s commitment to advancing space-based research and strengthens its position as a key player in NASA’s private astronaut missions (PAM) to the ISS.
CASIS, manager of the ISS National Lab, awarded the partnership based on Vast’s innovative spacecraft designs and its forward-thinking technical and commercial approach—elements that are poised to enhance in-orbit service technologies, expand access to the ISS for new user groups, and benefit life for humanity through space-based research.
Under the agreement, CASIS will collaborate on initiatives proposed by Vast designed to accelerate advancements in scientific discovery, commercial applications, and space station technology. The agreement also supports Vast’s plans to conduct research proposed by astronauts and agencies collaborating on future NASA private astronaut missions.
We’re making steady progress toward the launch of Haven-1, documenting key hardware milestones and development updates along the way. Explore our most recent accomplishments as we track toward our targeted launch in May 2026 of the world’s first commercial space station.
=== Chinese space habitats
** Shenzhou-19 crew’s space mission countdown: Astronauts conduct experiments and prepare for return | CNSA Watcher – Archives
【#TiangongTV# | “Space business trip” enters countdown!】Shenzhou-19 crew’s “space business trip” enters countdown! Last week, three astronauts conducted various space science experiments while progressing with preparations for the return as planned. Let’s see what projects are on their “to-do list”! (Source: China Manned Space Engineering Office) Space dream’s Weibo video
** Shenzhou 19 Crew on Tiangong Space Station for Over 150 Days, Returning Soon | CNSA Watcher – Archives
The Shenzhou 19 crew has been on the Chinese space station for over 150 days. Astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, Wang Haoze are in good physical and mental condition, making progress in space science experiments and test tasks. According to the plan, they will return to Earth around May 1st.
This should be one of the devices that Chang’e 8 will take to the lunar surface. How to make bricks on the moon? How to build houses? Reporters recently visited the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, Anhui Province, and visited the principle prototype of the “Lunar Soil Brick Machine” independently developed by Chinese researchers – the lunar soil in-situ 3D printing system. The “Lunar Soil Brick Machine” is mainly composed of an optical focusing module and a forming manufacturing module. Its working principle is through… full text.
** Space Symposium 2025 | Inside Lockheed Martin’s Expandable Moon Habitat with Uy Doung | SpaceWatch.Global TV
On the final day of the 40th Space Symposium, Yvette Gonzalez had the pleasure of stepping inside Lockheed Martin’s expandable lunar habitat module and speaking with Uy Doung, Chief Engineer for Commercial Civil Space at Lockheed Martin.
What’s inside this next-gen module? Rather than traditional metallic structures, this design features multi-layered soft goods, offering: • 4x the safety factor of metallic modules (compared to the 2x standard) • Up to 50% mass savings • Ability to compress to 1/5 of its expanded volume to fit within standard launch fairings
Uy’s team is building on NASA’s early TransHab concepts and evolving them into a decoupled architecture, delivering more predictable performance and greater strength in extreme conditions.
Why it matters: As we move toward permanent lunar infrastructure, lightweight, compact, and robust structures like this one will be game-changers for the mass, cost, and versatility of missions.
“This technology could truly transform the lunar landscape,” We said. After seeing it in person, I agree — it’s practical, visionary, and real.
This was Yvette’s first Space Symposium and she is leaving inspired by the innovation, energy, and dedication to building the future of off-world living.
Laura Montgomery, Atty, was back with us to stress the importance of establishing space property rights for the commercial industry and future plans for space development. She went over laws, regulations, policies and treaties and made a very strong case for property rights. In addition, she suggested how to accomplish with space development and was U.S. laws would be to use as models, precedent and planning.
In a nutshell, this article proposes that America’s human spaceflight (HSF) policy be directed to go both to the Moon and Mars simultaneously for exploration and the development of permanent bases. This is based upon accepting the likelihood of the emergence of multiple heavy-lift commercial transportation systems that will be far more cost-effective than NASA’s current plans. The idea that we cannot go to Mars without establishing a base on the Moon is not obviously true and something that SpaceX certainly does not believe.
** Children of the Sky: Raising Kids In Space | SpaceRip
The coming generation of larger, much less expensive rockets (from SpaceX, Blue Origin and others) is propelling dreams of permanent settlements beyond Earth. But can a space community truly be said to exist before the first child is born there? Can Mars ever really be a good place to raise kids? What are the risks around pregnancy and childbirth off-planet? Who should get to decide if space is safe enough for children? Would you edit your child’s genome to permanently adapt them to a different world? Can a child raised in space ever return to Earth? Might the children of the Solar System someday strike out for the stars? Six renown experts help us explore these and other challenging questions, as we witness kids in amazing situations far beyond the world of our species’ birth. A “Children of the Sky” documentary.
=== Other space habitat and settlement news and articles:
The Sun’s glint beams off a partly cloudy Atlantic Ocean just after sunrise as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above on March 5, 2025. The space station serves as a unique platform for observing Earth with both hands-on and automated equipment. Station crew members have produced hundreds of thousands of images, recording phenomena such as storms in real time, observing natural events such as volcanic eruptions as they happen, and providing input to ground personnel for programming automated Earth-sensing systems.
“The sun’s glint beams off a partly cloudy Atlantic Ocean just after sunrise as the International Space Station orbited 263 miles above on March 5, 2025.” Image Credit: NASA
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) | NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
** Space to Ground: Preboarding for Spaceflight: April 04, 2025 | NASA Johnson
** Space to Ground: Transitional Period: March 28, 2025 | NASA Johnson
** NASA Astronaut Don Pettit Talks with Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “Star Talk” – Thursday, April 3, 2025 | NASA Video
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 72 flight Don Pettit of NASA discussed life and work aboard the orbital outpost during an in-flight interview April 3 with Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “Star Talk” Program. Pettit is in the midst of a long-duration mission living and working aboard the microgravity laboratory to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate new technologies for future human and robotic exploration flights as part of NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration approach, including lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis program.
** NASA’s Northrop Grumman Cargo Resupply Services-21 Departure – Friday, March 28, 2025 | NASA Video
The unpiloted Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft for the company’s 22nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA was released from the nadir port of the Unity Module of the International Space Station March 28 by flight controllers on the ground in Houston, Texas. Cygnus launched on Aug. 4 from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following a deorbit engine firing on March 30, Cygnus will begin a destructive re-entry in which the spacecraft, filled with trash, will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
** NASA’s Suni Williams hands over command of ISS to Russian crewmate in ceremony | VideoFromSpace
NASA astronaut Suni Williams gave the key to the International Space Station to Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin during a change of command ceremony on March 7, 2025.
** Microbes and the Microbial “Situation on Station.” | ISS National Lab
In this bonus clip from the 1st episode of “Between A Rocket & A Hard Space,” a podcast from the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, host Patrick O’Neill and Dr. Michael Roberts, Chief Scientific Officer of the ISS National Lab, discuss Dr. Mike’s passion: microbes in a closed environment.
*About the Podcast*: Join your host, Patrick O’Neill, Public Affairs lead at the International Space Station National Laboratory, for “Between A Rocket and A Hard Space,” a podcast that explores space-based research with visionaries from academia, government, and private businesses who have launched their R&D to the ISS. People just like you are addressing those pesky hard spaces created by research limitations here on the ground and putting their research on a rocket to test what’s possible in space.
Between a Rocket and a Hard Space is brought to you by the International Space Station National Laboratory, managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space.
This is what the ISS observation dome looks like from the outside and inside
This is a module of the International Space Station (ISS), which is a panoramic observation dome consisting of seven transparent windows. It is designed to observe the surface of the Earth, outer space,… pic.twitter.com/bmsemWAco5
In this video, members of the TMRO crew explain why we shouldn’t retire the ISS early in 2027, what benefits it serves, and a reminder that SpaceX might not exist without it.
— Free floating station configuration now possible as early as 2028:
We have coordinated with NASA to update the Axiom Station assembly sequence. The first module to launch will be the PPTM, which includes power and thermal systems. Instead of docking to Node 2, the PPTM is able to berth to one of the ports currently used by cargo spacecraft. The… pic.twitter.com/KdmNhYDg6Z
During the #Ax4 mission, crew will be performing a wide range of experiments and demonstrations that leverage microgravity to enhance scientific research #ForEarth. With 60 research and science-related activities, this mission sets a record for Axiom Space missions. Find out more… pic.twitter.com/u790ZMiKCB
Vast and NASA have signed an agreement to allow Vast to perform the final environmental test campaign of the Haven-1 flight-ready station at NASA’s Glenn Research Center at Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. Haven-1 testing will occur at the Neil Armstrong Test Facility’s Space Environments Complex, home to some of the world’s largest and most capable space simulation test facilities. Scheduled to begin in early 2026, Haven-1 will undergo rigorous testing to verify its performance and reliability when exposed to environments it will experience during launch and on-orbit operations, including acoustics, vibration, electromagnetic interference, and thermal vacuum.
Vast has signed an agreement with @NASAGlenn to perform final environmental testing of Haven-1 at the Neil Armstrong Test Facility in early 2026.
This test campaign will validate the station’s performance in space-like conditions, including acoustics, vibration, electromagnetic… pic.twitter.com/YqXiQi6Y1m
We’re machining Haven-1’s flight panels in-house, leveraging vertical integration for speed and efficiency.
Full control enables rapid iterations and optimized manufacturing, accelerating our mission to make space accessible to all. pic.twitter.com/PwQ2mw5OIz
We tested and deployed the solar array of Haven Demo in a flight-like configuration to ensure there were no motion restrictions or configuration issues during deployment. The test allowed us to identify and adopt additional minor adjustments to optimize our configuration and… pic.twitter.com/YhgQSDn8Px
** China’s Shenzhou-19 Crew Completes Multiple Tasks in Third Spacewalk – CCTV Video News Agency
Members of the Shenzhou-19 crew aboard China’s orbiting space station Tiangong completed their mission’s third series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) at 20:50 (Beijing Time) on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Video footages shot recently through a window of China’s Tiangong space station in orbit offered breathtaking views of the Earth spinning in space like a shimmering blue gem.
** An in-space snapshot of the Chinese space station:
New from orbit!
We captured this image of the Chinese Space Station using a @BlackSky_Inc satellite. This NEI mission was captured from a distance of 83 km, with a resolution of 0.17 m/px.
Can you identify the various modules of the space station?
John returned to The Space Show to discuss his having used four AI programs to look at the Musk-SpaceX plans for launching supply and humans to Mars between 2030-2050. John wanted to know how many launch sites would be required for the plans Musk has announced to date. During this program, John went through his questions for AI, his assumptions and he he evolved his model. We also disected each of the AI responses. With listener emails and phone calls, this was a thorough discussion but specific to the question John asked the AI with the assumptions he made. All of this was made very transparent on this program.
** Relying on technology to sustain our lives in space is nothing unusual – Dr. Phil Metzger, director of the Stephen W. Hawking Center for Microgravity Research & Education at Univ. of Central Florida:
A major criticism of settling space (e.g., Mars) is that we will depend on technology for air and other basic needs and thus aways be in danger if the tech fails. People on Earth don’t need technology for air so we are safer here (supposedly).
** Space Habitats Living in Space CTEEs Meeting… | Space Renaissance
Participants: Jerry Stone, Thomas Matula, Werner Grandl, Marie-Luise Heuser, Mary Kuiper, Adriano V. Autino
** US Military Wants to Grow Biological Structures in Space |Sabine Hossenfelder
Last month, DARPA published a call for proposals on how to “grow” massive biological structures in space. It’s not as crazy as it sounds: The space race is heating up outside of the weird space biology sector. Some startups are building self-assembling space habitats, others are working on spaceports, and the ISS’s successor is in development. Let’s take a look.
— Open Space 68: Dangers and Rewards of Moon Mining with Dr. Phil Metzger | Fraser Cain
Today I’m joined by Dr. Phil Metzger, a planetary physicist with the Planetary Science faculty at the University of Central Florida. Phil specializes in economic planetary science, helping humanity learn to prosper in space.
Mars-direct advocates argue that modern technology has made lunar steppingstones unnecessary and potentially counterproductive. Why spend precious years and billions of dollars developing lunar infrastructure when we could invest those resources in reaching Mars sooner? The Red Planet, they contend, offers humanity’s best chance for a self-sustaining civilization beyond Earth.
Moon-first proponents counter that skipping lunar development would be dangerously premature. They argue that establishing lunar operations would accelerate, not delay, humanity’s path to Mars. Beyond the Mars debate, they contend that the Moon presents compelling opportunities in its own right. Commercial interests see potential for profitable ventures from tourism to resource extraction. National security experts view lunar presence as essential for preventing strategic competitors from dominating space. The choice between these approaches will determine not just where humans next land, but how quickly and safely we can establish a permanent presence beyond Earth.
As humanity prepares for long-term habitation on Mars and the Moon, the need for sustainable and lightweight building materials has never been greater. Traditional construction methods rely on heavy payloads from Earth, but what if we could grow our habitats instead? In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Dr. Lynne Rothschild and NASA’s research into fungal mycelium-based architecture. Discover how synthetic biology and mycotecture could revolutionize space habitation, offering self-growing, durable, and adaptive structures for off-world colonies. Could Martian mushrooms be the key to our interplanetary future?
** Live Video from the International Space Station (Official NASA Stream) – NASA
Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also streamed from an external camera located outside of the space station. During periods of signal loss due to handover between communications satellites, a blue screen is displayed.
The space station orbits Earth about 250 miles (425 kilometers) above the surface. An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the station, and it has been continuously occupied since November 2000. It’s a microgravity laboratory where science, research, and human innovation make way for new technologies and research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. More: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8
Did you know you can spot the station without a telescope? It looks like a fast-moving star, but you have to know when to look up. Sign up for text messages or email alerts to let you know when (and where) to spot the station and wave to the crew: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov
