May 18-24, 2026 | Vol 45, Week 20 | Hawai`i Island, USA
SMILE Sun, You'll Soon Be on Camera!
The first mission to observe Earth’s magnetosphere in X-ray light, SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer), is prepared to launch May 19 via Vega-C rocket from Guiana Space Center. SMILE is a collaboration between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to provide a complete view of how the Sun affects Earth’s space environment. It was proposed and selected in 2015, with studies beginning in 2016 and implementation in 2019. The satellite is ~2,300 kg (wet), and is equipped with a 490-newton main engine, 2 deployable solar arrays, Li-ion batteries and 4 science instruments: SXI (Soft X-ray Imager), a 33-kg camera with lobster-eye micropore optics (0.2–2.5 keV) to make X-ray observations of Earth’s magnetic field; UVI (Ultraviolet Imager), a 15.5 kg imager (160-180 nm) to image auroras; MAG (Magnetometer), two sensors on a 3-m deployable boom to measure the magnetic field; and LIA (Light Ion Analyzer), two 3 kg sensors (5 eV-25 keV) to monitor solar wind plasma. SMILE is intended for a Highly Elliptical Orbit with ~5,000 km perigee × 121,000 km apogee, at 70° or 98° inclination. (Image Credits: ESA, CAS, NSSC)
NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Executes Critical Mars Gravity-Assist Flyby
On May 15 the Psyche spacecraft successfully came within 2,800 miles (4,500 km) of the Martian surface flying at 12,000+ mph (approximately 19,840 km/h). This planned gravity-assist maneuver used the Red Planet’s gravitational pull as a natural slingshot to gain speed and refine its trajectory without expending propellant. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in October 2023, Psyche has been cruising through the inner Solar System toward the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche in the Main Asteroid Belt. The spacecraft relies primarily on solar electric propulsion using Hall-effect thrusters. It carries four SPT-140 xenon thrusters (~922 kg total propellant). The solar arrays generate 21 kW near Earth, dropping to 2.3–3.4 kW at the asteroid. This low-thrust, high-efficiency system enables gradual acceleration over the multi-year cruise—its arrival at the target asteroid is expected in 2029. This 2026 Mars encounter also offers a valuable opportunity for instrument testing and additional science. The spacecraft had already captured images of Mars from afar, and the mission teams are using the flyby to calibrate systems ahead of the primary science phase at 16 Psyche. (Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)
Humans in Space
☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven members transferring ~2,950 kg of cargo from recently arrived SpaceX Dragon CRS-34, while working with alfalfa plants, seed germination studies, artery ultrasound scans for cardiovascular health, DNA-inspired research, exercise device testing, and life support system maintenance. Next crew includes Soyuz MS-29 in July and SpaceX Crew-13 in September, which will rotate personnel and transition toward Expedition 75.
☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Shenzhou-21 three-member crew are planned to conduct 27 scientific experiments during their 7-month stay and return to Earth in June in order to further to test long-term habitation technologies and manage supplies delivered by the Shenzhou-22 craft, which is currently docked to the Tianhe forward port. 7,000 kg of cargo / 220 items delivered by Tianzhou-10 are being stowed and utilized. The crew completed their third spacewalk in April and may perform a fourth. Zhang Lu has completed seven EVAs in total, setting a new record for most Chinese spacewalks.
◐ Lunar Enterprise News: Announcement of Artemis III crew members expected ‘soon’ as mission is now set to launch NET late 2027 (Artemis II crew announced Apr 2023 for originally projected late 2024 mission). | Blue Moon Mk 1 Lunar Lander, dependent on New Glenn, could face launch delay beyond 2026 after the rocket’s failure. | Lunar Outpost raised US$30 million to aid its reconfiguration plans to comply with new Artemis architecture. | Rocket Lab (RKLB) stock spiked 34%+ following record Q1 earnings. | Prof. Joe Silk discusses future observatories on the Moon with IAU members and the public.
Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Mon May 18: Apollo Asteroid 2026 JH2 (0.0006 AU) | Fri May 22: Apollo Asteroid 2026 JE1 (0.007 AU) | Sat May 23: Apollo Asteroid 2026 JM (0.013 AU) | Sun May 24: Aten Asteroid 2023 KH4 (0.014 AU)
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