☆ International Space Station, ~415-km LEO: Expedition 74 seven crew members are examining how bacteria responds to weightlessness, measuring how cartilage grows in space, harvesting stem cells, studying molecular structure of metals with an electron microscope, watering plants, and monitoring their own blood pressure and cardiac function. They also are maintaining plumbing and ventilation systems, cleaning heat exchangers for the station HVAC system, observing how various fluids boil / condense / flow in microgravity, and analyzing air samples for ammonia / carbon dioxide / other substances to determine station air quality. (Image Credits: NASA)

☆ Tiangong Space Station, ~390-km LEO: Three Shenzhou-23 Taikonauts, who are currently adjusting to life in orbit and testing fibers derived from Chang’E-5 regolith samples, are expected to stay aboard TSS for either six months or one year. Two will return after six months, while the other will fulfill a one-year mission. The final decision on the stay durations will be made later based on their physical and psychological health assessments. Commander Zhu Yangzhu was an associate professor of aerospace engineering. Li Jiaying is the first Taikonaut from Hong Kong, where she was a Police Force Chief Inspector. Pilot Zhang Zhiyuan had been a pilot in the air force. (Image Credits: CNSA)

 Near-Earth Objects Close Approaches – Tue June 9: Amor Asteroid 2026 KM3 (0.015 AU) | Fri June 12: Apollo Asteroid 530520 2011 LT17 (0.041 AU) | Sat June 13: Amor Asteroid 2026 JR3 (0.055 AU) | Sun June 14: Apollo Asteroid 2013 BO27 (0.069 AU)