Space Tea, April Edition 🚀✨

By Rosie Johnson, Co-Founder of Her Cosmic Orbit

April came in hot with rocket launches, space drama, and some headlines that had us doing a double take from orbit. At Her Cosmic Orbit, we’re not just chasing launches, we’re paying attention to who gets to go to space, why it matters, and what it means for the rest of us down here.

So whether you're a seasoned stargazer or just here for the space gossip, here are our 10 of the biggest, and most talked-about space stories of the month.

Let’s break it down 👇

Photo by Derek Newsome

1. FRAM-2: Pole Dancing in Space

In early April, the FRAM-2 mission made history as the first crewed spacecraft to orbit over both Earth's poles. Can we call this the first pole dance in space? 🤭

Launched by SpaceX, this private mission had a truly diverse crew. Led by Chun Wang, a crypto entrepreneur with a passion for polar exploration. Joined by Norwegian cinematographer Jannicke Mikkelsen, German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge who is also the pilot, and Mission Specialist Australian polar guide Eric Philips. During their 3.5-day journey, they conducted 22 experiments, including the first medical X-rays taken in space, and tested exercise devices to maintain muscle health in microgravity. They successfully completed this mission after a splashdown off the California coast, marking the first time a Crew Dragon spacecraft was recovered on the west coast.

👉 Shoutout to our friend Derek Newsome for providing this awesome photo from the launch on the Space Coast

Credit: NASA

2. Artemis II Patch Revealed: 'AII' Means All (And We Mean It)

The countdown has started! We are about one year out from launch, and the Artemis II crew just dropped their official mission patch! And we’re OBSESSED!

The stylized “A” pulls double duty as both Artemis and the Roman numeral “II,” forming “AII” — as in, all of us. It’s a VIBE!

Not to mention the that Moon and Earth resembles the iconic Earthrise photo from Apollo 8. But this time, it's not just four men going to the Moon…it’s a crew that reflects everyone.

The message is clear: Artemis II isn’t about repeating history. It’s about rewriting it for all.

Photo by (MVP) Derek Newsome

3. Amazon Launched Satellites and It Wasn’t for Faster Delivery 🚀

On April 28, Amazon launched 27 satellites into space with Project Kuiper, their answer to Starlink. Launched on ULA’s big ol’ Atlas V rocket, “Kuiper-1” is the first step in deploying a 3,200+ satellite mega-constellation to beam internet across the globe — especially to communities that have been left out of the online world.

Translation: internet equality might actually get a boost!

The best part? It’s about trying to provide communication to ALL, whether you're in NYC or the Namib Desert. More access to Bezo memes and awkward facetimes, but hey this is great news for so many communities.

4. Jared Isaacman Might Be NASA’s New Boss

The Senate just advanced Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA — a bold pick with spaceflight experience and big visions for the Moon and Mars. But with ties to SpaceX and not a ton of clarity on how he’ll keep NASA focused on public missions (not private profits), it’s fair to have questions. We’re excited for fresh leadership, but the space community deserves transparency and accountability too.

5. Jonny Kim: First Korean-American to reach the ISS

On April 8, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim launched aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft, marking his first journey to the International Space Station. Joining cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, Kim will spend eight months conducting scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at supporting future space missions and benefiting life on Earth.

6. America’s Oldest Astronaut Don Pettit Turns 70 by Landing Back on Earth

NASA LEGEND Don Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday returning to Earth after a 7 month mission aboard the ISS, his happy place. With a new total of 590 days in space over four missions, he's now third on NASA’s most days in space list.

Now can we talk about his photography? His long-exposure star trails and one-of-a-kind Earth views have redefined how we see space, turning orbital science into literal art. We understand now when Pettit says microgravity made him feel young again—and he's want to go back already!

7. Starlink Just Hit 250 Launches

On April 27, SpaceX hit a major milestone with its 250th Starlink launch that tossed 23 satellites into orbit like it was no big deal. Falcon 9 + Starlink are the dream team at this point, reliable queens, showing us that reusable space tech is the future. Thanks to Falcon 9, spaceflight is finally starting to feel... routine. In the best way.

Photo by Laura Holt

8. Starbase, Texas — From Launch Site to Official City

South Texas locals voted 212 to 6 to make Starbase, Texas a real city — yep, the one basically built around SpaceX’s launch site. Supporters say it's about boosting innovation, but critics are raising eyebrows at corporate control, environmental concerns, beach closures, and whether this is just Elon’s next step in his villain origin story. Honestly, for a guy who wants to govern Mars, starting his own town on Earth tracks a little too well.

9. Europe’s First Private Reentry Capsule Makes a Splash (Literally)

On April 21, German startup Atmos Space Cargo launched its Phoenix 1 capsule aboard SpaceX’s Bandwagon-3 mission, marking Europe's first private reentry attempt. The doughnut-shaped capsule tested an inflatable heat shield and carried four customer experiments, successfully transmitting data before splashing down about 2,000 km off Brazil's coast. Though recovery was hampered by a last-minute trajectory change, Atmos considers the mission a success and is already prepping Phoenix 2 for a 2026 flight.

Credit: Blue Origin

10. NS-31: The Girls Went to Space — and the Internet Had Opinions

On April 14, Blue Origin launched the first all-women crew aboard their suborbital vehicle the New Shepard. This crew was a mix of icons like rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen…oh and pop culture icon Katy Perry, Gayle King, movie producer Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez. It was historic, it was headline-grabbing, and it definitely sent media into orbit.

As someone who was lucky enough to be on launch site day of, I had some thoughts of my own. So I put them in this Op-Ed → because women going to space shouldn’t be controversial, but the way we talk about them often is.

That's a wrap, stay cosmic space loverz!