The Latest Update on the Planned SLS Block 2 Variant...

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Tests Most Powerful Segmented Solid Rocket Booster Ever Built (News Release - June 26)

PROMONTORY, Utah – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) conducted a full-scale static fire of NASA’s Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket booster. This was the first demonstration test of the enhanced five-segment solid rocket motor, the world’s largest and most powerful segmented solid rocket motor built for human spaceflight.

-- Over 700 data channels assessed the 156-foot-long solid rocket motor as it fired for just over two minutes, producing more than 4 million pounds of thrust from a single booster.

-- Leveraging Northrop Grumman’s industry-leading experience in solid rocket motor manufacturing, BOLE improves on previous designs by replacing key components no longer in production. The booster features a composite case design, updated propellant formulation and advanced components to increase booster performance by more than 10 percent compared with the current five-segment Space Launch System (SLS) booster design.

-- The carbon fiber composite case enables better booster performance, faster manufacturing and aligns with commercial standards by providing commonality among our infrastructure, supply chain and manufacturing operations. Other aspects of the BOLE design, including metallic components, allows the company to support a U.S.-based supply chain of American manufacturers.

-- Compared with its predecessor, this evolved booster provides another five metric tons of payload to lunar orbit, a capability critical to supporting deep space missions.

Expert:

Jim Kalberer, vice president, propulsion systems, Northrop Grumman: “Today’s test pushed the boundaries of large solid rocket motor design to meet rigorous performance requirements. While the motor appeared to perform well through the most harsh environments of the test, we observed an anomaly near the end of the two-plus minute burn. As a new design, and the largest segmented solid rocket booster ever built, this test provides us with valuable data to iterate our design for future developments."

Details:

Northrop Grumman supplied rocket propulsion for NASA’s Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs and developed the five-segment SLS solid rocket booster based on the flight-proven design of the space shuttle boosters. The five-segment booster, BOLE’s predecessor, generates 25 percent more power than its space shuttle predecessor, and provided over 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s initial thrust during the Artemis I mission on November 15, 2022.

The BOLE booster development, awarded in 2017, represents a significant step towards more sustainable commercial practices and incorporates commonality in design and construction standards from across all of Northrop Grumman’s production programs.

With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company’s manufacturing approaches do more than just produce; they accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. Northrop Grumman has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&D, its workforce and its supply chain to deliver today and tomorrow’s national security needs.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities that they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.

Source: Northrop Grumman

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NASA / MSFC

IGNITION! BOLE: Five Segment SRB test for Artemis 9 onwards.

Overview:https://t.co/SJyxcLTCqf

Live:https://t.co/oDqHuQTgZx pic.twitter.com/esQhWxqk2j

— NSF - NASASpaceflight.com (@NASASpaceflight) June 26, 2025

Close up slow motion footage of the unexpected event(s) during Northrop Grumman’s BOLE DM-1 stb test today. @NASASpaceflight

Rewatch the livestream here: https://t.co/c3mHSLrzV2 pic.twitter.com/FcrZXjwLVD

— Jack Beyer (@thejackbeyer) June 26, 2025

Grace Has Arrived at the ISS...

NASA TV

Axiom Space Celebrates Arrival of Ax-4 Crew to International Space Station (News Release)

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew has successfully reached their destination and will begin their planned 14-day mission on the International Space Station. After seamlessly docking to the orbiting laboratory, Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu entered the space station at 8:23 a.m. EDT.

Soon after the Ax-4 astronauts entered the space station, they celebrated their arrival along with NASA’s Expedition 73 crew during the welcome ceremony. Commander Whitson presented her crewmates with their official astronaut pins and orbital flight numbers, declaring Shukla to be the 634th, Uznański-Wiśniewski the 635th, and Kapu to be the 636th astronaut to orbit Earth.

The Ax-4 astronauts embarked on their journey to space aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket at 3:21 a.m. ET on June 25 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During their time aboard the space station, the Ax-4 crew will conduct a diverse array of over 60 experiments spanning various fields of biology and technology. These endeavors aim to propel advancements in human spaceflight and contribute to enhancing life on our home planet. Ax-4 stands as the fourth among multiple proposed Axiom Space human spaceflight missions, laying the groundwork for Axiom Station, which is set to become the world’s first commercial space station.

Source: Axiom Space

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NASA TV

SpaceX's Brand-New Dragon Capsule 'Grace' Has Headed to Space...

SpaceX

Ax-4 Crew Launches to International Space Station (News Release)

The crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) successfully launched today at 2:31 a.m. ET from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft is now in orbit and scheduled to dock with the International Space Station at approximately 7:00 a.m. ET on June 26, connecting to the space-facing port of the Harmony module.

Ax-4 represents a pivotal moment in the growth of commercial human spaceflight. For the first time in history, astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary will fly together to the International Space Station as part of a government-sponsored mission — with each nation returning to human spaceflight after more than four decades.

The Ax-4 crewmembers are Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

“This mission shows that space exploration is no longer limited to a few nations — it’s a shared effort that reflects the best of what we can achieve together,” said Commander Peggy Whitson. “We launched a message to the world that science, exploration and unity transcend borders. For me, returning to space is always a privilege. But leading this crew — representing the dreams and determination of India, Poland and Hungary as they return to human spaceflight — that’s something truly special. We’re carrying the hopes of millions who dare to look up and imagine what’s possible. This is what the future of space looks like — bold, inclusive and driven by purpose.”

During their planned 14-day mission, the Ax-4 crew will live and work aboard the orbiting laboratory conducting around 60 different research activities representing 31 countries. The studies will contribute to human research, Earth observation, and life, biological, and material sciences, showcasing each country’s space research initiatives. This mission will enable opportunities for industrial advancements and technological development to drive discovery off the planet.

Ax-4 is a stepping stone for Axiom Space’s broader vision: the development of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station. By conducting research, testing operational protocols, and building international partnerships in low-Earth orbit, Ax-4 is helping lay the groundwork for a future where commercial platforms support sustained human presence in space.

Two hours in advance of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docking with the International Space Station, at approximately 5:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 26, the Ax-4 live webcast will begin. Watch the crew arrive at the International Space Station live at axiom.space/live, spacex.com/launches and on NASA+. The Ax-4 webcast will cover the vehicle’s approach and docking through crew arrival on the space station, where they will be greeted by NASA’s Expedition 73 crew during a welcome ceremony.

This will begin the crew’s mission on the orbiting laboratory conducting microgravity research, technology demonstrations and outreach engagements.

Source: Axiom Space

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SpaceX

The Latest Update on the Planned Artemis 5 Mission...

NASA

NASA Tests New RS-25 Engine (News Release)

NASA tested RS-25 engine No. 20001 on June 20, at the Fred Haise Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Test teams fired the engine for almost eight-and-a-half minutes (500 seconds), the same amount of time that RS-25 engines fire during a launch of an SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on Artemis missions to the Moon. The Artemis campaign will explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all.

Four RS-25 engines, built by contractor L3Harris Technologies (formerly Aerojet Rocketdyne), help power each SLS launch, producing up to 2 million pounds of combined thrust. During the test, operators also fired engine No. 20001 up to the 111% power level, the same amount of thrust needed to launch an SLS rocket, carrying the Orion spacecraft, to orbit. The full-duration “hot fire” was the first test since NASA completed certification testing for new production RS-25 engines in 2024.

All RS-25 engines are tested and proven flightworthy at NASA Stennis. The test was conducted by a team of operators from NASA, L3Harris and Syncom Space Services, prime contractor for site facilities and operations.

Source: NASA.Gov

Preps Continue for America's First Crewed Lunar Landing Mission Since 1972...

NASA / Charles Beason

NASA Engineers Simulate Lunar Lighting for Artemis III Moon Landing (News Release - June 17)

Better understanding the lunar lighting environment will help NASA prepare astronauts for the harsh environment that Artemis III Moonwalkers will experience on their mission. NASA’s Artemis III mission will build on earlier test flights and add new capabilities with the Human Landing System and advanced spacesuits to send the first astronauts to explore the lunar South Pole and prepare humanity to go to Mars.

Using high-intensity lighting and low-fidelity mock-ups of a lunar lander, lunar surface and lunar rocks, NASA engineers are simulating the Moon’s environment at the Flat Floor Facility to study and experience the extreme lighting condition. The facility is located at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

“The goal is really to understand how shadows will affect lander visual inspection and assessment efforts throughout a future crewed mission,” said Emma Jaynes, test engineer at the facility. “Because the Flat Floor Facility is similar to an inverted air hockey table, NASA and our industry partners can rearrange large, heavy structures with ease – and inspect the shadows’ effects from multiple angles, helping to ensure mission success and astronaut safety for Artemis III.”

Data and analysis from testing at NASA are improving models that Artemis astronauts will use in preparation for lander and surface operations on the Moon during Artemis III. The testing is also helping cross-agency teams evaluate various tools that astronauts may use.

The 86-foot-long by 44-foot-wide facility at NASA is one of the largest, flattest and most stable air-bearing floors in the world, allowing objects to move across the floor without friction on a cushion of air.

Test teams use large, 12-kilowatt and 6-kilowatt lights to replicate the low-angle, high-contrast conditions of the lunar South Pole. Large swaths of fabric are placed on top of the epoxy floor to imitate the reflective properties of lunar regolith. All of the mock-ups are placed on air bearings, allowing engineers to easily move and situate structures on the floor.

“The Sun is at a permanent low angle at the South Pole of the Moon, meaning astronauts will experience high contrasts between the lit and shadowed regions,” Jaynes said. “The color white can become blinding in direct sunlight, while the shadows behind a rock could stretch for feet and ones behind a lander could extend for miles.”

The laboratory is large enough for people to walk around and experience this phenomenon with the naked eye, adding insight to what NASA calls 'human in-the-loop' testing.

NASA is working with SpaceX to develop the company’s Starship Human Landing System to safely send Artemis astronauts to the Moon’s surface and back to lunar orbit for Artemis III.

Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Charles Beason

Blue Origin Looks Ahead to Its Next Suborbital Passenger Flight...

Blue Origin

New Shepard’s Crewed NS-33 Mission Targets Liftoff on Saturday, June 21 (News Release)

Blue Origin announced that its next New Shepard crewed flight, NS-33, will lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Saturday, June 21. The launch window opens at 8:30 AM CDT / 13:30 UTC. The webcast on BlueOrigin.com will start at T-30 minutes.

Meet the Crew:

Allie Kuehner

Allie is an environmentalist and dedicated conservationist with a passion for protecting natural ecosystems and wildlife for future generations. She serves on the board of Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit organization advocating for bipartisan solutions to environmental challenges. Allie is an avid adventurer and explorer driven by a profound respect for nature and a desire to experience the wild places that they work to protect.

From remote landscapes to rugged terrain, Allie believes that firsthand exploration strengthens the case for thoughtful environmental stewardship.

Carl Kuehner

Carl serves as Chairman of Building and Land Technology (BLT), a real estate development, investment and property management firm dedicated to building communities and ecosystems that promote long-term growth and sustainability. Under his leadership, BLT has redefined urban development by integrating innovative design with a deep commitment to environmental responsibility and community impact. Deeply committed to conservation, Carl champions efforts to sustain, restore, and enhance wildlife and natural habitats, sustainable food systems, and environmental restoration projects through business strategy and philanthropic initiatives.

Carl's work reflects a belief that responsible development and social stewardship go hand in hand, creating a legacy that balances progress with purpose.

Leland Larson

Leland is a philanthropist and former CEO of School Bus Services, Inc. and Larson Transportation Services. Both are family-owned businesses based in Oregon focused on public transportation systems regionally and nationally. In 1997, Leland co-founded the Larson Legacy, a philanthropic foundation focused on supporting hundreds of progressive nonprofits domestically and internationally.

Early in his career, Leland was a teacher, worked in the Army counseling soldiers on their educational aspirations, and served as a Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1968, which wrote the present-day Constitution of Hawaii. Leland is a passionate gardener and beekeeper, raises koi fish and chickens, and cherishes spending time with monks in the high mountains of Tibet.

Freddie Rescigno, Jr.

Freddie is an Italian-American entrepreneur, business owner and competitive golfer based in Suwanee, Georgia. He is President and CEO of Commodity Cables, a company he founded in 2001 that services the electrical distribution market for wire and cable needs. His passion for archeological discoveries is at the heart of his interest in space.

A lifelong golfer, Freddie has competed as an amateur at the state and national levels for 20 years. He is a father of three boys, who have inherited his same love for golf and Italian culture.

Owolabi Salis

Owolabi is an attorney and a financial consultant. He is the author of Equitocracy, which presents a vision for democracy that prioritizes equity among diverse groups. Owolabi is also a key member of The Soul Maker Ministry, which preaches diversity given the diverse nature of the Universe.

Owolabi is dedicating this mission to victims of discrimination and civil rights violations.

Jim Sitkin

Jim practiced law in California for four decades before retirement. His expertise focused on employment class actions on behalf of non-unionized employees, challenging industries that traditionally had rejected application of various employee protections. Jim is a volunteer for a global NGO, facilitating meetings with government and community leaders in Central Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.

A lifelong adventurer, Jim has explored seven continents and has dreamt of space since he was a child growing up watching Star Trek. Jim and his wife, Sue, live in California with their very fat cat, Hickory.

Source: Blue Origin

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Blue Origin

Training Continues for Orion's Next Flight to the Moon...

NASA / Isaac Watson

NASA, DoD Practice Abort Scenarios Ahead of Artemis II Moon Mission (News Release)

NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) teamed up on June 11 and 12 to simulate emergency procedures that they would use to rescue the Artemis II crew in the event of a launch emergency. The simulations, which took place off the coast of Florida and were supported by launch and flight control teams, are preparing NASA to send four astronauts around the Moon and back next year as part of the agency’s first crewed Artemis mission.

The team rehearsed procedures that they would use to rescue the crew during an abort of NASA’s Orion spacecraft while the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is still on the launch pad, as well as during ascent to space. A set of test mannequins and a representative version of Orion called the Crew Module Test Article, were used during the tests.

The launch team at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, flight controllers in Mission Control at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, as well as the mission management team, all worked together, exercising their integrated procedures for these emergency scenarios.

“Part of preparing to send humans to the Moon is ensuring our teams are ready for any scenario on launch day,” said Lakiesha Hawkins, NASA’s assistant deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program, and who is also chair of the mission management team for Artemis II. “We’re getting closer to our bold mission to send four astronauts around the Moon, and our integrated testing helps ensure we’re ready to bring them home in any scenario.”

The launch pad abort scenario was up first. The teams conducted a normal launch countdown before declaring an abort before the rocket was scheduled to launch. During a real pad emergency, Orion’s launch abort system would propel Orion and its crew a safe distance away and orient it for splashdown before the capsule’s parachutes would then deploy ahead of a safe splashdown off the coast of Florida.

For the simulated splashdown, the Orion test article with mannequins aboard was placed in the water five miles east of Kennedy. Once the launch team made the simulated pad abort call, two Navy helicopters carrying U.S. Air Force pararescuers departed nearby Patrick Space Force Base. The rescuers jumped into the water with unique DoD and NASA rescue equipment to safely approach the spacecraft, retrieve the mannequin crew, and transport them for medical care in the helicopters, just as they would do in the event of an actual pad abort during the Artemis II mission.

The next day focused on an abort scenario during ascent to space.

The Artemis recovery team set up another simulation at sea 12 miles east of Kennedy, using the Orion crew module test article and mannequins. With launch and flight control teams supporting, as was the Artemis II crew inside a simulator at Johnson, the rescue team sprung into action after receiving the simulated ascent abort call and began rescue procedures using a C-17 aircraft and U.S. Air Force pararescuers. Upon reaching the capsule, the rescuers jumped from the C-17 with DoD and NASA-unique rescue gear.

In an actual ascent abort, Orion would separate from the rocket in milliseconds to safely get away prior to deploying parachutes and splashing down.

Rescue procedures are similar to those used in the Underway Recovery Test conducted off the California coast in March. This demonstration ended with opening the hatch and extracting the mannequins from the capsule, so teams stopped without completing the helicopter transportation that would be used during a real rescue.

Exercising procedures for extreme scenarios is part of NASA’s work to execute its mission and keep the crew safe. Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars – for the benefit of all.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Isaac Watson


NASA / Isaac Watson


NASA / Isaac Watson

Another Crewed Suborbital Flight Is in the Books...

Blue Origin

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Completes 32nd Flight, Has Now Flown 64 People to Space (News Release)

Today, Blue Origin successfully completed its 12th human spaceflight and the 32nd flight for the New Shepard program. The crew included: K-12 STEM teacher Aymette Medina Jorge, radiologist-turned-explorer Dr. Gretchen Green, former Panamanian ambassador to the United States Jaime Alemán, businessman Jesse Williams, aerospace executive Mark Rocket, and entrepreneur Paul Jeris. Including today’s crew, New Shepard has now flown 64 people into space—including four who have flown twice—among them scientific researchers, educators, physicians, explorers and entrepreneurs.

“We thank our customers for trusting us to give them the opportunity to appreciate Earth’s fragility from above, an experience that truly transforms those who embark on it,” said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of New Shepard. “We look forward to seeing what our remarkable crew will do with this experience. I am proud of our team’s dedication in making these moments possible.”

Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, New Shepard is Blue Origin’s fully-reusable, autonomous suborbital rocket system built to fly humans and scientific payloads to space. The rocket is powered by one BE-3PM engine, which is fueled by a highly-efficient and clean combination of liquid hydrogen and oxygen. During flight, the only byproduct of New Shepard’s engine combustion is water vapor, with no carbon emissions.

Key mission statistics:

Official Launch Time: 8:39:11 AM CDT / 13:39:11 UTC

Booster Apogee: 339,963 ft AGL / 343,610 ft MSL (104 km AGL / 105 km MSL)

Crew Capsule Apogee: 340,290 ft AGL / 343,937 ft MSL (104 km AGL / 105 km MSL)

Crew Capsule Landing Time: 8:49:18 AM CDT / 13:49:18 UTC

Mission Elapsed Time: 10 minutes, 7 seconds

Source: Blue Origin

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Reaching apogee isn’t just the highest point during flight. It’s a defining moment. pic.twitter.com/MYGvD6QeS2

— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) May 31, 2025

The Latest Update on One of the Orbital Successors to the ISS...

Vast

NASA Helps with Progress on Vast’s Haven-1 Commercial Space Station (News Release - May 28)

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 that 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 that 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.

NASA supports the design and development of multiple commercial space stations through funded and unfunded agreements. NASA plans to procure services from one or more companies following the design and development phase as part of the agency’s strategy to become one of many customers for low-Earth orbit stations.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA

The Next SLS Rocket Will Go Through a Series of Pre-Flight Milestones at KSC Before Sending Four Astronauts to the Moon...

NASA

Integrated Testing on Horizon for Artemis II Launch Preparations (News Release)

Teams responsible for preparing and launching Artemis II at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are set to begin a series of integrated tests to get ready for the mission. With the upper stage of the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) integrated with other elements of the rocket, engineers are set to start the tests to confirm that rocket and ground systems are working and communicating as planned.

While similar to the integrated testing campaign conducted for NASA’s uncrewed Artemis I test flight, engineers have added tests ahead of Artemis II to prepare for NASA’s first crewed flight under the Artemis campaign – an approximately 10-day journey by four astronauts around the Moon and back. The mission is another step towards missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future astronaut missions to Mars.

Interface Verification Testing

Verifies the functionality and interoperability of interfaces across elements and systems. Teams will conduct this test from the firing room in the Launch Control Center and perform health and status checks of various systems and interfaces between the SLS core stage, the solid rocket boosters, and the ground systems. It will ensure that different systems, including core stage engines and booster thrust control, work as planned.

Teams will also perform the same series of tests with the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and Orion before conducting a final interface test with all segments.

Program Specific Engineering Test

Teams will conduct separate engineering tests for the core stage, rocket boosters and upper stage following the interface verification tests for each part of the rocket.

End-to-End Communications Testing

Integrated test of SLS core and upper stages, and Orion command and telemetry radio frequencies with mission control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to demonstrate flight controllers’ ability to communicate with the ground systems and infrastructure. This test uses a radio frequency antenna in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), another near the launch pad that will cover the first few minutes of launch, as well as a radio frequency that use the Tracking Data Relay Satellite and the Deep Space Network. Teams will do two versions of this test – one with the ground equipment communicating with a radio and telemetry station for checkouts, and one with all of the hardware and equipment communicating with communications infrastructure like it will on launch day.

Countdown Demonstration Test

Teams will conduct a launch day demonstration with the Artemis II astronauts to test launch countdown procedures and make any final necessary adjustments ahead of launch. This test will be divided into two parts. The first will be conducted while SLS and Orion are in the VAB and include the Artemis II crew departing their crew quarters after suiting up at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building and driving to the VAB where they will enter Orion like they will on launch day and practice getting strapped in.

Part two will be completed once the rocket is at the launch pad and will allow the astronauts and Artemis launch team to practice how to use the emergency egress system, which would be used in the event of an unlikely emergency at the launch pad during launch countdown.

Flight Termination System End-to-End Test

Test to ensure that the rocket’s flight termination system can be activated in the event of an emergency. For public safety, all rockets are required to have a flight termination system. This test will be divided into two parts inside the VAB.

The first will take place ahead of Orion getting stacked atop SLS and the second will occur before the rocket and spacecraft roll out to the launch pad.

Wet Dress Rehearsal

Teams will practice loading cryogenic liquid propellant inside SLS once it’s at the launch pad and run through the launch countdown sequences just prior to engine ignition. The rehearsal will run the Artemis II launch team through operations to load liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket’s tanks, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and also drain the tanks to give them an opportunity to practice the timelines and procedures that they will use for launch.

Teams will load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic, or super cold, propellants into the rocket on the Mobile Launcher at the launch pad according to the detailed timeline that they will use on the actual launch day. They will practice every phase of the countdown, including weather briefings, pre-planned holds in the countdown, conditioning and replenishing the propellants as needed, and validation checks. The Artemis II crew will not participate in the rehearsal.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Kim Shiflett