The Latest Update on Starliner...

NASA

NASA, Boeing Modify Commercial Crew Contract (News Release)

In 2014, NASA awarded a Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contract to Boeing to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station with its Starliner spacecraft. As part of its contract, Boeing was awarded up to six crewed flights to the orbital complex.

After a thorough evaluation, NASA and Boeing have mutually agreed to modify the contract. As part of the modification, the definitive order has been adjusted to four missions, with the remaining two available as options. The next Starliner flight, known as Starliner-1, will be used by NASA to deliver necessary cargo to the orbital laboratory and allow in-flight validation of the system upgrades implemented following the Crew Flight Test mission last year.

NASA and Boeing are targeting no earlier than April 2026 to fly the uncrewed Starliner-1 pending completion of rigorous test, certification, and mission readiness activities. Following Starliner certification, and a successful Starliner-1 mission, Starliner will fly up to three crew rotations to the International Space Station.

“NASA and Boeing are continuing to rigorously test the Starliner propulsion system in preparation for two potential flights next year,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “This modification allows NASA and Boeing to focus on safely certifying the system in 2026, execute Starliner’s first crew rotation when ready, and align our ongoing flight planning for future Starliner missions based on station’s operational needs through 2030.”

Certification of Boeing’s Starliner remains important to NASA’s goal of sustained human presence in low-Earth orbit, and dissimilar redundancy is essential to supporting the agency’s goals and international obligations.

Source: NASA.Gov

The Latest Update on the Next SLS Flight...

NASA

NASA Progresses Toward Artemis II Moon Mission (News Release - November 20)

As 2026 nears, NASA continues moving forward to launching and flying Artemis II, the first crewed mission under the Artemis campaign, no later than April of next year.

NASA’s Orion spacecraft, complete with its Launch Abort System escape tower, is now integrated with the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following Orion stacking, teams completed testing critical communications systems between SLS and Orion, and confirmed that the interfaces function properly between the rocket, Orion and the ground systems, including end-to-end testing with the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network, which aid in communications and navigation.

“NASA remains focused on getting ready to safely fly four astronauts around the Moon and back,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “Our mission will lay the groundwork for future missions to the lunar surface and to Mars.”

In the coming weeks, engineers and the Artemis II crew will conduct the first part of a Countdown Demonstration Test at Kennedy, a dress rehearsal for launch day. The crew will don their Orion crew survival system spacesuits and venture to their rocket before being secured inside Orion, which the crew recently named Integrity, simulating the final moments of the countdown. Because the rocket and spacecraft are not yet at the launch pad, the crew will board Orion inside the VAB.

The test will serve as a final verification of the timeline for the crew and supporting teams on the ground. A second part of the test, preparing for an emergency at the launch pad, will occur after the rocket and spacecraft roll out to Launch Complex 39B.

The Artemis II crew and ground personnel responsible for launching and flying the mission are preparing to conduct additional integrated simulations across teams and facilities to prepare for any scenario that could arise as the crew of four launches from Florida and flies their approximately 10-day mission.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, have a busy schedule over the next several months reviewing procedures for all phases of flight until their preparations are second nature, practicing for different mission scenarios, and maintaining their familiarity with every element of their spacecraft.

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

Source: NASA.Gov

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Lockheed Martin

Blue Origin Looks Ahead to Bigger Rockets and Beyond...

Blue Origin

New Glenn Update (News Release)

Upgraded Engines and Subcooled Components Drive Enhanced Performance

Blue Origin announced a series of upgrades to New Glenn designed to increase payload performance and launch cadence, while enhancing reliability. The enhancements span propulsion, structures, avionics, reusability, and recovery operations, and will be phased into upcoming New Glenn missions beginning with NG-3.

One of the primary enhancements includes higher-performing engines on both stages. Total thrust for the seven BE-4 booster engines is increasing from 3.9 million lbf (17,219 kN) to 4.5 million lbf (19,928 kN). BE-4 has already demonstrated 625,000 lbf on the test stand at current propellant conditions and will achieve 640,000 lbf later this year, with propellant subcooling increasing the current thrust capability from the existing 550,000 lbf.

The total thrust of the two BE-3Us powering New Glenn’s upper stage is increasing from the original design of 320,000 lbf (1,423 kN) to 400,000 lbf (1,779 kN) thrust over the next few missions. BE-3U has already demonstrated 211,658 lbf on the test stand.

These enhancements will immediately benefit customers already manifested on New Glenn to fly to destinations including low-Earth orbit, the Moon and beyond. Additional vehicle upgrades include a reusable fairing to support increased flight rates, an updated lower-cost tank design, and a higher-performing and reusable thermal protection system to improve turnaround time.

The next chapter in New Glenn’s roadmap is a new super-heavy class rocket. Named after the number of engines on each stage, New Glenn 9x4, is designed for a subset of missions requiring additional capacity and performance. The vehicle carries over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, over 14 metric tons direct to geosynchronous orbit, and over 20 metric tons to trans-lunar injection.

Additionally, the 9x4 vehicle will feature a larger 8.7-meter fairing.

Both vehicles: 9x4 and our current variant, 7x2, will serve the market concurrently, giving customers more launch options for their missions, including mega-constellations, lunar and deep space exploration, and national security imperatives such as Golden Dome.

Source: Blue Origin

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Dave Limp


Jeff Bezos

The Press Will Get the Chance to Watch the Second Flight of SLS in Person Next Year...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

NASA Invites Media to Attend Crewed Artemis II Moon Mission Launch (News Release)

Media accreditation is open for the launch of the first crewed Moon mission under NASA’s Artemis campaign.

Targeted to launch in early 2026, the Artemis II test flight will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon and back.

The crew will lift off from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida inside NASA’s Orion spacecraft on the agency’s powerful (SLS) Space Launch System rocket to help confirm the systems and hardware needed for human deep space exploration.

International media without U.S. citizenship must apply to view the launch by Sunday, November 30. U.S. media must apply by Monday, December 8. Journalists who already have annual badges to NASA Kennedy must also apply.

Those who are accredited to attend the Artemis II launch will also be accredited to attend pre-launch events, including rollout of the integrated rocket and spacecraft several weeks before launch. Additional details about launch dates will be provided later. Media may submit accreditation requests online at:

https://media.ksc.nasa.gov

Due to high interest, space is limited to attend launch activities. Credentialed media will receive a confirmation email upon approval, along with additional information about pre-launch and launch activities. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online.

For questions about accreditation, please email: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. For other questions, please contact the NASA Kennedy newsroom at: 321-867-2468.

As part of a Golden Age of innovation and exploration, Artemis will pave the way for new U.S.-crewed missions on the lunar surface in preparation toward the first crewed mission to Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov


NASA / Kim Shiflett

The Latest Update on America's Next-Generation Spaceplane...

Sierra Space

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® Spaceplane Successfully Completes Critical Pre-flight Milestones (Press Release)

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – Sierra Space, a proven Defense Tech company delivering solutions for the nation’s most critical missions and advancing the future of security in space, announced today that its Dream Chaser® spaceplane has successfully completed a series of critical pre-flight tests at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), marking continued progress toward Dream Chaser’s first free-flyer mission.

As part of its comprehensive testing campaign, Dream Chaser underwent Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing at NASA’s Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF). These tests verified the spacecraft’s ability to operate within expected electromagnetic environments throughout various missions.

The spacecraft also completed rigorous tow testing at KSC and Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility. For this phase, a Freightliner Cascadia truck, provided by Daimler Truck North America, towed the spaceplane at high speeds to simulate critical dynamics and validating autonomous navigational parameters during runway-landing operations.

Additionally, Dream Chaser successfully demonstrated the ability to receive telemetry and distribute commands between the spacecraft and Mission Control in Louisville, Colorado over NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System network. This key milestone tested the spacecraft’s readiness for real-time command and control during flight operations.

The testing campaign concluded with a post-landing recovery rehearsal, which demonstrated the safing of vehicle systems and timely access to sensitive payloads.

With these critical milestones achieved, we expect Dream Chaser to move to its final round of acoustic testing in December 2025. Following this, modifications for national security applications will be explored and performed in Colorado. These enhancements will aim to expand Dream Chaser’s versatility and demonstrate its ability to fulfill a wide array of mission requirements, including those essential to national defense.

Dream Chaser is on track for its first launch to Low-Earth Orbit, targeted in Q4 of 2026, through a demonstration mission under the CRS-2 contract with a runway landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

“Each milestone we achieve is a testament to the resilience, innovation and dedication of the Sierra Space team, and represents another significant step forward in ensuring Dream Chaser’s success as a versatile, reusable spacecraft,” said Fatih Ozmen, Executive Chair at Sierra Space. “We are excited to see Dream Chaser progressing steadily toward its inaugural flight to support the nation’s most pressing space priorities.”

Sierra Space is committed to advancing the future of space transportation, exploration and defense, delivering innovative solutions that safeguard national security and ensure freedom of operations beyond Earth.

Source: Sierra Space

The Latest Update on the Fifth Planned SLS Flight...

L3Harris Successfully Tests Second RS-25 Engine for Artemis V (Press Release)

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. — NASA and L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) have successfully test-fired the second RS-25 engine that will support the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for NASA’s Artemis V mission.

L3Harris’ RS-25 rocket engines are critical to the Artemis program’s success, with four RS-25s powering every SLS rocket, enabling the U.S. to help establish a sustainable presence on the Moon and prepare for future missions to Mars.

“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary next year, it’s fitting that we’re advancing the Artemis program that embodies the pioneering spirit of our nation,” said Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion and Power Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “By leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques, we’re delivering engines that are more cost effective while maintaining the power and reliability needed to propel Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.”

NASA conducted the test at its Stennis Space Center, which demonstrated the engine’s performance and reliability during a 500-second firing that reached 111% of its rated power level. This test marked the second flight-ready RS-25 engine produced using modern manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, which reduce production costs by 30% compared to earlier RS-25 engines that powered the space shuttle.

The first four Artemis missions use upgraded RS-25 engines originally designed for the space shuttle program, while the fifth mission will debut the newly-produced RS-25 engines.

Source: L3Harris Technologies

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Photo of the Day: Another Glimpse of the Next Mega-Moon Rocket at KSC...

Lockheed Martin

This latest image of the Artemis 2 rocket was released by Lockheed Martin earlier today—showing the 322-foot-tall vehicle surrounded by work platforms inside the Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.

Electrical and data connections were made between the Orion crew capsule Integrity and the Space Launch System prior to testing being conducted before the mega-Moon rocket is rolled out to KSC's Launch Complex 39B for a wet dress rehearsal...scheduled for early next year.

Artemis 2 is still targeted for launch between early February and April of 2026. Stay tuned!

THE ARTEMIS 2 ROCKET IS COMPLETE!

NASA / Sean Duffy

A few hours ago, NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy shared these online photos of the Orion crew capsule Integrity being mated to the Space Launch System inside the Vehicle Assembly Building's (VAB) High Bay 3 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida...completing the Artemis 2 rocket!

A series of tests will now be conducted—both with and without the four Artemis 2 astronauts—on the mega-Moon rocket and its Mobile Launcher while they sit inside the VAB. We'll have to wait till the U.S. government shutdown ends before NASA can finally release official images of Orion and SLS as they were being prepped for this major milestone over the past few weeks.

An NET February launch date is still being targeted for Artemis 2, but I wouldn't be surprised if this lunar mission takes flight (during a daytime launch?) in March instead. Stay tuned!


NASA / Sean Duffy

Integrity Is Ready to be Mated to the Artemis 2 Rocket!

NASA / Sean Duffy

Late last night, the Orion crew capsule Integrity was transported from Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Launch Abort System Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida...where Integrity will be integrated with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for Artemis 2.

Despite the current U.S. government shutdown, NASA's plan to fly astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972 still remains on track for an NET February launch next year. Since NASA's social media accounts are temporarily inactive due to the shutdown, space aficionados will have to rely on pictures taken by NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy and KSC workers who post their photos of Artemis 2 launch preps on Twitter/X.

We'll see how long we'll have to wait for images showing Integrity finally attached to SLS to be posted online!


NASA / Sean Duffy

Artemis II your ride to the moon has arrived.
NASA's Orion "Integrity" Capsule has rolled out from the Launch Abort System Facility (LASF), to the VAB at KSC for stacking atop the awaiting SLS rocket, ahead of launch early next year.@NASASpaceflight https://t.co/BEepgAJYUG pic.twitter.com/cDPgoBX3GR

— Elisar Priel (@ENNEPS) October 17, 2025

The Orion spacecraft named 'Integrity', the final piece of the rocket that will fly the Artemis 2 mission next year, is now at the Vehicle Assembly Building. It will soon be stacked on the Space Launch System rocket and then teams will begin a series of tests and checkouts on the… pic.twitter.com/taqmQSLCBw

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) October 17, 2025

Orion has arrived in the VAB ahead of Artemis II, scheduled to fly a crew of four to the Moon NET February 2026 🏹 pic.twitter.com/Fark3pG4gO

— Harper Cheyenne 🚀 (@RocketGirlHarp) October 18, 2025

America's Next-Generation Spaceplane Won't Head to the ISS on its First Mission as Originally Planned...

Sierra Space

Dream Chaser® Advances Toward First Flight, Eyes Multi-Use Applications (Press Release)

LOUISVILLE, Colo. – Sierra Space, a proven Defense Tech company delivering solutions for the nation’s most critical missions and advancing the future of security in space, announced today a strategic transition for its Dream Chaser® spaceplane. Dream Chaser’s first flight will be a free-flyer, demonstration mission, which is expected to prove the technology and deliver critical data to NASA. This approach aims to provide Sierra Space with flexibility to address the nation’s most pressing National Security Space challenges, while continuing to advance Dream Chaser’s capabilities for NASA and commercial customers.

Sierra Space is prioritizing first-flight readiness with Dream Chaser, targeting a launch in late 2026 to align with expected launch vehicle availability. Sierra Space and NASA worked together to reach this mutually-beneficial agreement that provides greater mission flexibility for Dream Chaser’s first flight. This flight aims to demonstrate critical capabilities for NASA’s ISS resupply and future Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) missions and position Dream Chaser as a national asset available for future national security and defense demonstrations.

As America’s Spaceplane®, we believe that its adaptability as an orbital, hypersonic spacecraft and rapid deployment, commercial testbed is critical to addressing the nation’s evolving priorities and emerging threats. Additionally, Dream Chaser has unique features and capabilities as a commercial, autonomous spaceplane with the ability to land on any conventional runway, enabling reusability, rapid turnaround and cost-efficient operations for space missions.

“Dream Chaser represents the future of versatile space transportation and mission flexibility,” said Fatih Ozmen, Executive Chair at Sierra Space. “This transition provides unique capabilities to meet the needs of diverse mission profiles, including emerging and existential threats and national security priorities that align with our acceleration into the Defense Tech market. Together with NASA, we are seeking to preserve the exceptional potential of Dream Chaser as a national asset, ensuring its readiness for the next era of space innovation.”

Source: Sierra Space