Nation #52 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Liechtenstein as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release - December 20)

Liechtenstein signed the Artemis Accords on Friday during a ceremony hosted by NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 52nd nation to commit to the responsible exploration of space for all humanity.

“Today, as Liechtenstein signs the Artemis Accords, we take another step forward together, united by the promise of international cooperation and discovery,” said Melroy. “Liechtenstein’s commitment strengthens our vision, where space is explored with peace, transparency and sustainability as guiding principles. With each new signatory, the Artemis Accords community adds fresh energy and capabilities to ensure the benefits of space reach the entire world.”

Director of Liechtenstein’s Office for Communications Rainer Schnepfleitner signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Liechtenstein. The Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to the United States Georg Sparber and U.S. Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein Scott Miller also participated in the event.

“With its participation in the Artemis Accords, Liechtenstein looks forward to advancing space exploration among a strong group of like-minded countries committed to the peaceful use of space for the benefit of all humanity,” Sparber said.

The United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords in 2020, identifying a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity. Since then, signatories have expanded to represent a quarter of the world’s countries, with 19 countries signing in 2024.

In addition to an increase in numbers, the Artemis Accords signatories, representing every region of the world, continued to build consensus this year and make significant progress in implementing the accords principles.

NASA co-chaired the Artemis Accords Principals’ Meeting in October, which brought together 42 nations and furthered discussions on the safe and responsible use of space. They agreed on recommendations for non-interference, interoperability, release of scientific data, long-term sustainability guidelines, and registration of space objects to advance implementation.

The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices for responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.

Source: NASA.Gov

The SRBs for the Next SLS Rocket Continue to be Prepped for Launch...

NASA / Frank Michaux

Artemis II Stacking (Photo Release - December 19)

Engineers and technicians with the Exploration Ground Systems program stack the next solid rocket booster segment, the left aft center, for the Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) Moon rocket onto Mobile Launcher 1 inside the Vehicle Assembly Building’s High Bay 3 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Once assembled, the boosters will help support the remaining rocket components and the Orion spacecraft during final assembly of the Artemis II Moon rocket, and provide more than 75 percent of the total SLS thrust during liftoff from NASA Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Frank Michaux


NASA / Frank Michaux


NASA / Frank Michaux

Happy First Day of Winter! The Latest Update on the Second SLS Booster...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

Artemis II Core Stage Vertical Integration Begins at NASA Kennedy (News Release - December 19)

NASA has taken a big step forward in how engineers will assemble and stack future SLS (Space Launch System) rockets for Artemis Moon missions inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The VAB’s High Bay 2 has been outfitted with new tooling to facilitate the vertical integration of the SLS core stage. That progress was on full display in mid-December when teams suspended the fully-assembled core stage 225 feet in the air inside the high bay to complete vertical work before it is stacked on Mobile Launcher 1, allowing teams to continue solid rocket booster stacking simultaneously inside High Bay 3 for Artemis II.

With the move to High Bay 2, technicians with NASA and Boeing now have 360-degree tip-to-tail access to the core stage, both internally and externally. Michigan-based supplier Futuramic Tool and Engineering led the design and build of the Core Stage Vertical Integration Center tool that will hold the core stage in a vertical position.

“High Bay 2 tooling was originally scheduled to be complete for Artemis III. We had an opportunity to get it done earlier and that will put us in a good posture to complete work earlier than planned prior to moving the core stage for Artemis II into the full integrated stack over in High Bay 3,” said Chad Bryant, deputy manager of the NASA SLS Stages Office. “This gives us an opportunity to go in and learn how to rotate, lift and move the core stage into the high bay.”

This move also doubles the footprint of useable space within the VAB, giving engineers access to both High Bay 2 and High Bay 3 simultaneously, while also freeing up space at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to continue work on the individual elements for future SLS core stages.

High Bay 2 has a long history of supporting NASA exploration programs: during Apollo, High Bay 2, one of four high bays inside the VAB, was used to stack the Saturn V rocket. During the Space Shuttle Program, the high bay was used for external tank checkout and storage and as an extra storage area for the shuttle.

Under the new assembly model beginning with Artemis III, all of the major structures for the SLS core stage will continue to be fully produced and manufactured at NASA Michoud. Upon completion of manufacturing and thermal protection system application, the engine section will be shipped to Kennedy for final outfitting.

“Core stage 3 marks a significant change in the way we build core stages,” said Steve Wofford, manager of the SLS Stages Office. “The vertical capability in High Bay 2 allows us to perform parallel processing from the top to bottom of the stage. It’s a much more efficient way to build core stages. This new capability will streamline final production efforts, allowing our team to have 360-degree access to the stage, both internally and externally.”

The fully-assembled core stage for Artemis II arrived on July 23, 2024, at Kennedy, where it remained horizontal inside the VAB transfer aisle until its recent lift into the newly-outfitted high bay.

Teams at NASA Michoud are outfitting the remaining core stage elements for Artemis III and preparing to horizontally join them. The four RS-25 engines for the Artemis III mission are complete at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and will be transported to NASA Kennedy in 2025. Major core stage and Exploration Upper Stage structures are in work at NASA Michoud for Artemis IV and beyond.

NASA is working to land the first woman, first person of color and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon under Artemis. SLS is part of NASA’s backbone for deep space exploration, along with the Orion spacecraft, supporting ground systems, advanced spacesuits and rovers, the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, and commercial human landing systems. SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts and supplies to the Moon in a single launch.

Source: NASA.Gov

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The Latest Update on the Lunar Terrain Vehicle...

NASA / Bill Stafford

New Commercial Artemis Moon Rovers Undergo Testing at NASA (News Release - December 18)

Through NASA’s Artemis campaign, astronauts will land on the lunar surface and use a new generation of spacesuits and rovers as they live, work and conduct science in the Moon’s South Pole region, exploring more of the lunar surface than ever before. Recently, the agency completed the first round of testing on three commercially owned and developed LTVs (Lunar Terrain Vehicle) from Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost and Venturi Astrolab at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

As part of an ongoing year-long feasibility study, each company delivered a static mockup of their vehicle to Johnson at the end of September, initiated rover testing in October and completed the first round of testing in December inside the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) test facility. Lunar surface gravity is one-sixth of what we experience here on Earth, so to mimic this, ARGOS offers an analog environment that can offload pressurized suited subjects for various reduced gravity simulations.

NASA’s engineering teams conducted tests where suited NASA astronauts and engineers performed tasks, maneuvers and emergency drills on each rover. With astronauts acting as the test subjects, these human-in-the-loop tests are invaluable as crewmembers provide critical feedback on each rover’s design functionality, evaluate display interfaces and controls, and help identify potential safety concerns or design issues. This feedback is shared directly with each commercial provider, to incorporate changes based on lessons learned as they evolve their rover design.

“We are excited to have mockups from all three LTV commercial providers here at Johnson Space Center,” said Steve Munday, LTV project manager. “This is the first major test milestone within the Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract and to have actual rovers delivered only four months after these companies were awarded is remarkable.”

Testing consisted of NASA astronauts and engineers taking turns wearing both NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit planetary prototype spacesuit as well as Axiom Space’s Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit lunar spacesuit. The test teams performed evaluations to understand the interactions between the crew, the spacesuits and the LTV mockups.

While wearing NASA’s prototype spacesuit, crew members were suspended from ARGOS – allowing teams to mimic the one-sixth gravitational field of the lunar surface. This allowed the crewmembers to conduct tasks on the outside of each rover, such as gathering or storing lunar geology tools, deploying science payloads, and handling cargo equipment, as if they are walking on the Moon.

While wearing Axiom Space’s pressurized spacesuit, teams evaluated the level of ease or difficulty in mobility that crewmembers experienced when entering and exiting the rovers, the crew compartment and design, and the functionality of interacting with display interfaces and hand controls while wearing thick spacesuit gloves.

As part of testing, teams also conducted emergency drills, where engineers simulated rescuing an incapacitated crew member. As part of NASA’s requirements, each rover must have a design in place that enables an astronaut to single-handedly rescue their crewmates in the event of an emergency.

Since NASA selected the companies, Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost and Venturi Astrolab have been working to meet NASA’s requirements through the preliminary design review. In 2025, the agency plans to issue a request for task order proposals to any eligible providers for a demonstration mission to continue developing the LTV, deliver it to the surface of the Moon, and validate its performance and safety ahead of Artemis V, when NASA intends to begin using the LTV for crewed operations.

Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts – including the next Americans and first international partner astronaut – to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, technology evolution, economic benefits and to build the foundation for future crewed missions to Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov

The Latest Update on Humanity's First Lunar Space Station...

Thales Alenia Space

Gateway: Wired for Deep Space (News Release)

A maze of cables and sensors snakes through a major piece of Gateway, humanity’s first space station around the Moon, during a key testing phase earlier this year to ensure that the lunar-orbiting science lab can withstand the harsh conditions of deep space.

HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) is one of four Gateway modules where international teams of astronauts will live, conduct science and prepare for missions to the lunar South Pole region. Other elements will be provided by the European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre of the United Arab Emirates. The Canadian Space Agency is providing Gateway’s Canadarm3 advanced robotics system.

HALO is provided by Northrop Grumman and their subcontractor, Thales Alenia Space. The module completed testing in Turin, Italy, before its expected arrival to the United States in 2025. Northrop Grumman will complete final outfitting of HALO and integrate it with Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element for launch ahead of the Artemis IV mission on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Maxar Technologies

The Latest Update on a Post-ISS Orbital Outpost...

Axiom Space Accelerates Axiom Station Assembly (News Release)

Payloads, power, thermal to go first enabling commercial free-flyer two years earlier

Axiom Space announced today that it is revising the Axiom Station module sequence to enable its commercial space station to become an independent orbital platform as early as 2028.

Revising the order in which modules will attach to the International Space Station allows Axiom Station to operate as a free-flyer about two years earlier than planned, supporting customer needs as well as national objectives – preparing the International Space Station for a U.S. deorbit vehicle and decommissioning station by the end of this decade.

“We were ready to answer the call when NASA asked us to relook at our space station development plan,” said Mark Greeley, Axiom Space Chief Operating Officer and Axiom Station program manager. “Our ongoing assessment of the assembly sequence revealed opportunities for flexibility and enhancements. With the International Space Station needing to protect for the ability to accommodate a deorbit vehicle on station, we were able to accelerate this work to support the program’s requirements.

“NASA has been extremely collaborative and supportive of the new plan as it addresses its deorbit operational concerns and preserves critical capabilities currently utilized on the International Space Station,” Greeley added. “This revised approach not only aligns with U.S. objectives but also delivers immediate value for our customers and investors.”

Originally, the plan was to attach Habitat 1 (AxH1) first, before the power and thermal module. Now, the on-orbit assembly sequence will start with the Payload Power Thermal Module (AxPPTM), followed by AxH1, an airlock, Habitat 2 (AxH2) and finally, the Research and Manufacturing Facility (AxRMF).

“The result – free-flight capability after the launch and berthing of PPTM,” Greeley explained, “allowing us to add modules while on orbit once we have separated from station. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition from a government to a commercial platform, maintaining a continuous human presence on orbit to serve a community of global customers and partners, to include NASA.”

The AxPPTM primary structure will be built by Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy, and then relocated to Houston no earlier than fall 2025, where the integration of the internal structure and systems will take place at Axiom Space facilities.

“We thank Axiom Space for the trust in our company, commending to Thales Alenia Space an additional module to the ones currently under development for Axiom Station,” said Walter Cugno, Vice President for Exploration and Science. “We proudly welcome the challenge to further increase our effort by providing a new pressurized module in addition to AxH1 and AxH2. Thales Alenia Space has proven in the past, consolidating today, the capabilities and the commitment to be a key enabler of humanity’s exploration ambitions in LEO and beyond.”

Thales Alenia Space plans to produce the PPTM utilizing structural elements from AxH1 and AxH2 to accelerate construction. Elements from these modules are already underway and will be back-filled – AxH1 being the priority to enable its rendezvous with PPTM once separated from the International Space Station.

Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space Chief Revenue Officer, underscored the importance of international collaboration regarding this effort, stating, “Working with leading experts like Thales Alenia, who have a proven record in module development and a strong relationship with NASA, is integral to our operations and vision.

“By engaging and integrating with a network of partners from around the world, we access cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions that enhance our capabilities and supply chain,” Bhatia added. “Our customer base is truly global, including governments, private entities and research institutions. This diversity enables us to meet a wide range of needs and reinforces our belief that space exploration is a collective endeavor for the benefit of all of humanity.”

Axiom Space is working alongside NASA to execute on this revised sequence and realize the company’s and the nation’s space exploration objectives. Axiom Space was awarded a contract by NASA in 2020 to attach a privately-developed module to the International Space Station, as part of NASA’s efforts to commercialize LEO and retire the International Space Station.

Source: Axiom Space

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Thales Alenia Space / Axiom Space

Setting Sights on a Post-ISS Era in Crewed Spaceflight...

NASA

NASA Finalizes Strategy for Sustaining Human Presence in Low-Earth Orbit (News Release - December 16)

As part of the agency’s efforts to enable broader use of space, NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low-Earth orbit, defining the long-term approach towards advancing microgravity science, technology and exploration for the benefit of all. Developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders, NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy will guide the agency towards the next generation of continuous human presence in orbit, enable greater economic growth, and maintain international partnerships.

“As we near the retirement of the International Space Station in 2030, these objectives are a pivotal next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Our consultation with industry, academia and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low-Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence. Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow – advancing science, innovation and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond.”

In early 2024, NASA initiated a planning process that included drafting an initial set of goals and objectives for the low-Earth orbit microgravity environment and seeking feedback from its workforce, government partners, industry, academia, international space agencies and the public. The agency reviewed more than 1,800 comments and hosted two workshops, resulting in essential adjustments to the goals and objectives to better align with its partners. The final framework includes 13 goals and 44 objectives across seven key areas: commercial low-Earth orbit infrastructure, operations, science, research and technology development for exploration, international cooperation, workforce development and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) engagement, and public engagement.

The agency’s efforts in low-Earth orbit are integral to its broader ambitions for deep space exploration. The microgravity environment in low-Earth orbit provides a cost-effective, easily accessible proving ground for technologies and research necessary for human missions to explore the Solar System. With most of the journey to the Moon and Mars occurring in microgravity, the objectives give the opportunity to continue vital human research, test future exploration systems, and retain the critical skills needed to operate in the microgravity environment.

“These finalized objectives represent a clear path forward as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight. “Low-Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement and international cooperation, while making strategic investments in a commercial space ecosystem that benefits not just NASA, but the entire space community.”

The low-Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives, combined with significant stakeholder engagement, drive NASA’s need to maintain an unbroken, continuous heartbeat of humans in the commercial low-Earth orbit destinations era. NASA requires long-duration flights to mitigate risk for future trips to the Red Planet. To ensure reliable access to and use of low-Earth orbit, a diversity of providers operating on a regular cadence is essential.

The objectives will also guide the development of requirements for future commercial space stations that will support NASA’s missions, while reducing risk for human missions to Mars, preserving operational skills, advancing critical scientific research, and sustaining engagement with international and commercial partners.

“Collaboration and consultation remain a cornerstone of our low-Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA. “The objectives we’ve established will help NASA craft a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and prioritizes the development of critical capabilities for low-Earth orbit.”

The low-Earth orbit microgravity goals and objectives are available online at:

https://go.nasa.gov/3DsMtNI

Source: NASA.Gov

Nation #51 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Thailand as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release)

Following a signing ceremony on Monday in Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, NASA congratulates Thailand as the 51st nation to commit to the safe and responsible exploration of space that benefits humanity.

“Thailand’s commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country’s engagement with NASA and the international community,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “By signing the accords, Thailand builds upon an important foundation and shows great leadership for the open, responsible and peaceful exploration of space.”

Pakorn Apaphant, the executive director of Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Thailand. Thailand’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Supamas Isarabhakdi and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec also participated in the ceremony. Nelson contributed the final remarks in a pre-recorded video message.

“Thailand will enter the golden age of space exploration in full force,” said Apaphant of the country’s signing.

In 2020, the United States, led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity.

The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.

On December 11, NASA celebrated 50 countries signing the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters with the signing of Austria. More countries are expected to sign in the weeks and months ahead.

Source: NASA.Gov

The New Artemis Blueprint for Space Exploration Has Been Released...

NASA

NASA Outlines Latest Moon to Mars Plans in 2024 Architecture Update (News Release)

As NASA develops a blueprint for space exploration throughout the Solar System for the benefit of humanity, the agency released several new documents on Friday updating its Moon to Mars architecture. The roadmap sets NASA on course for long-term lunar exploration under the Artemis campaign in preparation for future crewed missions to Mars.

Following an Architecture Concept Review, the 2024 updates include a revision of NASA’s Architecture Definition Document which details technical approaches and processes of the agency’s exploration plans, an executive overview and 12 new white papers on key Moon to Mars topics.

“NASA’s Architecture Concept Review process is critical to getting us on a path to mount a human mission to Mars,” said NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. “We’re taking a methodical approach to mapping out the decisions we need to make, understanding resource and technological trades, and ensuring we are listening to feedback from stakeholders.”

One newly-released white paper highlights NASA’s decision to use fission power as the primary source of power on the Martian surface to sustain crews — the first of seven key decisions necessary for human Mars exploration. Fission power is a form of nuclear power unaffected by day and night cycles or potential dust storms on Mars.

New additions this year also include a broader, prioritized list of key architecture decisions that need to be made early in NASA’s plans to send humans to the Red Planet. Two new elements are now part of the agency’s Moon to Mars architecture — a lunar surface cargo lander and an initial lunar surface habitat. The lunar surface cargo lander will deliver logistics items, science and technology payloads, communications systems and more.

The initial surface habitat will house astronauts on the lunar surface to extend the crew size, range and duration of exploration missions and enable crewed and uncrewed science opportunities.

The newest revision of the Architecture Definition Document adds more information about NASA’s decision roadmapping process — how the agency decides which decisions must be made early in the planning process based on impacts to subsequent decisions — and a list of architecture-driven opportunities that help technology development organizations prioritize research into new technologies that will enable the Moon to Mars architecture.

“Identifying and analyzing high-level architecture decisions are the first steps to realizing a crewed Mars exploration campaign,” said Catherine Koerner, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Each yearly assessment cycle as part of our architecture process is moving us closer to ensuring we have a well thought-out plan to accomplish our exploration objectives.”

NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture approach incorporates feedback from U.S. industry, academia, international partners and the NASA workforce. The agency typically releases a series of technical documents at the end of its annual analysis cycle, including an update of the Architecture Definition Document and white papers that elaborate on frequently-raised topics.

Under NASA’s Artemis campaign, the agency will establish the foundation for long-term scientific exploration at the Moon, land the next Americans and first international partner astronaut on the lunar surface, and prepare for human expeditions to Mars for the benefit of all.

Source: NASA.Gov

The Main Booster for the Next SLS Rocket Continues to Undergo Pre-Launch Preps at KSC...

NASA / Adeline Morgan

Artemis II Core Stage Goes Vertical (News Release - December 11)

NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Moon rocket core stage is vertical in High Bay 2 on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The core stage arrived on July 23 at NASA Kennedy, where it remained horizontal inside the facility’s transfer aisle. With the move to High Bay 2, technicians with NASA and Boeing now have 360-degree access to the core stage both internally and externally. The move also frees up more space in the transfer aisle to allow technicians to continue transporting and integrating two solid rocket boosters onto Mobile Launcher 1 in High Bay 3 for the Artemis II mission.

Boeing and their sub-contractor Futuramic refurbished High Bay 2 to increase efficiencies while processing core stages for Artemis II and beyond.

During Apollo, technicians stacked the Saturn V rocket in High Bay 2. During the Space Shuttle Program, the high bay was used for external tank checkout and storage and as a contingency storage area for the shuttle. The Artemis II test flight will be NASA’s first mission with crew under the Artemis campaign, sending NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman, as well as CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett