The First Astronauts to Fly on Orion Continue Training for Next Year's Lunar Flight...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

Artemis II Crew Train for Night Launch Scenarios at Kennedy Space Center (News Release)

Before NASA’s Artemis II test flight launches a crew of four astronauts around the Moon and back, astronauts and teams on the ground at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, are training for different scenarios that could take place on launch day.

On August 11 and 12, teams with the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program along with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, practiced launch day operations if launch occurs at night. They simulated putting their spacesuits on and driving to the launch pad, as well as emergency procedures that they would use in the unlikely event of an emergency during the launch countdown requiring them to evacuate the launch pad.

During the first nighttime scenario, the crew traversed the nine-mile journey from crew quarters to Launch Complex 39B. Once the crew arrived, teams declared a “scrub” and the astronauts headed back to crew quarters like they would in the event of their launch being postponed. The test ensures that both the crew and ground teams at Kennedy are prepared and understand the timeline of their events for launch day.

Practicing the scenario also complements a September 2023 daylight version of the test.

On August 12, teams completed an emergency egress system demonstration inside Kennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). The astronauts suited up and departed their crew quarters and headed to the VAB, where their Moon rocket is being assembled on the Mobile Launcher. Once inside, the crew went up the Mobile Launcher to the White Room in the crew access arm – the area where the crew enters and exits their Orion spacecraft.

From there, teams went through different emergency scenarios with the astronauts, including practicing using emergency egress baskets while on the ground in the VAB.

During a real emergency, personnel will use the baskets, which are suspended on a track cable that connects the Mobile Launcher to the perimeter of the pad.

The team then headed to the terminus area at Launch Complex 39B, the location at the perimeter of the launch pad where the baskets will come to a stop in the event of an emergency. Once there, armored emergency response vehicles drove the team away to a designated safe site location at Kennedy.

Teams will have another opportunity to practice different launch day scenarios with the Artemis II crew during a countdown demonstration test scheduled for later this year. 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 / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett

The Latest Update on the Third SLS Core Stage Booster...

NASA / Cory Huston

Artemis III Engine Section 3 Boat Tail in HB2 (Photo Release)

Teams from Kennedy lift NASA’s integrated Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) core stage engine section with its boat-tail inside the center’s Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Shown inside the facility’s High Bay 2 for processing, the engine section is one the most complex and intricate parts of the rocket stage that will help power the Artemis missions to the Moon. 

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Cory Huston


NASA / Cory Huston


NASA / Cory Huston

The Last Piece of Flight Hardware for the Next SLS Rocket Will Soon Head to KSC...

NASA

NASA Invites Media to View Artemis II Orion Stage Adapter at Marshall (News Release - August 11)

Media are invited to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, at 2 p.m. CDT on Thursday, August 14 to view the final piece of space flight hardware for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for the Artemis II mission before it is delivered to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All other elements of the SLS rocket for Artemis II are stacked on Mobile Launcher 1 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy. Artemis II, NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, is currently scheduled for a 10-day trip around the Moon no later than April 2026.

The Orion stage adapter, built by NASA Marshall, connects the SLS rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage to NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The small ring structure is the topmost portion of the SLS rocket. The adapter will also carry small payloads, called CubeSats, to deep space.

Media will have the opportunity to capture images and video and speak to subject matter experts. Along with viewing the adapter for Artemis II, media will be able to see the Orion stage adapter for the Artemis III mission, the first lunar landing at the Moon’s South Pole.

This event is open to U.S. media, who must confirm their attendance by 12 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, August 13, with Jonathan Deal in Marshall’s Office of Communications at jonathan.e.deal@nasa.gov. Media must also report by 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 14 to the Redstone Arsenal Joint Visitor Control Center Gate 9 parking lot, located at the Interstate 565 interchange at Research Park Boulevard, to be escorted to the event.

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

The Latest Update on the First Crewed Capsule to Fly to the Moon Since 1972...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

NASA’s Artemis II Orion Spacecraft Moves Closer to Launch (News Release)

NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft completed a short but important journey on August 10, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. With spacecraft fueling complete, technicians moved Orion to the next facility on its path to the launch pad.

Teams transported Orion from Kennedy’s Multi-Payload Processing Facility (MPPF) where it has been loaded with propellants for flight, to the Launch Abort System Facility (LASF). There, engineers with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program will integrate the escape system atop the crew module.

Orion arrived at the MPPF in May, where technicians fueled and processed Orion, loading propellants, high pressure gases, coolant and other fluids necessary for the spacecraft and crew to carry out their 10-day journey around the Moon and back. The Artemis II crew also took part in multiple days of tests inside Orion in the MPPF, donning their Orion Crew Survival System spacesuits and entering their spacecraft to test all of the equipment interfaces that they will operate during the mission.

Now inside the LASF, Orion will be integrated with its 44-foot-tall launch abort system, made up of two segments: the launch abort tower, including the abort, jettison and attitude control motors; and the fairing assembly, including the ogive panels that protect the crew module and provide aerodynamic support during launch. The system is designed to carry the crew to safety in the event of an emergency atop the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Once integration is completed, the entire Orion stack will be transported to High Bay 3 in NASA Kennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be connected to its Moon rocket.

The Artemis II test flight will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen around the Moon and safely return them back home. The mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign. Artemis will return Americans to the lunar surface and help the agency and its commercial and international partners prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett

Endurance and Her Four Astronauts Have Safely Landed in the Pacific...

NASA / Keegan Barber

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Mission Returns, Splashes Down Off California (News Release)

The first crew to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program completed the agency’s 10th commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on Saturday.

NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov returned to Earth at 11:33 a.m. EDT. Teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels retrieved the spacecraft and its crew. After returning to shore, the crew will fly to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and reunite with their families.

“Splashdown! Crew-10 is back on Earth from the International Space Station marking the completion of another successful flight,” said NASA acting Administrator Sean Duffy. “Our crew missions are the building blocks for long-duration, human exploration pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. NASA is leading the way by setting a bold vision for exploration where we have a thriving space industry supporting private space stations in low-Earth orbit, as well as humans exploring the Moon and Mars.”

The agency’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission lifted off at 7:03 p.m. on March 14, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 29 hours later, the crew’s SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft docked to the Harmony module’s forward-facing port at 12:04 a.m. on March 16. Crew-10 undocked at 6:15 p.m. on August 8, to begin the trip home.

During their mission, crew members traveled nearly 62,795,205 miles and completed 2,368 orbits around Earth. The Crew-10 mission was the first spaceflight for Ayers and Peskov, and the second spaceflight for McClain and Onishi. McClain has logged 352 days in space over her two flights, and Onishi has logged 263 days in space during his flights.

Along the way, Crew-10 contributed hundreds of hours to scientific research, maintenance activities and technology demonstrations. McClain, Ayers and Onishi completed investigations on plant and microalgae growth, examined how space radiation affects DNA sequences in plants, observed how microgravity changes human eye structure and cells in the body, and more. The research conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory advances scientific knowledge and demonstrates new technologies that enable us to prepare for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

McClain and Ayers also completed a spacewalk on May 1, relocating a communications antenna, beginning the installation of a mounting bracket for a future International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array, and other tasks. It was the third spacewalk for McClain, the first for Ayers, and the 275th supporting space station assembly, maintenance and upgrades.

Crew-10’s return to Earth follows the Crew-11 mission, which docked to the station on August 2 for its long-duration science expedition.

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the International Space Station for research and development, and supporting future missions beyond low-Earth orbit, such as to the Moon and Mars, by partnering with private U.S. companies, including SpaceX, to transport astronauts to and from the space station.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Keegan Barber

Remembering an Apollo 8 Astronaut and the Commander of the "Successful Failure"...

NASA

Acting NASA Administrator Reflects on Legacy of Astronaut Jim Lovell (News Release)

The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy on the passing of famed Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. He passed away on August 7, in Lake Forest, Illinois. He was 97 years old.

“NASA sends its condolences to the family of Capt. Jim Lovell, whose life and work inspired millions of people across the decades. Jim’s character and steadfast courage helped our nation reach the Moon and turned a potential tragedy into a success from which we learned an enormous amount. We mourn his passing even as we celebrate his achievements.

“From a pair of pioneering Gemini missions to the successes of Apollo, Jim helped our nation forge a historic path in space that carries us forward to upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.

“As the Command Module Pilot for Apollo 8, Jim and his crewmates became the first to lift off on a Saturn V rocket and orbit the Moon, proving that the lunar landing was within our reach. As commander of the Apollo 13 mission, his calm strength under pressure helped return the crew safely to Earth and demonstrated the quick thinking and innovation that informed future NASA missions.

“Known for his wit, this unforgettable astronaut was nicknamed Smilin’ Jim by his fellow astronauts because he was quick with a grin when he had a particularly funny comeback.

“Jim also served our country in the military, and the Navy has lost a proud academy graduate and test pilot. Jim Lovell embodied the bold resolve and optimism of both past and future explorers, and we will remember him always.”
Source: NASA.Gov

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RIP, Jim Lovell...

Below: Tom Hanks' Jim Lovell being greeted by the real astronaut in APOLLO 13 pic.twitter.com/DEDK46khOj

— Rich Par (@AstroPnoy) August 8, 2025

Four Astronauts Continue to Train for the First Crewed Lunar Flight Since 1972...

NASA / Rad Sinyak

NASA’s Artemis Crew Trains in Moonbound Orion Ahead of Mission (News Release)

The first crew slated to fly in NASA’s Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission around the Moon early next year entered their spacecraft for a multi-day training at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Crew donned their spacesuits on July 31, and boarded Orion to train and experience some of the conditions that they can expect on their mission.

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen participated in a suited crew test and crew equipment interface test, performing launch day and simulated orbital activities inside Orion.

“Every milestone in the Artemis campaign brings us closer to landing Americans back on the Moon and pushing onward to Mars. In about six months, Artemis II astronauts will journey around the Moon for the first time in 53 years,” Sean Duffy, acting NASA Administrator, said. “America rallied behind Apollo because it represented the best of us – now it’s Artemis’ turn. They’re not just carrying a flag – they’re carrying the pride, power and promise of the United States of America.”

With Orion powered on, the suited crew test was a close representation of what the crew can expect on launch day. The crew began the day by suiting up inside the spaceport’s Multi-Operation Support Building, donning their Orion crew survival system spacesuits, boarding the zero-emission crew transportation vehicles, and entering Orion, which is currently inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where engineers have loaded its propellants over the course of several weeks.

Once in Orion, the crew performed several launch day activities, including communications checkouts and suit leak checks. For the first time, the crew was connected to the spacecraft and its communications and life control systems, and all umbilicals were connected while the spacecraft operated on full power.

Teams simulated several different ground and flight conditions to give the crew more experience managing them in real time. Some of the activities simulated scenarios where the crew was challenged to address potential issues while in space such as leaks and failure of the air revitalization system fan, which is needed to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the cabin. Getting this hands-on experience and learning how to act fast to overcome potential challenges during flight helps ensure that the crew is ready for any scenario.

The test provides astronauts with the ability to train on the actual hardware that they will use during flight, allowing them and support teams the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the equipment in configurations very close to what will be experienced during flight. It also allows teams to verify compatibility between the equipment and systems with flight controller procedures, so that they can make any final adjustments ahead of launch.

“This test brings together the Artemis II crew and the Orion spacecraft that will carry them to the Moon and back. It signifies the immense amount of work that our operations and development teams put into making sure we are ready for launch,” Shawn Quinn, NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Program manager, said. “They have meticulously planned each operation, timing them to perfection – and now we put it to the test.”

Exchanging their spacesuits for cleanroom garments for the crew equipment interface test, and with the spacecraft powered off, the crew also performed many of the activities that they are likely to do in flight and conducted additional equipment checks. The crew practiced removing and stowing the foot pans on the pilot and commander seats, which will allow them to have more open space in the cabin after launch. They also accessed the stowage lockers and familiarized themselves with cameras, associated cables and mounts, and the environmental control and life support system hardware.

In addition to getting practical experience with the actual hardware that they’ll use in space, they also prepared for life in deep space, reviewing cabin labels, sleep arrangements and checklists, and the hygiene bay.

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

Another Crewed Suborbital Flight Is in the Books...

Dave Limp

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Completes 34th Mission to Space (News Release)

Today, Blue Origin successfully completed its 14th human spaceflight and the 34th flight for the New Shepard program. The crew included: Arvi Bahal, Gökhan Erdem, Deborah Martorell, Lionel Pitchford, J.D. Russell and H.E. Justin Sun, the winning bidder for the first New Shepard seat in 2021. Including today’s crew, New Shepard has now flown 75 people into space, including five people who have flown twice.

“It was an honor to see so many nations represented on our flight today,” said Phil Joyce, SVP, New Shepard. “The view of our fragile planet from space has a unifying effect on all who witness it, and I am always eager to see how our astronauts use this experience for the benefit of Earth.”

Key mission statistics:

Official Launch Time: 7:42:16 AM CDT / 12:42:16 UTC

Booster Apogee: 346,829 ft AGL / 350,476 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL)

Crew Capsule Apogee: 347,191 ft AGL / 350,838 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL)

Crew Capsule Landing Time: 7:52:28 AM CDT / 12:52:28 UTC

Mission Elapsed Time: 10 minutes, 12 seconds

Source: Blue Origin

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Reaching apogee. Seeing what unites us. pic.twitter.com/8xbnb6wdyo

— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) August 3, 2025

Endeavour Has Arrived at the ISS...

SpaceX

Around 16 hours after launching aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Crew Dragon Endeavour successfully docked to the International Space Station at 2:27 AM EDT today (11:27 PM PDT on Friday night)...completing the Crew-11 astronauts' journey to the orbital outpost.

The hatches between Endeavour and the station's Harmony module opened at 3:46 AM EDT (12:46 AM PDT), allowing Crew-11 to unite with the Expedition 73 astronauts for a welcome ceremony. Crew-10 will soon depart the ISS aboard Crew Dragon Endurance, with her re-entry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California set for sometime next week (weather permitting).

Crew-11 is scheduled to remain at the ISS till April of next year, though the mission may be extended depending on the outcome of Trump's 2026 budget proposal for NASA.


NASA TV

Endeavour Is Once Again Bound for the ISS...

NASA / Joel Kowsky

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Launches to International Space Station (News Release)

Four crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission launched at 11:43 a.m. EDT on Friday, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a science expedition aboard the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propelled the Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft into orbit carrying NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday, August 2.

During Endeavour’s flight, SpaceX will monitor a series of automatic spacecraft maneuvers from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California. NASA will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

NASA’s live coverage resumes at 1 a.m., August 2, on NASA+ with rendezvous, docking and hatch opening. After docking, the crew will change out of their spacesuits and prepare cargo for offload before opening the hatch between Endeavour and the space station’s Harmony module around 4:45 a.m. Once the new crew is aboard the orbital outpost, NASA will provide coverage of the welcome ceremony beginning at approximately 5:45 a.m.

The number of crew aboard the space station will increase to 11 for a short time as Crew-11 joins NASA astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers and Jonny Kim, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Kirill Peskov, Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 will depart the space station after the arrival of Crew-11 and a handover period. Ahead of Crew-10’s return, mission teams will review weather conditions at the splashdown sites off the coast of California prior to departure from station.

During their mission, Crew-11 will conduct scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will simulate lunar landings, test strategies to safeguard vision, and advance other human spaceflight studies led by NASA’s Human Research Program. The crew will also study plant cell division and microgravity’s effects on bacteria-killing viruses, as well as perform experiments to produce a higher volume of human stem cells and generate on-demand nutrients.

The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which provides reliable access to space, maximizing the use of the station for research and development and supporting future missions beyond low-Earth orbit by partnering with private companies to transport astronauts to and from the space station.

Source: NASA.Gov

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SpaceX

As Crew-11 continues its flight to the International Space Station, Dragon Endeavour is set to dock at 3 am ET (0700 UTC) on Aug. 2.

Learn more about each crew member through our one-on-one interviews conducted at @NASA_Johnson.

Videos in thread 🧵1/5

📸: @ABernNYC for SFN pic.twitter.com/EdSCyraM6j

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) August 1, 2025

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

Blue Origin

New Shepard’s Crewed NS-34 Mission Targets Liftoff on August 3 (News Release - July 30)

Blue Origin announced that its next New Shepard crewed flight, NS-34, will lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Sunday, August 3. The launch window opens at 7:30 AM CDT / 12:30 UTC. The webcast on BlueOrigin.com will start at T-30 minutes.

Meet the Crew:

Arvinder (Arvi) Singh Bahal

Arvi is a real estate investor born in Agra, India, and is now a naturalized U.S. citizen. A lifelong traveler and adventurer, Arvi has visited every country in the world, the North and South Poles, and skydived over Mount Everest and the Pyramids of Giza. He holds a private pilot’s license and also flies helicopters.

Gökhan Erdem

Gökhan is a Turkish businessman and a board member of Erdem Holding, a diverse group of companies operating in the energy, telecommunications, construction and manufacturing sectors. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Gökhan is a passionate space enthusiast and an avid photographer. Deeply inspired by space exploration, he dreams of one day traveling to the International Space Station and possibly even beyond.

Deborah Martorell

Deborah is a Puerto Rican meteorologist and journalist. Her reporting on environmental and space topics has garnered eight Emmy Awards and two Awards of Excellence in Science Reporting from the American Meteorological Society. Her passion for space led her to participate in a 2007 microgravity flight with NASA, extensively cover Puerto Rican astronauts Joe Acabá and Marcos Berríos, and report on missions including STS-119, Artemis 1 and the launch of Puerto Rico's first nanosatellite, CuNARD-2.

Deborah was selected for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences’ project PoSSUM, and is also a Solar System Ambassador for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Lionel Pitchford

Lionel is an Englishman who has spent the last four decades in Spain working as a teacher, translator and tour guide as a means to travel the world. In 1992, following a plane crash with his sister and her family onboard, Lionel founded a nonprofit in Nepal dedicated to serving disadvantaged children and girls. He’s also run an orphanage in Kathmandu for over 30 years.

Lionel has dreamed of flying to space since catching the travel bug and is astonished that it's now possible for ordinary people. He aims to inspire others by letting them know that they can do the same.

James (J.D.) Russell

J.D. is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Alpha Funds, a technology-focused venture capital company, and Alpha Aerospace, an aerospace consulting and solutions company. He founded the Victoria Russell Foundation to honor the memory of his deceased daughter. The foundation is dedicated to supporting children’s education and assisting the families of first responders.

The foundation is a proud partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to bring the love of reading to children by gifting books free of charge to children. J.D. first flew to space on NS-28 on November 22, 2024.

H.E. Justin Sun

H.E. Justin Sun is the Ambassador and former Permanent Representative of Grenada to the WTO, Prime Minister of Liberland, Founder of TRON, a world-leading blockchain and DAO, and Advisor to HTX, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges. A protege of Alibaba's Jack Ma, Sun was featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine in April 2025, where he was recognized as one of the most dynamic and outspoken figures in crypto and earning the moniker 'Crypto’s Billionaire Barker' for his bold approach to innovation, advocacy and industry leadership. He’s been named on Forbes' 30 under 30 list in the Consumer Technology category several times, among other global recognitions.

Justin is an avid art collector, gamer, investor, philanthropist and space enthusiast. In 2021, he placed the winning bid for the first seat on New Shepard. The $28 million in proceeds were donated to Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future, which selected 19 space-focused nonprofits to each receive a $1 million grant to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEAM and help invent the future of life in space.

Source: Blue Origin

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Blue Origin

Another Update on the Third SLS Rocket...

NASA

Artemis III Core Stage Arrival at VAB from SSPF (Photo Release - July 29)

Teams from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida transport the engine section for the agency’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) core stage from the spaceport’s Space Systems Processing Facility to the center’s Vehicle Assembly Building on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

The engine section is one the most complex and intricate parts of the rocket stage that will help power the Artemis missions to the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA


NASA


NASA

Photos of the Day: The Launch Tower for the SLS Block 1B Rocket Continues to Take Shape at KSC...

Greg Scott - @GregScott_photo on X

Just thought I'd share these great images of Mobile Launcher (ML)-2, taken by avid space photographer Greg Scott, as it continues to take shape near the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The final tower module was installed on ML-2 earlier this month...completing the main structure of the launch platform prior to piping, electrical, hydraulics and the umbilical arms themselves beginning integration on the 390-foot-tall launcher.

When completed, ML-2 will begin operations supporting the first flight of the Space Launch System's (SLS) Block 1B variant—currently scheduled to embark on NASA's Artemis 4 mission to the Moon in late 2028. That flight will see the first use of the Exploration Upper Stage on SLS, and send the Orion capsule and first astronaut crew to the Gateway lunar space station.


Greg Scott - @GregScott_photo on X


NASA

The Second SLS Rocket Awaits Completion for Launch...

NASA

Artemis II Integration in High Bay (Photo Release - July 24)

NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket topped by its upper stage booster – the interim cryogenic propulsion stage – stands atop the Mobile Launcher inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

The Artemis II mission is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step towards missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA


NASA


NASA

The Latest Update on the Third SLS Core Stage Booster...

NASA

Engine Section 3 Artemis (Photo Release - July 24)

Teams from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida transport the agency’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) core stage boat-tail from the spaceport's Space Systems Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Thursday, July 24.

Used during the assembly of the SLS core stage, the boat-tail is a fairing-like structure that protects the bottom end of the core stage.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA


NASA


NASA

On This Day in 2005: Discovery Launches on the First Post-Columbia Shuttle Mission...

NASA

It was 20 years ago today that Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex (LC)-39B on flight STS-114...the first space shuttle mission to fly since the 2003 Columbia disaster.

STS-114 didn't go exactly as planned—with a large bird colliding with Discovery's external tank (ET) as the vehicle was rising from its mobile launch platform at LC-39B during liftoff, and two incidents occurring where debris broke off from the ET during ascent to low-Earth orbit...with one piece hitting Discovery's starboard wing. Fortunately, the impact was not strong enough to cause any damage to the orbiter.

Also, an extra-vehicular activity (EVA) was required to remove two gap fillers that were protruding from the heat shield tiles on the belly of Discovery. Even though these fillers did not pose a threat to the orbiter during re-entry, NASA erred on the side of caution and conducted this EVA anyway.

On July 27, one day after launch, NASA additionally erred on the side of caution by postponing future space shuttle flights as the agency continued to examine why pieces of debris were still being liberated from the external tank during launch. It wasn't till Discovery embarked on the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121 (on July 4, 2006), that NASA enjoyed an issue-free shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

Discovery completed STS-114 by landing at Edwards Air Force Base's Runway 22 in California...on August 9, 2005.

The Latest Update on the Next SLS Flight...

NASA

NASA Tests New Liquid Hydrogen Tank for Crewed Artemis Missions (News Release)

As teams get ready for the first crewed Artemis mission, which will take a crew of four around the Moon and back in 10 days, engineers with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program tested the new liquid hydrogen sphere, which holds one of the cryogenic propellants used to power the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, at Launch Complex 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

To minimize time between launch attempts since SLS holds approximately 600,000 gallons of chilled liquid hydrogen, the team built an additional liquid hydrogen storage sphere at the launch pad. To ensure that the tank functions properly and can safely flow the -423° Fahrenheit super-cool liquid gas to the Mobile Launcher and SLS during launch countdown, the Artemis launch team successfully practiced flowing liquid hydrogen from both tanks to ensure there were no issues.

Once SLS and the Orion spacecraft are stacked, teams will roll the vehicle to the pad for a wet dress rehearsal, which will allow another opportunity to test the new hydrogen sphere prior to launch. This marks the completion of the final ground system verification and validation test for Artemis II. In the meantime, integrated testing with SLS and Orion continue inside Kennedy’s Vehicle Assembly Building prior to rolling out to the pad for launch.

Source: NASA.Gov

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CB&I

Nation #56 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

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

Senegal signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the latest nation to commit to the responsible exploration of space for all of humanity.

Director General of the Senegalese space agency (ASES) Maram Kairé signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of Senegal. Jonathan Pratt, senior bureau official for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and Abdoul Wahab Haidara, ambassador of Senegal to the United States, also participated in the event.

“Senegal’s adherence to the Artemis Accords reflects our commitment to a multilateral, responsible and transparent approach to space,” said Kairé. “This signature marks a meaningful step in our space diplomacy and in our ambition to contribute to the peaceful exploration of outer space.”

Astronomers from Senegal have supported NASA missions by participating in multiple observations when asteroids or planets pass in front of stars, casting shadows on Earth. In 2021, NASA also collaborated with Kairé and a group of astronomers for a ground observation campaign in Senegal. As the asteroid Orus passed in front of a star, they positioned telescopes along the path of the asteroid’s shadow to estimate its shape and size.

NASA’s Lucy spacecraft will approach Orus in 2028, as part of its mission to explore Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids.

The Artemis Accords introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety, transparency and coordination of civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Signing the Artemis Accords means to explore peaceably and transparently, to render aid to those in need, to ensure unrestricted access to scientific data that all of humanity can learn from, to ensure activities do not interfere with those of others, to preserve historically-significant sites and artifacts, and to develop best practices for how to conduct space exploration activities for the benefit of all.

More countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead, as NASA continues its work to establish a safe, peaceful and prosperous future in space.

Source: NASA.Gov

Grace Has Returned to Earth...

SpaceX

Ax-4 Crew Splashes Down Completing First Mission to the International Space Station for India, Poland and Hungary (News Release)

After undocking from the International Space Station on Monday, July 14 at 6:15 a.m. CT, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew safely splashed down off the coast of California aboard SpaceX Dragon Grace on Tuesday, July 15 at 4:31 a.m. CT.

The Ax-4 crewmembers, led by Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., includes Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary. For each of these countries, this mission has realized the return to human spaceflight, with all three nations sending astronauts to space for the first time in more than 40 years. Additionally, this marks the first time that astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary have conducted a mission on board the International Space Station.

“The Ax-4 mission is a powerful demonstration of what’s possible through commercial space,” said Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space. “By enabling astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary to carry out scientific research aboard the space station, we are supporting these nations in their contributions to human spaceflight. This mission reflects Axiom Space’s vision of a thriving low-Earth orbit economy, where access to space is no longer limited to a few, but extends to all who seek to explore, discover and innovate.”

Over the course of their 18-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-4 crew conducted more than 60 scientific experiments across a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, materials research, Earth observation and technology demonstrations. These investigations represented the interests of 31 countries, underscoring the mission’s global impact in advancing science and innovation in microgravity.

In addition to the scientific research, the crew participated in over 20 outreach events, connecting with a diverse global audience that included government officials, students, researchers, the media and aspiring astronauts. These engagements served as a platform to share the mission’s goals, inspire future generations, and highlight the importance of international collaboration.

Ax-4 is the fourth in Axiom Space’s series of human spaceflight missions to the International Space Station. As the only private company to have successfully executed private astronaut missions to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Space has expanded access to low-Earth orbit by enabling governments, academic institutions, private organizations and individuals to engage in research, technology demonstrations and educational outreach in space. In parallel, these missions serve as a precursor for Axiom Space’s long-term vision—the launch and operation of Axiom Station, the world’s first commercial space station.

Axiom Space’s previous missions have included astronauts from the United States, Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye and Sweden, with support from the European Space Agency (ESA). With Ax-4, Axiom Space continues to build a foundation for the future of commercial space, demonstrating the importance of international participation.

Source: Axiom Space

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The Latest Update on the Third SLS Rocket...

NASA / Eric Bordelon

Artemis III Liquid Oxygen Tank Moves to Vertical Configuration at Michoud (Photo Release)

Teams at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans lift a liquid oxygen tank from a horizontal to a vertical position and place it into a production cell on July 12. The process, called a breakover, will allow technicians to rappel into the empty tank and install its aft sump subassembly, securing it from the inside. This tank will be used on the core stage of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for its Artemis III mission.

The propellant tank is one of five major elements that make up the 212-foot-tall rocket stage. The core stage, along with its four RS-25 engines, produce more than two million pounds of thrust to help launch NASA’s Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and supplies beyond Earth’s orbit and to the lunar surface for Artemis.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Eric Bordelon


NASA / Eric Bordelon


NASA / Eric Bordelon