Nation #75 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Côte d’Ivoire as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release - September 24)

Côte d’Ivoire signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday, becoming the 75th signatory and marking a major milestone for this growing coalition. With the signing ceremony in the nation’s largest city, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire joined other like-minded nations and committed to the peaceful, transparent and responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.

“The United States and Côte d’Ivoire already cooperate on Earth,” said NASA’s Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “Today, we expand that partnership beyond it. Joining the Artemis Accords opens new opportunities for our scientists, engineers and institutions to work together as humanity returns to the Moon and prepares for what comes next. We’ve aligned on the principles. The opportunities are in front of us. And now we can get to work.”

The nation’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Adama Diawara signed on behalf of the country in a ceremony held during Africa Space Expo ASPEX 2026. Chargé d’affaires Junaid Munir from the U.S. Department of State witnessed the ceremony.

“This is a great achievement, and important for Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitions and for the rest of the African Union members,” said Director General of the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire Tidiane Outtara.

Côte d’Ivoire has expanded its involvement in space science and technology through years of international cooperation. Since 2019, the National Office of Technical Development of Côte d’Ivoire and NASA have collaborated on Earth observation and geodesy, a field that measures Earth’s shape, gravity and movement. Together, the partners have advanced global geodetic networks, improved space‑based measurement techniques, and increased understanding of how Earth’s systems interact.

The country later established the Space Agency of Côte d’Ivoire in 2025 to coordinate national efforts in Earth observation, space weather, astronomy, satellite navigation, and communications.

In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. The Artemis Accords are the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing transparency, safety and coordination among nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, committing nations to:

-- Explore peaceably and transparently
-- Render aid to those in need
-- Enable access to scientific data
-- Ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- Preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of exploration and innovation.

Source: NASA.Gov

Photos of the Day: A Quick Update on Virgin Galactic's Delta-class Spaceship...

Virgin Galactic

Just thought I'd share these two images of the new Delta-class Spaceship that Virgin Galactic is building at its Spaceship Factory in Mesa, Arizona.

In the photo above, the nearly-completed Spaceship is about to be mated to its VMS Eve mothership for a fit check. And in the picture below, the Spaceship was adorned with its purple color scheme a few months ago.

The first commercial flight of the Delta Spaceship is set to take place next February, while glide and flight tests should be commencing at New Mexico's Spaceport America by the end of this year.

A second Delta Spaceship is currently in production and will hopefully begin taking paying passengers to suborbital space by the second quarter of 2027! But as a reminder, it is now $750,000 per seat if you plan on flying with Virgin Galactic once it resumes commercial spaceline operations.

And yes, the VSS Unity is still flying...as shown below. Carry on!

Chief Engineer Gabe Williams takes you inside our Spaceship Factory in Mesa, AZ, for the first mate of our new spaceship and Eve. Attachment points lined up within thousandths of an inch.

Precision design. Precision build. Precision verification. pic.twitter.com/aD4EqUY0Uy

— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) September 24, 2026

VSS Unity completed its 34th flight today, the second in our Unity glide series preparing pilots and ops teams for the new spaceship flight test program. CJ Sturckow and Andy Edgell flew Unity; Dan Alix and Jameel Janjua flew VMS Eve. More on the glide series here →… pic.twitter.com/Z1uGlcv5Rs

— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) September 16, 2026

Nation #74 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

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

The Republic of Croatia became the 74th signatory to the Artemis Accords on Wednesday during a ceremony in the capital city of Zagreb, with NASA and U.S. Department of State officials present.

“It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Croatia as the latest signatory of the Artemis Accords,” said NASA Deputy Matt Anderson in pre-recorded remarks during the ceremony. “Joining the Artemis Accords opens another chapter. We’ve aligned on the principles. The opportunities to contribute are growing. And now we can look toward what the United States and Croatia can accomplish together beyond Earth. Humanity’s opportunities in space are endless, and we are proud to welcome Croatia to the Artemis Accords community.”

Croatia’s Minister of Science, Education, and Youth Radovan Fuchs signed on behalf of the country. U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nicole McGraw and Gregory Mann, NASA Europe representative, attended the event.

“Croatian scientists and companies are demonstrating growing interest in the space industry,” said Fuchs. “We have therefore decided to expand our international cooperation by joining the Artemis Accords. This international agreement has been recognized as a key opportunity for the robust development of Croatia’s scientific community, the introduction of new technologies, and the strengthening of the economy.”

Croatia marked a major milestone with the successful launch of its first satellite, CroCube, on December 21, 2024. The satellite reached orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, highlighting Croatia’s growing technological capabilities and interest in space collaboration.

NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords in 2020, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies.

The Artemis Accords are the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing transparency, safety and coordination among like-minded nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, committing nations to:

-- Explore peaceably and transparently
-- Render aid to those in need
-- Enable access to scientific data
-- Ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- Preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of space exploration and innovation.

Source: NASA.Gov

Nation #73 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA / Bill Ingalls

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

The Republic of Albania signed the Artemis Accords Monday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, joining the coalition of like‑minded nations committed to the responsible and transparent exploration of space.

“It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Albania as the 73rd signatory of the Artemis Accords,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “The relationship between our nations goes back more than a century. Today, we extend that partnership into space.”

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha signed on behalf of the country. Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the United States Ervin Bushati and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson also participated in the event.

“It is a great honor for Albania to join the growing community of nations that have signed these important Artemis Accords,” said Hoxha in remarks during the ceremony. “By taking this step, Albania affirms its commitment to peaceful, transparent, sustainable and cooperative exploration of space. We do so as a country deeply committed to international law, multilateral cooperation, and the belief that humanity’s greatest achievements are realized not in isolation, but through partnerships.”

Marking a significant step in Albania’s efforts to strengthen its use of space‑based data, Albania launched two dedicated Earth‑observation satellites, Albania‑1 and Albania‑2, in January 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an example of how the United States is supporting Albania’s capabilities in space.

Albania has also played an active role in NASA’s Space Apps Challenge, hosting local events that connected students, technologists and innovators with NASA’s openly-available Earth and space science data. NASA Space Apps is the world’s largest annual global hackathon, mobilizing participants in more than 150 countries to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges using open data from NASA and partner space agencies to advance exploration for the benefit of all.

In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. They introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety and coordination between nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, committing nations to:

-- Explore peaceably and transparently
-- Render aid to those in need
-- Enable access to scientific data
-- Ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- Preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of space exploration and innovation.

Source: NASA.Gov

The Left SRB Continues to be Stacked on the Mobile Launcher for the Next Flight of SLS...

NASA / Frank Michaux

Artemis III Booster Stacking Coverage (Photo Release)

Technicians integrate the left forward booster segment for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket onto the left booster segments atop the Mobile Launcher in High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida - on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

The SLS rocket’s twin boosters, each made up of five segments manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, will provide more than 75 percent of the rocket’s total thrust at launch.

The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Frank Michaux

Nation #72 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA / Bill Ingalls

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

The Republic of Djibouti became the 72nd nation and eighth African country to sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony Monday at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The Artemis Accords are the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing transparency, safety and coordination among nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond.

“Djibouti joins this coalition of like-minded nations at an important time,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, who hosted the ceremony. “NASA will lead, but we will not do it alone. We are creating opportunities for Artemis Accords nations to contribute hardware, scientific payloads, technology demonstrations, CubeSats and other capabilities to future missions.”

Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States Mohamed Siad Douale signed on behalf of Djibouti. U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Frank Garcia also participated in the event.

Djibouti’s national space program, launched in 2020 and managed by the Centre for Studies and Research of Djibouti within the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, has steadily expanded its technical capabilities. The nation successfully launched its first satellites, Djibouti 1A and Djibouti 1B, in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Both reached orbit aboard American Falcon 9 rockets launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, an early example of how the U.S. is supporting Djibouti capabilities in space.

“By joining the Artemis Accords, Djibouti seeks to deepen its partnership with the United States and with the growing community of nations committed to peaceful space cooperation,” said Douale. “We look forward to building partnerships in scientific research, satellite applications, education and technical training, while creating new opportunities for Djibouti students, researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs.”

In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies, and committing nations to:

-- Explore peaceably and transparently
-- Render aid to those in need
-- Enable access to scientific data
-- Ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- Preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of space exploration and innovation.

Source: NASA.Gov

Both SRBs Continue to be Stacked on the Mobile Launcher for the Next Flight of SLS...

NASA / Cory S Huston

Artemis III Right Forward Booster Installed (Photo Release)

In High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the left and right forward center boosters for Artemis III are integrated onto the booster segments on the Mobile Launcher for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket - on Friday, September 11, 2026.

The twin boosters, comprising of five segments each manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, will provide more than 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s total thrust at launch.

The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Cory S Huston

Two Members of Orion's First Crewed Lunar Flight Have Moved to a New Stage in their Careers...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

NASA Names Two Artemis II Astronauts to Emeritus Program (News Release)

Following their landmark Artemis II mission earlier this year, distinguished NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman are transitioning in September to emeritus status at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

In an emeritus role, individuals with a high degree of technical and professional knowledge can continue to support the agency by donating their time to train and mentor the current workforce. This allows the agency to maintain access to top talent in a specialized consultant role, while simultaneously providing the individual with the flexibility to pursue other opportunities.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Reid and Victor for years, and both exemplify the leadership, character and commitment that define NASA at its best,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Reid commanded Artemis II after previously spending 165 days aboard the International Space Station, while Victor brought his experience as a naval aviator, test pilot, and Crew-1 astronaut to his role as pilot. Together, they took on one of the most challenging missions in human spaceflight and helped return America to the lunar environment.

"As Reid and Victor transition to emeritus status, I’m grateful they will continue sharing what they learned with our astronauts, flight controllers, and engineers as we prepare for Artemis III in 2027 and the missions that follow.”

Glover will support aerospace, leadership and public service efforts as he transitions within and outside of NASA. He’s committed to transferring his knowledge of Orion and its spacecraft systems, among other expertise, to future Artemis missions.

“As I grow into this new role, NASA and spaceflight remain a meaningful part of my journey of service,” said Glover. “I’m excited to keep uplifting my friends and cheering them on as they reach for the Moon. Together, we’ll keep pushing boundaries and inspiring the next giant leap.”

Wiseman is set to share his spaceflight experience with colleagues ahead of the agency’s Artemis III mission in low-Earth orbit to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial human landing systems.

“There is no better place to work, and there are no better people to work with, than those in this agency,” said Wiseman. “NASA gave me tremendous responsibility, supported me through two space missions, and my time as chief astronaut, and was always there for my family when we needed it most. I’m thrilled to continue serving future missions and programs through the emeritus program.”

“Reid and Victor’s commitment to exploration, steady leadership, and service to our astronaut corps and our nation have made a lasting impact,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Throughout their careers, they have each brought excellence, humility and purpose to every role they have held at NASA. Their contributions have helped advance our mission and inspire those around them, leaving a legacy that will continue to shape the future of human spaceflight. We are immeasurably grateful for all they have given to NASA and are glad that this is not the end of their journey with the agency.”

“Reid and Victor are trusted teammates whose professionalism, calm leadership, and unwavering commitment to NASA have strengthened our office and inspired everyone around them,” said Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson. “As they transition into their emeritus roles, they leave a legacy of operational excellence that will continue shaping the astronaut corps for years to come. We’re grateful that they will still be part of our community, sharing their experience and insight as they begin this next chapter.”

Among their many accomplishments at NASA, as Artemis II crew members, Glover and Wiseman were two of the four astronauts to first launch on top of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket aboard the Orion spacecraft for a mission around the Moon. Following a 10-day mission with crewmates NASA astronaut Christina Koch and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, they safely splashed down on April 10 as the first humans to travel to lunar orbit in more than 50 years, ultimately flying farther in space than anyone had before.

Support and knowledge transfer from both Glover and Wiseman is critical for the upcoming Artemis III mission as NASA prepares to return American astronauts to the lunar surface on the Artemis IV mission in 2028.

Source: NASA.Gov

Nation #71 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release - September 1)

During a ceremony hosted by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman at the agency’s headquarters in Washington on Monday, the Republic of Türkiye signed the Artemis Accords, joining the growing international coalition of like-minded nations dedicated to peaceful, transparent space exploration.

Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır signed on behalf of Türkiye. The President of the Turkish Space Agency Yusuf Kıraç, and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment Connor Tomlinson, also participated in the event.

Türkiye’s recent achievements in human spaceflight underscore its commitment to space exploration. In 2024, the country’s first astronaut, Alper Gezervaci, traveled to the International Space Station on Axiom Mission 3 and conducted scientific research alongside NASA astronauts. That same year, a second Turkish astronaut, Tuva Atasever, flew on Virgin Galactic 07 suborbital mission, conducting experiments and physiology research.

Türkiye will soon launch its first lunar mission, AYAP-1, joining the small but growing group of countries building and launching their own satellites to the Moon.

The country’s signing also comes as the country prepares to host the International Astronautical Congress in Antalya this October. Dozens of Artemis Accords signatories are expected to attend to discuss the future of peaceful and transparent space exploration.

In 2020, NASA and the State Department joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. They introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety and coordination between nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, committing nations to:

-- explore peaceably and transparently
-- render aid to those in need
-- enable access to scientific data
-- ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of space exploration and innovation.

Source: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye

An SRB for the Next SLS Rocket Continues to Grow Taller...

NASA / Cory S Huston

Artemis III LFC Booster Segment Mated (Photo Release)

Technicians inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida complete integration of the left forward center solid rocket booster segment onto the left center center booster segment for the Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on the Mobile Launcher inside High Bay 3 - on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The twin boosters, comprising of five segments each and manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, provide more than 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s total thrust at liftoff.

The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Cory S Huston

The Third SLS Core Stage Booster Has Reached a Big Milestone...

NASA / Clayton Rougelot

Artemis III RS-25 Engine Processing: #4 Lift (Photo Release)

Technicians complete installation of all four RS-25 SLS (Space Launch System) rocket engines on the work stand for integration with the Artemis III core stage rocket on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During Artemis III, the four RS-25 engines will launch SLS, the Orion spacecraft and its crew of four into low-Earth orbit, generating more than two million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Clayton Rougelot

Both SRBs Continue to be Stacked on the Mobile Launcher for the Next Flight of SLS...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

Artemis III Booster Stacking (Photo Release - August 28)

Technicians inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida complete integration of the left and right center center solid rocket booster segment onto the left and right aft center booster segment for the Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on the Mobile Launcher inside High Bay 3 - on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The twin boosters, comprising of five segments each manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, will provide more than 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s total thrust at launch.

The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Kim Shiflett

Another Update on the Third SLS Core Stage Booster...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

Artemis III RS-25 Engines Installed (Photo Release)

Technicians install three of four RS-25 SLS (Space Launch System) rocket engines on the work stand for integration with the Artemis III core stage rocket on Friday, August 28, 2026, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During Artemis III, the four RS-25 engines will launch the Orion spacecraft and its crew of four into low-Earth orbit, generating more than two million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Kim Shiflett

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

NASA / Clayton Rougelot

Artemis III RS-25 Engine Processing: #3 Lift (Photo Release)

The first of four RS-25 SLS (Space Launch System) rocket engines is installed on the work stand and integrated with the Artemis III core stage rocket on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During Artemis III, the four RS‑25 engines will launch the Orion spacecraft and its crew of four into low-Earth orbit, generating more than two million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Clayton Rougelot


NASA / Clayton Rougelot


NASA / Clayton Rougelot


NASA / Clayton Rougelot


NASA / Clayton Rougelot

Assembly Has Begun on the Sixth Space Launch System!

Michael DeMocker

Production Begins on Artemis VI Core Stage Hardware (Photo Release)

Teams at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans continue to make progress manufacturing core stages for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. In August, teams with NASA and Boeing, SLS core stage prime contractor, completed the first ring for the sixth SLS core stage. The core stage rings are welded together through a friction-stir welding process.

A completed ring is 27.6 feet in diameter and serves as a connection point to join the large core stage structures together. The rings also provide structural stability to the bottom of the domes.

The 212-foot-tall SLS rocket core stage is made up of 10 major barrel sections, four dome sections, and seven rings. The components come together to form the five major sections of the core stage – the engine section, liquid hydrogen tank, intertank, liquid oxygen tank, and forward skirt.

Source: NASA.Gov

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Michael DeMocker

Assembly of the Twin SRBs for the Next SLS Rocket Moves Closer to Completion...

NASA / Cory Huston

Artemis III Nose Cone Arrival (Photo Release)

The left, with black stripe, and right aerodynamic forward assemblies for the twin SLS (Space Launch System) solid rocket boosters for Artemis III arrive at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida - on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

The nose cones will be integrated atop the SLS boosters to provide a smooth, pointed shape that allows the boosters to cut through the atmosphere efficiently, reducing drag and keeping the rocket stable during ascent.

Artemis III will carry out a series of objectives in low-Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV. 

Source: NASA.Gov

Both SRBs Continue to be Stacked on the Mobile Launcher for the Next Flight of SLS...

NASA / Cory S Huston

Assembly of the Artemis III SLS rocket RAC (Photo Release)

In High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the left and right aft center booster segments for Artemis III are lowered onto their aft assembly segments for integration on the Mobile Launcher for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

The twin boosters, comprising of five segments each manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, will provide more than 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s total thrust at launch.

The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Cory S Huston

The Latest Update on the Fifth Space Launch System...

Morgan Parker

Artemis V Engine Section Barrel Enters Vertical Assembly Center (Photo Release)

Teams at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans load the 25-foot-long engine section barrel into the vertical assembly center on August 5, 2026. The engine section will be used on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket’s core stage for the agency’s Artemis V mission. On the vertical assembly center tooling, teams will mate the flight hardware to a ring, which will serve as an attachment point for the liquid hydrogen tank later in the production process.

The engine section is one of five major elements that make up the 212-foot-tall SLS rocket stage; and houses various avionic systems, the engine thrust structure, and four RS-25 engines. The core stage produces 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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Morgan Parker

ISS Update: Science Experiments on the Orbital Outpost Contribute to Medical Breakthroughs Down on Earth...

NASA

Space Station Research Informs New FDA-Approved Cancer Therapy (News Release)

NASA opens the International Space Station for scientists and researchers, inviting them to use the benefits of microgravity for commercial and public research, technology demonstrations, and more. Today, a portion of the crew’s time aboard station is devoted to private industry, including medical research that addresses complex health challenges on Earth and prepares astronauts for future deep space missions.

In collaboration with scientists at Merck, protein crystal growth research on the space station yielded early insights regarding the structure and size of particles best suited for the development of a new formulation of the company’s cancer medicine pembrolizumab for subcutaneous injection. This new route of delivery was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last September and offers a time-saving alternative to intravenous infusion for certain patients. These research efforts aboard the space station were supported by the ISS National Laboratory.

Originally, the treatment was delivered during an in-office visit via infusion therapy into the patient’s veins, a process that could take up to two hours. Initial delivery improvements reduced infusion times to less than 30 minutes every three weeks. The newly-approved subcutaneous injectable form takes about one minute every three weeks, promising to improve quality of life for patients by reducing cost and significantly reducing treatment time for patients and healthcare providers.

Since 2014, Merck has flown crystal growth experiments to the space station to better understand how crystals form, including the monoclonal antibody used in this cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that help the body fight diseases. This research focused on producing crystalline suspensions that dissolve easily in liquid, making it possible to deliver the medication by injection.

In microgravity, the absence of gravity’s physical forces allows scientists to grow larger, more uniform, and higher-quality crystals than those grown in ground-based labs, advancing medication development and structural modeling.

Research aboard the space station has provided valuable insights into how gravity influences crystallization, helping to improve drug formulations. The work of NASA and its partners aboard the space station improves lives on Earth, grows a commercial economy in low-Earth orbit, and prepares for human exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov

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Merck

The Latest Update on the Next Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle...

NASA / Amber Jean Notvest

Artemis III Orion Crew and Service Module Mate (Photo Release)

Engineers finish connecting the Artemis III Orion crew and service modules on Friday, July 31, 2026, inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Now integrated, the team will power up the combined crew and service module for the first time then begin altitude chamber testing, which will put the spacecraft through conditions as close as possible to the environment that it will experience in low-Earth orbit.

Artemis III and the four-person crew will carry out a series of objectives in low-Earth orbit designed to demonstrate critical systems needed for future lunar landings, beginning with Artemis IV. 

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Amber Jean Notvest

A Successful Flight for Starship Today...

SpaceX

Cool image. I look forward to seeing a similar shot of Starship (minus the Raptor engines firing since the vehicle will already be parked in low-Earth orbit) as well as Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander from aboard the Orion capsule on NASA's Artemis 3 mission next year!

Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on the 13th flight test of Starship! pic.twitter.com/g27YJCQgiN

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 24, 2026

Another Update on the Third SLS Core Stage Booster...

NASA / Sam Lott

NASA Technicians Weld Final Panel for New SLS Hardware (Photo Release)

These images show the spacer that will be used on NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) for the Artemis III mission.

At NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, technicians complete the eighth and final friction stir weld on the barrel section. With the barrel now removed from the Vertical Weld Tool, inspections are underway.

The next major milestone will be the installation of the top and bottom rings.

The spacer will take the place of the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) on Artemis III, with the ICPS reassigned for use on the Artemis IV mission.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Sam Lott

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

NASA / Ben Smegelsky

Artemis III RS-25 Engine Processing (Photo Release)

All four RS-25 SLS (Space Launch System) rocket engines - built by L3 Harris Technologies - were delivered to NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Artemis III mission, on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

The engines arrived from NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and will be installed in the SLS rocket's core stage for integration atop the Mobile Launcher.

During Artemis III the engines will propel the Orion spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, into low-Earth orbit - providing over two million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Source: NASA.Gov

Nation #70 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Mauritius as 70th Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release)

The Republic of Mauritius has officially joined the global coalition committed to responsible space exploration, becoming the newest signatory and seventh African country to join the Artemis Accords. NASA’s Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson contributed video remarks for a signing ceremony on Friday, in the island nation’s city of Ébène.

“We are honored to welcome Mauritius to the Artemis Accords community and look forward to working together in the years ahead,” said Anderson. “Together, we are creating the foundation for future exploration while ensuring that space remains peaceful, accessible and beneficial for all. America will return to the Moon and ignite the Golden Age of exploration and discovery. That work requires capable partners and a shared commitment to responsible exploration.”

Mauritius’ Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research Navindsing Jugmohunsing signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the country. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Sarah Troutman and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Mauritius Craig Halbmaier were present to witness the signing.

“The accession of Mauritius to the Artemis Accords marks a defining chapter in our New Space journey,” said Jugmohunsing. “As a Small Island Developing State in the Indian Ocean, we are committed to ensuring that space serves humanity by protecting our oceans and coastlines and amplifying the voices of nations like ours. Mauritius stands ready to help shape the future of space governance while unlocking new opportunities for innovation and partnership.”

NASA first engaged with Mauritius through its early global mapping efforts, owing to the nation’s strategic location. Between 1965 and 1980, NASA used several satellite missions to collect global measurements of Earth’s size and shape. As part of that work, NASA sent teams to Mauritius and other international tracking stations that supported satellite photography for geodetic analysis.

The teams' observations strengthened the navigation technologies used from Apollo to Artemis and helped lay the foundation for the partnership reaffirmed today by the Artemis Accords.

In 2020, NASA and the Department of State joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. They introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety and coordination between like-minded nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, committing nations to:

-- explore peaceably and transparently
-- render aid to those in need
-- enable access to scientific data
-- ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

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

Nation #69 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

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

The Republic of Serbia signed the Artemis Accords on Thursday during a ceremony hosted by NASA at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, becoming the 69th nation to join a large community of like-minded nations committed to the peaceful, transparent and responsible exploration of space.

“Serbia’s connection to NASA reaches back to the Apollo program, when the work of Serbian engineers helped make some of humanity’s greatest achievements in space possible,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. “Among them was Milojko ‘Mike’ Vučelić, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for the critical role he played in bringing the Apollo 13 crew safely home. Their story stands as a reminder that the greatest achievements in space are made possible by talented people working together.”

The broader team of Serbian American engineers played key roles during the Apollo era across systems engineering, propulsion, power systems, spacecraft docking, electronics reliability, and mission coordination. Their expertise supported critical functions ranging from lunar landing analysis to safe spacecraft docking.

Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Đurić signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the country.

“The great beyond has always inspired humanity to achieve its greatest feats — from the Roman ‘per aspera ad astra’ to Norman Vincent Peale’s belief that if we aim for the Moon, we will at least land among the stars,” said Đurić. “Those words feel especially fitting today. We come from a nation of great minds like Nikola Tesla and Milutin Milanković, but also from the legacy of David Vujic, one of the pioneers of the Apollo missions and a member of the ‘Serbian Seven,’ a group of engineers and technicians whose contributions to NASA helped make the Moon landing possible. In that spirit, we owe it to both our brave ancestors and our children to keep pushing toward new frontiers — to explore, to inspire one another, and to dare even greater things.”

By signing the Artemis Accords, nations open the door to opportunities for future lunar exploration with NASA, such as providing science and technology payloads for the U.S.-led Moon Base and CubeSats for upcoming Artemis missions, advancing humanity’s return to the Moon, and shaping the Golden Age of space exploration and innovation.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the United States Dragan Šutanovac; State Secretary for Serbia’s Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation Marija Gnjatović; and U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Wesley Brooks all participated in Serbia’s signing ceremony.

In 2020, NASA and the Department of State joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies. They introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety and coordination between nations as they explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, committing nations to:

-- explore peaceably and transparently
-- render aid to those in need
-- enable access to scientific data
-- ensure that activities do not interfere with those of others
-- preserve historically significant sites and artifacts by developing best practices

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

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

NASA

Artemis III RS-25 Engine Processing at KSC (Photo Release)

Teams at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida offload the third of four RS-25 SLS (Space Launch System) rocket engines built by L3 Harris Technologies for the agency's Artemis III mission on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, inside the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building.

The SLS rocket will use four RS-25 engines in the core stage to propel the Orion spacecraft into orbit providing over two million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

As part of the Golden Age of innovation and exploration, NASA will send Artemis astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery and economic benefits, establish an enduring human presence on the lunar surface, and build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA

Both SLS SRBs Are Ready to be Fully Assembled on the Mobile Launcher...

NASA / Frank Michaux

Artemis III Booster Stacking Coverage (Photo Release)

The left-hand and right-hand aft assembly solid rocket booster segments for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket are secured to the Mobile Launcher at the agency’s Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida - on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The twin boosters, manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, will provide more than 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s total thrust at launch.

The Artemis III mission will launch astronauts in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Frank Michaux

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

NASA / Eric Bordelon & Michael DeMocker

Artemis IV Liquid Hydrogen Tank Completes Proof Testing (Photo Release)

Crews at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans transport the 130-foot-tall liquid hydrogen tank from the proof testing building to the main factory on July 10. The liquid hydrogen tank will form part of the core stage for the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for the agency’s Artemis IV mission, providing thousands of gallons of super-cold propellant to the rocket engines during launch. Soon, teams with SLS prime contractor, Boeing, will move the tank into the facility’s vertical assembly building for cleaning operations.

The liquid hydrogen propellant tank is one of five major elements that make up the 212-foot-tall SLS rocket stage. The core stage, along with its four RS-25 engines at its base, 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

The Third SLS Rocket Has Begun Taking Shape at KSC!

NASA / Ben Smegelsky

Artemis III Booster Stacking Coverage - LH Aft Assembly (Photo Release)

Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems lowered and secured the left-hand aft assembly solid rocket booster segment for NASA’s Artemis III SLS (Space Launch System) rocket to the Mobile Launcher at the agency’s Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

The twin boosters, manufactured by Northrop Grumman in Utah, will provide more than 75 percent of the SLS rocket’s total thrust at launch.

The Artemis III mission will launch crew in the Orion spacecraft on top of the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft needed to land astronauts on the Moon.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Ben Smegelsky