Another Orbital Outpost Is in the Works (Hopefully)...

Vast

Vast Announces Haven-2, Its Proposed Space Station Designed to Succeed the International Space Station (Press Release - October 14)

Future Space Station’s Advanced Capabilities Projected to Surpass the ISS at an Unprecedented Low Cost to Government and Commercial Customers

During the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Vast, the U.S.-based space habitation technology company, unveiled Haven-2 — the proposed successor to the International Space Station (ISS) and the next step in the company’s vision to pioneer a path to long-term living and thriving in space.

With the planned retirement of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030, NASA conceived the Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program and is expected to select its Phase 2 winner(s) in mid-2026. Laser-focused on securing this prestigious contract to build the successor to the ISS, Vast has developed Haven-2, designed to offer the most compelling solution to ensure continued U.S. and international partner presence in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

“Our focus this decade is to win the NASA Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) contract and build the successor to the International Space Station,” said Max Haot, Vast CEO. “To achieve this, we will first demonstrate our capability by building and operating the world’s first commercial space station, Haven-1, which is set to launch in 2025.”

Haven-2: The Future of Commercial Space Stations

If selected in 2026, Vast plans to have the first module of Haven-2, an evolved and NASA-certified version of Haven-1, fully operational in orbit by 2028. This near-term timeline is made possible by leveraging Vast's significant private investment in the design, build, launch and operation of Haven-1. The first Haven-2 Module will be 5 meters longer than Haven-1, offering nearly twice the livable volume of its predecessor while utilizing all the same proven systems.

Vast’s demonstrated progress with Haven-1, combined with architecture based on this proven heritage, positions the company as the best choice to safeguard U.S. and international partner interests in space.

Scalable, Cost-Efficient Expansion of Haven-2

Following the deployment of the first Haven-2 module, Vast plans to build and launch three additional modules over a two-year period. These modules will adhere to the same efficient and cost-effective design template, further expanding the station's usable volume, enhancing available facilities, and efficiently delivering additional critical life support systems and consumables.

With each successive Haven-2 module delivery, Vast will introduce more advanced and efficient life support technologies. Each subsequent module will feature expanded payload facilities while maintaining the same fundamental module design and heritage.

Andrew Feustel, a Vast advisor and veteran NASA astronaut with over 23 years of experience and three missions to the ISS, provided input into the features of the station design, noting that the potential for international collaboration is continued into the station’s architecture: “Haven-2 is being designed with compatibility in mind, ensuring that international partners can integrate seamlessly into this next-generation platform. This vision of global cooperation in space will create opportunities for scientific and technological advancements, benefiting new and current sovereign partners as well as industries around the world.”

Haven-2 features the Haven-2 Lab, which offers state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to support a wide range of microgravity research and in-space manufacturing. With more volume and power capacity than its predecessor, Haven-1, the Haven-2 Lab accommodates larger payloads and laboratory equipment, provides extensive integration options for experiments and specialized equipment, and increases operational flexibility while ensuring ample power and thermal control for high-demand projects.

Additionally, the Haven-2 Lab meets all of NASA’s Basic Laboratory Capabilities for the CLD program, aligning with the highest standards for orbital research facility readiness.

To foster international collaboration, the Haven-2 Lab also offers the option to dedicate an entire module or a specific laboratory facility to international partners, creating opportunities for global participation in microgravity research.

2030 and Beyond: Full Capability of Haven-2 Realized

Between 2030 and 2032, Vast will add a larger 7-meter diameter core module and four more Haven-2 modules, fully realizing the next-generation commercial space station capable of meeting the needs of international partners, NASA, commercial researchers & manufacturers, and private astronauts.

Key features of the completed station include an unprecedented 3.8-meter diameter cupola window, external payload hosting capabilities, a robotic arm, visiting vehicle berthing capabilities, external payload airlock, and an extravehicular activity (EVA) airlock to support customers' needs. Each module will also feature two Haven-1-like 1.1-meter dome windows, totaling 16 windows by 2032.

Vast’s design is projected to surpass all other proposed on-orbit space stations in terms of volume, functionality and operational efficiency. With unparalleled capabilities, Haven-2 will be the benchmark for next-generation space stations, ensuring that the U.S. and its international partners continue to lead and foster the LEO economy.

Earlier this week, Vast unveiled its final Haven-1 design — introducing never-before-seen features to support productivity and microgravity lab advancements. Haven-2 will iterate upon this visionary design philosophy.

Source: VastSpace.com

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The Latest Update on Artemis 3 and Beyond...

Axiom Space / Prada

Axiom Space, Prada Unveil Spacesuit Design for Moon Return (News Release)

At the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy, Axiom Space and Prada revealed for the first time today the flight design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit that will be used for NASA’s Artemis III mission.

The outer-layer design and materials work was jointly developed starting when the two industry leaders came together, blending creativity and engineering to enhance the next-generation spacesuit design.

“Our elite teams have redefined spacesuit development, establishing new pathways to innovative solutions and applying a state-of-the-art design approach for the AxEMU,” said Matt Ondler, Axiom Space President. “We have broken the mold. The Axiom Space-Prada partnership has set a new foundational model for cross-industry collaboration, further expanding what’s possible in commercial space.”

During development, Axiom Space used a dark cover layer for display purposes only to conceal the suit’s proprietary technology. However, the spacesuit worn on the lunar surface will be made from a white material that reflects heat and protects astronauts from extreme high temperatures and lunar dust.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility said, “Going beyond our limits is one of the company’s values that perfectly reflects the spirit of the Prada brand and my parents’ vision. I’m very proud of the result we’re showing today, which is just the first step in a long-term collaboration with Axiom Space. We’ve shared our expertise on high-performance materials, features and sewing techniques, and we learned a lot. I’m sure we’ll continue to explore new challenges, broaden our horizons, and build new scenarios together.”

Prada’s in-depth knowledge and experience on materials and production processes supported innovative work in addition to the spacesuit cover layer. Prada’s design and product development team worked alongside Axiom Space engineers on customized material recommendations and features that would both protect astronauts against the unique challenges of the lunar environment and visually inspire future space exploration.

Prada’s expertise enabled advanced technologies and innovative sewing methods to bridge the gap between highly-engineered functionality and an aesthetically-appealing white outer layer, providing astronauts with an increased level of comfort while improving the materials’ performance.

The AxEMU program epitomizes how the commercial space industry is enabling non-traditional partnerships to enhance space exploration capabilities. Since being awarded its first Artemis task order in 2022, valued at $228 million, Axiom Space has capitalized on the public-private agreement with NASA, seeking out renowned experts in diverse industries to aid in developing and designing this next-generation spacesuit.

“We are pioneering a new era in space exploration where partnerships are imperative to the commercialization of space,” said Russell Ralston, Executive Vice President of Extravehicular Activity, Axiom Space. “Partnerships build a strong, cohesive team, enabling industry experts to provide cutting-edge technology, specialized products and services to drive innovation. For the first time, we are leveraging expertise in other industries to craft a better solution for space.”

AxEMU Development

Advancing NASA’s Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) spacesuit design, the AxEMU provides increased flexibility, performance and safety, as well as specialized tools to aid in exploring the lunar south pole. The suit accommodates a wide range of crewmembers, including males and females from the first to 99th percentile (anthropomorphic sizing).

The AxEMU will withstand extreme temperatures at the lunar south pole and endure the coldest temperatures in the permanently shadowed regions for at least two hours. Astronauts will be able to perform spacewalks for at least eight hours.

The AxEMU incorporates multiple redundant systems and an onboard diagnostic system to ensure safety for crewmembers. The suit also uses a regenerable carbon dioxide scrubbing system and a robust cooling technology to remove heat from the system.

The AxEMU includes advanced coatings on the helmet and visor to enhance the astronauts’ view of their surroundings, as well as custom gloves made in-house featuring several advancements over the gloves used today. The spacesuit architecture includes life support systems, pressure garments, avionics and other innovative systems to meet exploration needs and expand scientific opportunities.

Axiom Space developed the AxEMU using a single, foundational architecture. The architecture is evolvable, scalable and adaptable for missions on the lunar surface and in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Axiom Space has iteratively improved this next-gen spacesuit over the past two years to support the Artemis III mission. The AxEMU has undergone extensive testing and simulations with a wide range of astronauts and engineers at state-of-the-art Axiom Space, SpaceX and NASA facilities.

Testing was conducted underwater to simulate the lunar environment with an unoccupied spacesuit at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and reduced gravity simulations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

The AxEMU suit is nearing the final developmental stage. It completed a successful pressurized simulation with Artemis III partners – NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space – marking the first test of its kind since the Apollo era.

The AxEMU will continue to undergo testing including crewed underwater tests at the NBL facility, integrated tests with the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle prototypes, and will enter the critical design review phase in 2025.

Source: Axiom Space

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Axiom Space / Prada

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

NASA

Gateway Refuelling Module Gets a Boost (News Release - October 14)

ESA and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract amendment today at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan to extend the Lunar View refuelling module for the lunar Gateway.

The amendment concerns ESA’s Lunar View, a crucial element for the Gateway which will supply the lunar station with xenon and chemical propellants to extend its lifetime, as well as provide a pressurised volume with six large windows, where astronauts will be able to store cargo and supplies and enjoy a 360° view of the outside of Gateway and the Moon.

As a result of NASA’s choice to launch Lunar View aboard the larger and more powerful version of the SLS launcher, ESA and Thales Alenia Space have agreed to significantly increase the size of Lunar View, which will now span 4.6 metres wide and be 6.4 metres long, with a total mass of 10 metric tonnes (versus the initial measurements of 3.4 metres wide, 3 metres long and 6 metric tonnes). This increase will allow:

- more storage space to accommodate up to 1.5 tonnes of cargo at launch, reducing resupply flights to the lunar outpost
- installation of two attachment points on Lunar View to accommodate the Canadian Space Agency’s robotic arm Canadarm3
- housing the avionics suite equipment inside the module for easier maintenance

ESA selected Thales Alenia Space in France as the main contractor to develop the module, which is in the preliminary design phase until next year, after which a detailed design phase will occur followed by manufacturing. Initially, the pressurised structure of the module will be built in Turin by Thales Alenia Space, with contributions also from Thales Alenia Space in the United Kingdom and OHB.

Once built, the module will be tested before delivery to NASA ahead of its launch.

The Artemis V mission will bring Lunar View to the Gateway, propelled towards the station by the Orion spacecraft and its powerhouse, the European Service Module. There, it will meet ESA’s Lunar I-Hab as well as NASA’s power and propulsion module PPE and habitation module HALO, on which ESA’s Lunar Link will be attached.

Source: European Space Agency

Nation #45 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Estonia as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release - October 13)

While in Milan for international meetings, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson was among the witnesses as Estonia signed the Artemis Accords and became the 45th nation to join the United States and other signatories agreeing to the safe, transparent and responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.

The signing ceremony took place ahead of Italy hosting the 75th International Astronautical Congress beginning on Monday, October 14, where government and space officials from signatory countries will discuss advancing implementation of the Artemis Accords, among other topics.

“We welcome Estonia’s signing of the Artemis Accords, which will open the door for more international collaboration,” said Nelson. “This decision also strengthens our family of nations, united by a common cause, and builds on our commitment to explore space for the benefit of humanity under the sound principles of the accords.”

Erkki Keldo, Estonia’s minister of economy and industry, signed the Artemis Accords. Rahima Kandahari, deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. State Department and Lisa Campbell, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) president, also participated in the event.

“Estonia is well-known as the leading country in e-governance, and it is a great honor for us to enter a next level in space exploration,” said Keldo. “We are more than interested to share our knowledge with the global space community to make future collaboration in space exploration a success for humankind. I am sure that joining the Artemis Accords will open attractive opportunities to Estonian enterprises too, to share their valuable knowledge and competences.”

In 2020, the United States and seven other nations were the first to sign the Artemis Accords, which identified an early set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity. The 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.

The commitments of the Artemis Accords and efforts by the signatories to advance implementation of these principles support the safe and sustainable exploration of space. More countries are expected to sign in the coming weeks and months.

Source: NASA.Gov

SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy Booster Successfully Returned to Starbase on Its First Landing Attempt!

SpaceX

Early this morning, SpaceX began a new era of rocket reusability when its Starship Super Heavy vehicle—launching on Integrated Flight Test 5 (IFT-5)—successfully lifted off from Starbase in Texas...with Booster 12 flawlessly returning to Starbase's first Orbital Launch Tower and being grappled by the structure's mechazilla arms seven minutes later.

IFT-5 completely went off without a hitch following liftoff at 7:25 AM, Central Time (12:25 PM, UTC), with Booster 12 ready to be examined on the ground by engineers to see how its systems fared during the flight (and most likely get prepped for a second launch in the future). Ship 30 successfully reached its target landing zone in the Indian Ocean and splashed down over an hour after liftoff...before exploding minutes after impact. Ship 30 was never intended to be recovered by SpaceX after IFT-5.

With this fifth flight test triumphantly in the books, it remains to be seen when IFT-6 will occur. The Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX approval to conduct a sixth test whenever it wanted assuming that Ship 30 and Booster 12 performed as expected today. And performed as expected they did!


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SpaceX

Splashdown confirmed! Congratulations to the entire SpaceX team on an exciting fifth flight test of Starship! pic.twitter.com/FhCGznq9RO

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 13, 2024

Nation #44 Has Joined NASA's Moon Exploration Initiative...

NASA

NASA Welcomes Dominican Republic as 44th Artemis Accords Signatory (News Release)

The Dominican Republic is the latest nation to sign the Artemis Accords and joins 43 other countries in a commitment to advancing principles for the safe, transparent and responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond with NASA.

“NASA is proud to welcome the Dominican Republic signing of the Artemis Accords as we expand the peaceful exploration of space to all nations,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “The Dominican Republic has made important strides toward a shared future in space and is now helping guide space exploration for the Artemis Generation.”

Sonia Guzmán, ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United States, signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the country on October 4. The country will also confirm its participation in a high-level meeting of Artemis Accords signatories taking place next Monday, October 14, during the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, where furthering implementation of the principles will be discussed.

“This marks a historic step in our commitment to international collaboration in space exploration,” said Guzmán. “This is not just a scientific or technological milestone – it represents a future where the Dominican Republic contributes to the shared goals of peace, sustainability and innovation beyond our planet. By joining the global effort to explore the Moon, Mars and beyond, we are also expanding the opportunities particularly for our young Dominicans in science, education and economic development.”

In 2020, the United States and seven other nations were the first to sign the Artemis Accords, which identified an early set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity. The 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.

The commitments of the Artemis Accords and efforts by the signatories to advance implementation of these principles support the safe and sustainable exploration of space. More countries are expected to sign in the coming weeks and months.

Source: NASA.Gov

SLS Update: ML-1 Is Back at the Barn to Begin Artemis 2 Launch Preps...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

NASA’s Mobile Launcher Back at Vehicle Assembly Building (News Release - October 4)

After spending several months undergoing integrated testing and upgrades at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the agency’s Mobile Launcher 1 is now inside the Vehicle Assembly Building in preparation for integration of the Artemis II Moon rocket.

The 4.2-mile trek from Launch Complex 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building along the crawlerway normally takes eight to 12 hours atop NASA’s Crawler-Transporter 2, though teams paused the roll operations several times as planned to ensure that the operation teams had scheduled breaks and rest. The operation resumed at 1:41 a.m. EDT on Friday, October 4.

Standing 380 feet tall, the mobile launcher – which will be used to assemble, process and launch the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft – contains all the connection lines – known as umbilicals – and ground support equipment that will provide the rocket and spacecraft with the power, communications, fuel and coolant necessary for launch. This will be the mobile launcher’s last solo trek out to the launch pad ahead of integration of the Artemis Moon rocket, and it will remain inside the Vehicle Assembly Building until it is ready to return to the pad with the rocket for a tanking test.

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 / Ben Smegelsky


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett

Photos of the Day: The Latest Update on Endeavour's Permanent Home...

Earlier today, I drove down to the California Science Center near downtown Los Angeles to check out the latest construction status on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center...and needless to say, the permanent home of the orbiter Endeavour is lookin' good!

Endeavour's Space Shuttle Stack is no longer visible from outdoors—as the vehicle is completely covered up by scaffolding and white tarps for temporary protection while the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery's rooftop, known as a diagrid structure, continues to take shape above NASA's youngest retired orbiter. When finished, the diagrid will rise nearly 200 feet into the sky...making it almost as tall as the Coit Tower in San Francisco!

Construction on the Air and Space Center looks to be completed by early next year. After that, scores of aerospace artifacts (such as this Cassini replica that was donated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 19 miles from the California Science Center) will commence being installed inside the new museum wing.

But of course, it's Endeavour—inside the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery—that I'm most excited to see once this latest addition to the Science Center opens within the next year or so. Happy Birthday to me! Yes, it was today.


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par


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Richard T. Par

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

Thales Alenia Space

Gateway Stands Tall for Stress Test (News Release)

The Gateway space station’s Habitation and Logistics Outpost has successfully completed static load testing in Turin, Italy. With this phase of stress testing complete, the module is one step closer to final outfitting ahead of launch to lunar orbit.

Major Gateway hardware recently crossed an important testing milestone on its path to launch to the Moon, where it will support new science and house astronauts in lunar orbit.

Gateway’s HALO (Habitation and Logistics Outpost) successfully completed static load testing, a rigorous stress test of how well the structure responds to the forces encountered in deep space. Thales Alenia Space, a subcontractor to Northrop Grumman, conducted the testing in Turin, Italy. Static load testing is one of the major environmental stress tests that HALO will undergo, and once all phases of testing are complete, the module will be ready to move from Italy to Gilbert, Arizona, where Northrop Grumman will complete final outfitting.

HALO is one of four pressurized Gateway modules where astronauts will live, conduct science and prepare for missions to the lunar South Pole region. It will launch with Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to lunar orbit.

Gateway is humanity’s first lunar space station supporting a new era of exploration and scientific discovery as part of NASA’s Artemis campaign that will establish a sustained presence on and around the Moon, paving the way for the first crewed mission to Mars.

Source: NASA.Gov

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Thales Alenia Space


NASA / Maxar Technologies

On NASA's 66th Birthday, a Milestone Will Be Achieved on the Path to the Second Flight of SLS...

NASA / Kim Shiflett

Artemis II ML Rollback to VAB (Photo Release)

Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida prepare to move Mobile Launcher 1 atop the agency’s Crawler-Transporter 2 from Launch Complex 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

The crawler recently reached 2,500 miles traveling to the launch pad since its construction in 1965. The mobile launcher has been at the launch pad since August 2023 undergoing upgrades and tests in preparation for NASA’s Artemis II mission.

The mobile launcher will be used to assemble, process and launch NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion spacecraft to the Moon and beyond.

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett


NASA / Kim Shiflett

Get hip to this cosmic tip:
Join our birthday trip.
Get your kicks on Orbit 66!

We've been exploring since Oct. 1, 1958. What's in store next orbit? Launches to the Moon and Jupiter, quiet supersonic flight, and sharing it all with you live. Stay tuned to https://t.co/EuPGk4Yfo6 pic.twitter.com/KjqEwYCW3T

— NASA (@NASA) October 1, 2024