Stephen Clark

Stephen Clark

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Space reporter at Ars Technica; covers NASA, SpaceX, international launch and satellites.

Orion Heat Shield Passes Reentry, Crew Remains Safe
SocialApr 11, 2026

Orion Heat Shield Passes Reentry, Crew Remains Safe

I just had a moment to chat with Lori Glaze, head of the Artemis program, about how the Orion heat shield held up during reentry yesterday. She said they have imagery in hand from divers at the splashdown site, but...

By Stephen Clark
Houston Prepares to Greet Artemis II Crew Returning From Moon
SocialApr 11, 2026

Houston Prepares to Greet Artemis II Crew Returning From Moon

The stage is set for Houston to welcome the Artemis II crew home from the Moon. https://t.co/Nwu7iSX1i3

By Stephen Clark
Artemis II Nails Precision: Distance, Speed, Reentry on Target
SocialApr 11, 2026

Artemis II Nails Precision: Distance, Speed, Reentry on Target

Artemis II return stats, per flight director Rick Henfling (via FDO): • Distance traveled: 700,237 miles • Top speed: 24,664 mph • Reentry angle: Within 0.4% of target • Entry distance: 1,957 miles • Landing location: Within 1 mile of target

By Stephen Clark
Orion Returns Home After Crew Module Separation
SocialApr 10, 2026

Orion Returns Home After Crew Module Separation

Orion is coming home. Good crew module sep. Godspeed the crew of Artemis II. https://t.co/aYgG56dcMb

By Stephen Clark
NASA to Fix Orion’s Leaky Helium Valves Before Artemis
SocialApr 10, 2026

NASA to Fix Orion’s Leaky Helium Valves Before Artemis

NASA will likely redesign Orion's leaky helium valves before sending the next Artemis crew to the Moon. https://t.co/ZB5x5JbH0t

By Stephen Clark
Blue Checks Second-Stage Impacts Despite Unrelated Hardware
SocialApr 9, 2026

Blue Checks Second-Stage Impacts Despite Unrelated Hardware

This is not hardware for the third New Glenn launch scheduled for later this month, but I'm sure Blue is checking for any effects on the second stage on that vehicle.

By Stephen Clark
Unexpected Celestial Glitch Becomes Artemis II’s Greatest Gift
SocialApr 9, 2026

Unexpected Celestial Glitch Becomes Artemis II’s Greatest Gift

It was an accident of celestial mechanics, but ended up becoming one of the "greatest gifts" of the Artemis II mission. https://t.co/Tg8VGfIpjl

By Stephen Clark
Artemis II May Only Teach Us How to Explore Again
SocialApr 9, 2026

Artemis II May Only Teach Us How to Explore Again

So what, exactly, is Artemis II's contribution to our knowledge of the Moon? Maybe it's just relearning how humans can explore. https://t.co/yslyyDUYUA

By Stephen Clark
Artemis II Hits Moon at 4,067 Miles, Reaches 252,756 Miles
SocialApr 6, 2026

Artemis II Hits Moon at 4,067 Miles, Reaches 252,756 Miles

Astronaut Jenni Gibbons, in Houston, transmits the latest information on Artemis II's trajectory to astronaut Victor Glover, a quarter-million miles away. Closest approach to the Moon: 7:00:46 pm EDT at a distance of 4,067 miles Farthest distance from Earth: 7:02:51 pm...

By Stephen Clark
Artemis II Commander Shares iPhone Moon Snapshot
SocialApr 6, 2026

Artemis II Commander Shares iPhone Moon Snapshot

iPhone pic of the Moon from Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, a sneak peek of what's to come. https://t.co/FnkGVlOeay

By Stephen Clark
Four Astronauts Become Humanity's Most Distant Explorers, Emotional
SocialApr 6, 2026

Four Astronauts Become Humanity's Most Distant Explorers, Emotional

Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy have become the most distant explorers in human history. Wow. I'm not sure I was ready for the emotional weight of that moment.

By Stephen Clark
Artemis II Replay Highlights Launch Abort System Jettison
SocialApr 4, 2026

Artemis II Replay Highlights Launch Abort System Jettison

Going through some of NASA's Artemis II launch replays, and this one showing Launch Abort System jettison pops. https://t.co/sa9Byen6VT

By Stephen Clark
Artemis II Launch Reveals SRB Staging and Early Moonrise
SocialApr 2, 2026

Artemis II Launch Reveals SRB Staging and Early Moonrise

NASA has posted rocket cam views from the launch of Artemis II. Here's SRB staging and the Moonrise the crew observed at T+5 minutes. https://t.co/paJDONlg0a https://t.co/M9lkXnDjHu

By Stephen Clark
Moon Missions Require Unity and Will, Not Just Money
SocialApr 2, 2026

Moon Missions Require Unity and Will, Not Just Money

Hearts and minds are too heavy for any rocket (or dollars) to carry all the way to the Moon. For that, it takes unity and will, qualities that aren't so easy to measure.

By Stephen Clark