Pad 2’s 33‑engine Plume Differs Noticeably From Pad 1
The exhaust plume from 33 engines on Pad 2 looks noticeably different than on Pad 1.
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...
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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...
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
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.
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
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
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.
Artemis II Crew Witnesses Rare Earth Sunset From 44,000 Mi
On their first apogee, nearly 44,000 miles from Earth, the Artemis II crew is getting a look at home unseen in 53 years. Here's Christina Koch describing her view of sunset in India a few minutes ago. https://t.co/uBZmQjCoFt
First Crew Walkout Coverage: A Historic Moment Witnessed
My first time covering a crew walkout in person. It was worth a moment to take in the history. https://t.co/yFAJKAT1Jd
Artemis II Fueling Begins at Kennedy, Launch Day Overview
Fueling has started at Kennedy Space Center. Here’s a rundown of all the big events for Artemis II launch day. https://t.co/avBdoxvMmi
US Military Outlines Emerging Moon Strategy
The US military is developing a strategy for the Moon. Here's where things stand. https://t.co/7DZaZ8Dmnn
This Week's Space Highlights:
In this week's Rocket Report: • Artemis II on track for launch next week • Russia reopens gateway to ISS • Space Force could move more payloads off Vulcan • Russia's Starlink takes flight • Isar scrubs launch attempt https://t.co/QKQhAwmre4
Space Warfare Mirrors 1930s Air Superiority Era
“Where we are today in space warfare is very similar to where air superiority was in the 1930s.” https://t.co/vdPDSKfwkt
Space
In this week's Rocket Report: • Artemis II clears flight readiness review • SpaceX activates second Starbase launch pad • Firefly successfully returns to flight • Pentagon orders high-altitude missile interceptors https://t.co/MhSVS4wljv
Anduril Expands Space Ops with Three Missions, Major Sensor Acquisition
Anduril's space business is growing, with at least three missions in the pipeline and, now, the acquisition of the world's largest space sensor network. https://t.co/QiWvE96S5k
This Week's
In this week's Rocket Report: • Artemis shakeup • SpaceX price hike • Russia repairs Soyuz launch pad • Japan's Space One now 0-for-3 • PLD raises $209 million https://t.co/WKoo20b4gS
Abandoned Soyuz Pad Finds New Tenant After Four Years
It looks like four years of disuse have taken its toll on the Soyuz launch pad in French Guiana. Now, it has new tenant.
GPS Satellite Ready for Launch, Vehicle Still Undecided
The next GPS satellite is at Cape Canaveral, preparing for launch. Whether it flies on Vulcan or Falcon 9 is up in the air. https://t.co/XxmkgevJk3
Launch Still On Track, New Payload Added to Blue Ring
Tory told me yesterday this is still on track for launch later this year. He has the team working on adding a new payload to Blue Ring for the first test flight, but wasn't ready to offer specifics.
Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal Completes Without Major Issues
NASA has reached the end of today's Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal with no major issues reported. https://t.co/CwpiNIEJYz https://t.co/rPZmmaWMuf
Artemis II Teams Stay Below Hydrogen Leak Safety Limit
This is encouraging: "Teams reached this step without exceeding the ground safety limit of the hydrogen leak concentration, as was observed during the first Artemis II wet dress rehearsal."
NASA Let Hydrogen Leak Grow During Artemis Gap
It turns out NASA used the three-year interim between Artemis I and Artemis II to get comfortable with a more significant hydrogen leak, instead of fixing the leaks themselves. https://t.co/XX1eeIJnR0
Legacy GEO Giant Eutelsat Shifts Focus to LEO
This is pretty remarkable. Eutelsat is one of the big three legacy GEO operators, now pivoting to LEO.
Space Systems Command Confirms Two GSSAPs on USSF‑87
Space Systems Command says there were two GSSAPs on USSF-87. This is their response to my question on the matter last month. https://t.co/IqQ6LR4m9P