Tag: Artemis
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Preview: NASA to unveil Artemis 3 crew, provide updates on mission
NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft stand at Launch Complex 39B on Tuesday, March 31, ahead of the planned launch of Artemis 2. Image: Michael Cain/Spaceflight Now NASA is set to introduce the world to the four astronauts who will fly the Artemis 3 mission Tuesday morning. The announcement will take place at…
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After New Glenn anomaly, Blue Origin keeps focus on upcoming Blue Moon and Mars missions
Following the damaging loss of New Glenn during hotfire testing at Launch Complex 36 in late May, Blue Origin is moving quickly to get its massive orbital rocket back to flight by the end of the year. New Glenn’s launch manifest remains filled, and several of its most important upcoming missions will launch Blue Origin’s…
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Artemis III’s remaining solid rocket booster segments shipped from Utah to Florida
While there is some uncertainty regarding timelines and landers, the Artemis III mission — currently scheduled for the summer of 2027 — is being prepared for launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Northrop Grumman began shipping all eight remaining solid rocket booster segments for the mission’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Utah…
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Blue Origin’s rocket blowup could cause big problems for NASA — and a satellite slowdown for Amazon Leo
One day after Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on its launch pad during a static-fire test, United Launch Alliance’s Atlas 5 successfully sent 29 Amazon Leo satellites into low Earth orbit. (ULA via YouTube) Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture is still assessing the damage from this week’s catastrophic New Glenn rocket explosion on…
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NASA Awards $300M Johnson Space Center Infrastructure Contract
Why is NASA investing $300M in Johnson Space Center infrastructure now? NASA has awarded a $300 million infrastructure contract to seven companies for construction and revitalization projects at Johnson Space Center, with all funds requiring obligation by September 30, 2026. The Johnson Space Center Multiple Award Construction Contract directly supports mission-critical facilities needed for the…
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Rovers and Drones laying the foundations for NASA Moon Base
NASA has outlined the initial missions under its Moon Base initiative, rebranding existing Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) flights, while also awarding contracts for the first crewed Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTVs) intended to support surface operations as early as 2028. The agency confirmed that the first three Moon Base missions are adaptations of previously planned…
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Preview: NASA updates progress towards established a Moon Base, Artemis 3 mission
NASA plans to build a planned moon base in three stages, starting with more frequent astronaut and cargo flights to the moon the develop the infrastructure needed to support long-duration crews. Image: NASA TV Nearly two months after first unveiling its big plans to establish a Moon Base at the lunar south pole, NASA leadership…
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NASA taps Blue Origin to deliver lunar rovers for Moon Base initiative
An artist’s conception shows Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 lander lowering an Astrolab rover to the lunar surface. (NASA Illustration) Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture has won NASA’s nod to deliver crew-carrying rovers to the lunar surface as part of the space agency’s decade-long plan to create a base near the moon’s south…
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NASA Awards First Moon Base Contracts to Four Companies
Which Companies Won NASA’s First Moon Base Development Contracts? NASA awarded the first contracts for lunar base development to four companies on May 26, marking a significant expansion of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program beyond basic payload delivery to permanent infrastructure development. The contracts focus on lander and drone systems that will support…
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SpaceX’s Starship V3—still a work in progress—mostly successful on first flight
SpaceX launched the first test flight of its upgraded Starship rocket and Super Heavy booster Friday, with mostly positive results. The powerful rocket, propelled by 33 methane-fueled main engines, climbed away from SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility in South Texas at 5:30 pm CDT (6:30 pm EDT; 22:30 UTC) Friday. Within a few seconds, the 408-foot-tall…