Artemis Moon Program

[Michel Van]

Yes, it exploded. Rather spectacularly, too.

it was not explosion, the nozzle failed leaving the gas uncontrolled escape
happen this during Artemis launch its game over for SLS and crew escape system has to safe them...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC9icOKGJ94

 

[BlueAbyssal]

Slow-motion of the event:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938342841195040888

View: https://x.com/thejackbeyer/status/1938342841195040888?s=46

 

[martinbayer]

Slow-motion of the event:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1938342841195040888

View: https://x.com/thejackbeyer/status/1938342841195040888?s=46

Oh my, how RUD...

 

[southwestforests]

Something about this Tumblr post of an hour ago, just now seen, brought this thread to mind,

https://longislandairpower.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F787525122831581184

View: https://www.tumblr.com/longislandairpower/787525122831581184?source=share

 

[Forest Green]

Should have opted for the F-1B engines.

Rocketdyne F-1 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Flyaway]

Scott Manley - NASA’s Future SLS Booster Just Failed Its First Test:

View: https://youtu.be/F85bTJLdaTo?si=HiWFQnYyk5W4nMDn

 

[NMaude]

Should have opted for the F-1B engines.

Rocketdyne F-1 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I agree, the Dynetics proposal for the LRB replacement of the Shuttle legacy SRBs should've been implemented.

Scott Manley - NASA’s Future SLS Booster Just Failed Its First Test:

View: https://youtu.be/F85bTJLdaTo?si=HiWFQnYyk5W4nMDn

While it failed its first test keep in mind that NASA has enough Shuttle legacy SRB components to build 16 five-segment SLS SRBs (Two have already been expended in Aretims I) so these new BOLE boosters won't be needed till Artemis IX. Now the mode of failure is strongly reminiscent of the Castor 600 ground test six years ago (It was for the cancelled OmegA):

In late May 2019, while conducting a static fire test of the first stage SRB, an anomaly occurred resulting in the destruction of the SRB nozzle (but not the stage itself).[22] A thorough investigation revealed that the differential pressure between the nozzle's internal pressure and surface pressure following the static fire test was greater than expected; when thrust levels dropped below a critical point upon completion of the static fire, the outside air crushed the nozzle "in an instant, just like a soda can".[23]

I think we may be looking at something similar here, now assuming it isn't cancelled NASA has plenty of time to identify the cause of the nozzle failure and implement a fix to the problem.

 

[publiusr]

Pyrios should have been Vulcan, so it could have a life beyond being an SRB replacement. Jarvis (not the Blue Origin version) was similar.

Hu Davis and Buzz Aldrin wanted something similar for StarBooster--only it was winged...IIRC.

I don't like these new SRBs.

I would like to stick with the steel SRBs for the time being. I wonder if steel segments and thicker nozzles could withstand injections of the neutral hexanitrogen that would increase as the SRB grains burn wider.

That might allow a performance increase even with the heavy steel segments.

I wouldn't trust N6 inside anything flimsier.

I can understand why some folks don't like solids--but current versions are strong enough to support an entire LV stack. I wonder if the new SRBs can

I do like the idea of of heavily built solids being load-bearing to allow for a re-usable core.

Forget chopsticks, just drop the steel SRBs in the drink and recover as per shuttle.

Perhaps a reusable upper stage could be more lightweight with steel solids taking the burnt of the abuse.

SLS (like the shuttle external tank) had to be Uber strong to withstand big solids. Might such a design be used for Starship? An SLS-based Starship but with methalox Raptors and TPS could ignite after a cluster of steel SRBs or SH falls away

 

[martinbayer]

When will they ever learn...

 

[TomcatViP]

@publiusr : starship + 2x srb might well give them lunar orbit insertion without all those in orbit refueling.

 

[NMaude]

@publiusr : starship + 2x srb might well give them lunar orbit insertion without all those in orbit refueling.

Don't tell that to Elon.

 

[Byeman]

Should have opted for the F-1B engines.

Rocketdyne F-1 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

a. There would not be SLS without SRBs. That was part of the pact
b. SLS would not have flown yet.

 

[BlueAbyssal]

@publiusr : starship + 2x srb might well give them lunar orbit insertion without all those in orbit refueling.

Assuming that the boosters could be attached with zero integration cost, no concern for damaging the booster, no redesign required, etc., Starship could get to LLO, but not then land on the Moon, not with a full payload. You’d still need to refuel. In the real world, those SRBs aren’t cheap, and the cost to redesign Starship to use them would be significant, as would operations costs. SpaceX’s long-term goal is to have Starship flights be under $10 million per launch (before people object, note that I said long term. Not immediate); each BOLE SRB costs nearly $300 million. SpaceX has plenty of room for higher costs for Starship refueling while still being cheaper than using SRBs.

 

[Byeman]

Pyrios should have been Vulcan, so it could have a life beyond being an SRB replacement. Jarvis (not the Blue Origin version) was similar.

No, too expensive.

I don't like these new SRBs.

Based on what knowledge or experience?
Composite SRMs flown
17 Titan IV (34)
26 Delta IV (68)
71 Pegasus (213)
54 Atlas V
158 Delta II
27 Castor 120 related vehicles.

I can understand why some folks don't like solids--but current versions are strong enough to support an entire LV stack. I wonder if the new SRBs can

Yeah, they are going to use new SRBs that can't support the stack.

I do like the idea of of heavily built solids being load-bearing to allow for a re-usable core.

No, it does the opposite. The core will be going to fast to be recoverable.

Forget chopsticks, just drop the steel SRBs in the drink and recover as per shuttle.

Costs too much

Perhaps a reusable upper stage could be more lightweight with steel solids taking the burnt of the abuse.

The SRB casing has no effect on ride. It is rough either way.

SLS (like the shuttle external tank) had to be Uber strong to withstand big solids. Might such a design be used for Starship? An SLS-based Starship but with methalox Raptors and TPS could ignite after a cluster of steel SRBs or SH falls away

Why, why, why do you insist on mixing SLS and Starship? It won't work. How many times does it have to be said that COST is first and performance is second.

No, it would be too heavy.

 

[Byeman]

@publiusr : starship + 2x srb might well give them lunar orbit insertion without all those in orbit refueling.

Not feasible. Superbooster is not designed to be lifted from the middle or have a large I-beam go through the middle of it.

photo from NSF

 

[publiusr]

At some point, Elon is going to have to find a way to transport SH prone.

 

[TheKutKu]

At some point, Elon is going to have to find a way to transport SH prone.

IIRC that's the current plan to transport stages by barge from Texa to the Cape.

From Delta to Starship, SpaceX's ambitious plan for SLC-37's future - NASASpaceFlight.com

SpaceX’s Starship rocket is rapidly advancing through the much-needed paperwork to bring the massive rocket…

www.nasaspaceflight.com

Starship stages would initially be built at SpaceX’s production facility at Starbase in Texas. These would then be transported horizontally on barges to Florida ahead of their testing and launch at the site. These transports would only take place for the first few years with a peak of transport activity expected in 2027 and a tail off over the next five years.

Could happen soon enough, the "end of the year" date for 1st LC-39A starship launch is widely considered to be unattainable but idk, maybe NET early 2026?

 

[NMaude]

Philip Sloss has uploaded his latest quarterly update video:

Reviewing the events, politics, and work reported by NASA and its partners during the second quarter of 2025 on preparations and planning for the Artemis II, III, IV missions and beyond.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Links to social media posts:
https://bsky.app/profile/spacepolicyo...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbExUNWhLcjE4Wm1ZSzBuVngxTXRseF8xV3p3QXxBQ3Jtc0trVzZycThLLVNWSTNuelFuV0tjUzFic3JLYlhlakxWYnlZV3ZETWVTa19yd2t6dTRGeExzUHBSTk42cDJFQk5ycmZwM3NtQks4V1cyLUwwRXk0Nm9vM3VKQng5ZUgwYXpOMHBhcE5zNlRGOW9QQUJIbw&q=https://bsky.app/profile/spacepolicyonline.bsky.social/post/3lqv4bkz44u2a&v=D0ZGU_yn9So
https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDFrcGtEclV4Vi1qSGU2TGgzNDVkM2V4VFV3Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsR1p4NlRyRHVSTTQxYnhTbThjNndCeFhhTFBOOUxNcmxUbEs1T2wycEdKYng0MERyMUF0LWdNWmxZZjAtVzNQdU1acjlpSG93ajA1RndtX0EwVWJfYjBFZW1RWWZEdXBPSW42cHBveHNQa2Q5aE9jZw&q=https://x.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1935548909805601020&v=D0ZGU_yn9So
https://x.com/AirbusSpace/status/1930...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmQ1VWphaTZXZmxiZ2xBdUloMGVpYTJZeU9PQXxBQ3Jtc0trR3RSLVV2aFlnRDVvbnl2cWxHYnB2QmVrN2hVTDBObEdjQnlIckdLUWZNRmhOUEhCa20tNF9uczhVczBzR3NQWkJsQzA4OU55cEt1aWNhdHdkSlIwV2RJcVVFUC1xMDY1cTEtcG1KQjlfNTRTNkZEbw&q=https://x.com/AirbusSpace/status/1930289406105018614&v=D0ZGU_yn9So

Links to stories referenced:
https://www.semafor.com/article/05/31...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUdDa2pDUEktb3UxckF1T0M0bjhNOVNIeWhDUXxBQ3Jtc0trUDFMVjFJbW5ZVnpGODZUR2F0Ui0yQ0pybThldGZGd1JNbWVCZWVGQmNSTVhhTld0WHlFVm5DdjBmMWdoOUsyZ3BQbUJ2OGFwbjNaelNhNzBzZjZmdU85N0ZHRmQ5QUhZOGxPbGw4RTYzSmNDdFBLYw&q=https://www.semafor.com/article/05/31/2025/white-house-expected-to-pull-nasa-nominee-isaacman&v=D0ZGU_yn9So

Jack Beyer's remote camera video of the SLS Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) demonstration motor test:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC9icOKGJ94

• World's Largest SRB Fails During Testinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC9icOKGJ94

00:00 Intro

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ZGU_yn9So&t=51s

00:51 Two SLS ground static fire tests for Artemis V and beyond, one secret, one not
01:19 NASA secretly conducts RS-25 test
03:20 Nozzle anomaly at the end of the first test of next-gen SLS solid rocket motor
09:40 Artemis II status and outlook

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ZGU_yn9So&t=928s

15:28 Artemis III status and outlook

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ZGU_yn9So&t=1403s

23:23 Review of the political drama of this quarter

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ZGU_yn9So&t=1588s

26:28 Artemis IV status and outlook

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ZGU_yn9So&t=1880s

31:20 Thanks for watching!

 

[NMaude]

Philip Sloss has uploaded a video about whether or not NASA will carry secret production proof test-firings of the RS-25Es (Development tests have been completed):

As the thumbnail says, that's the question -- why is NASA now conducting tests in secrecy for something they made a big deal out of not long ago? Conducting RS-25 tests in secret seems to be the latest move by NASA and the White House to conceal work on the stuff that OMB wants terminated. Neither NASA nor the administration has explained what they're doing, and maybe that's part of the plan.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.
McGregor Live (http://nsf.live/mcgregor) courtesy of NSF/NASASpaceflight, used with permission.

Links to social media posts:
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...nnis/status/1775254100575150169&v=dlFkKGUsiKY
/ 1775254100575150169

/ 1775525102878089686

/ 1775554913667256631 https://x.com/NASAStennis/status/1937...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...nnis/status/1937227920159744129&v=dlFkKGUsiKY

Links to stories referenced:
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/06...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=dlFkKGUsiKY

00:00 Intro
01:00 RS-25 test not even announced until three days after it was conducted
03:41 SpaceX is testing their engine hardware more transparently than NASA now
07:02 NASA's response to why the test was conducted in secret leaves the questions open
08:47 Full footage of the test finally released
09:31 How long will this secrecy continue?
10:27 Thanks for watching!

 

[NMaude]

Philip Sloss has a new update out on the Artemis programme now that Trump's Big Brutal Bill has been passed:

Now that Congress extended funding for the current Artemis programs through President Trump's second term -- and the President signed that into law -- we wait to see what the rest of the executive branch does. The money for Gateway, SLS upgrades, Mobile Launcher-2, and all the Artemis IV "stuff," will be there for several years, but now we move to the question of whether the NASA workforce will be there after the administration is done firing people. And also whether or not the White House will spend the new NASA money in those accounts.​

In other words, is what Congress just passed going to be enough to fly Artemis IV by the end of the decade or is the White House just going to ignore that, too?​

Maybe NASA will be allowed to talk about those projects again, now that the money is federal law, but we'll see. Right now the space agency can talk about Artemis II, and in this video, I'll go over an update we got on launch preparations.​

The Government Accounting Office also published their annual assessment of major NASA projects, including the exiled Artemis programs, and there are a few updates from Boeing on production of their subset of SLS pieces.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Space Coast Live (http://nsf.live/spacecoast) courtesy of NSF/NASASpaceflight, used with permission.

Links to social media posts:
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...pyQxmjniySwpmo7NvYAABegQ9s5apZl&v=JGDQ103irxQ
/ pfbid0chmzt7oknwrislt7sxfbzq4zrvxetmjgsnpy... https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...pyQxmjniySwpmo7NvYAABegQ9s5apZl&v=JGDQ103irxQ

Links to stories referenced:
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/06...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...of-new-glenn-will-aim-for-mars/&v=JGDQ103irxQ
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/07...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...e-around-nasa-science-missions/&v=JGDQ103irxQ
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=JGDQ103irxQ

00:00 Intro
01:31 Artemis II launch processing update
06:15 Boeing SLS production status
10:45 Big reconciliation bill now law, including new money for Gateway and SLS upgrades
16:03 GAO assessment of major NASA projects a reality check just like last year
20:25 Other news and notes, starting with Mobile Launcher-2 umbilical tower being topped out
22:26 Artemis IV related GAO assessments of Mobile Launcher-2 and SLS Block 1B
25:55 Thanks for watching!

 

[publiusr]

With Musk and the President still on the outs, Trump might just change his tune on SLS.

 

[NMaude]

Trump might just change his tune on SLS.

Yup! If only just to spite Musk and stick it to him.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942708064626565236

View: https://twitter.com/Axiom_Space/status/1942708064626565236


ARTICLE: Axiom Space’s Next-Gen Spacesuit is Crew Tested for First Time in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab

Axiom Space’s Next-Gen Spacesuit is Crew Tested for First Time in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab! #AxEMU

Axiom Space’s Next-Gen Spacesuit is Crew Tested for First Time in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab

Jul 08, 2025 -

axiom.space

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxq3jkPjNoU

 

[Grey Havoc]

Robots could one day crawl across the moon

The future of moon exploration may be rolling around a non-descript office on the CU Boulder campus. Here, a robot about as wide as a large pizza scoots forward on three wheels. It uses an arm with a claw at one end to pick up a plastic block from the floor, then set it back […]

www.spacedaily.com

 

[TomcatViP]

This AxEMU space suit is an horror. Discarding neck mobility and peripheral vision is a huge step back in term of Astronauts security when the next generations of astronauts will be confronted to an increased exposure to confined geological formation due to extra terrestrial space exploration (imagine yourself handling a piolet in a tight cave embalmed like a larva in that bizarre suit).
Also, the larger exposed fabric surface resulting from the lack of a neck increases the risk of accidentals tearing and suit breaching (see the ripped and curled material there). Something that is aggravated by the reduced peripheral vision.

I understand the tradeoff was for a jump-in suite, as favored by the online public. IMOHO, it´s a costly error. (and jump-in suites can be built differently).

 

[Grey Havoc]

Beancounters on the rampage yet again, would be my first guess.

 

[NMaude]

Philip Sloss has uploaded a new video concerning NASA's current status and the Artemis programme:

Congress got funding for Artemis into President Trump's big bill that passed last week, but the White House continues to ignore Congress and their money. NASA funding could end up remaining the same as last year, but the agency workforce is being sharply cut, anyway.​

The President also made a change at the top of NASA, designating Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as acting NASA administrator, but it's not clear if that signifies a change in the workforce reduction policy. So even though Elon Musk split from the White House and doesn't run DOGE any more, they're still running the DOGE playbook on the agency.​

With thousands of senior NASA staff being forced to leave, what is clear is the White House wants those people fired a lot more than the lunar landing race with China that Congress wants to win or anything else those people were doing while working at NASA.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Links to social media posts:
https://x.com/SenMarkKelly/status/194...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...elly/status/1943083703325835618&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://x.com/Axiom_Space/status/1942...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...pace/status/1942708064626565236&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://x.com/NASA_Johnson/status/194...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...nson/status/1942709546977567116&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://x.com/RedwireSpace/status/194...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...pace/status/1940365616705134910&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTr...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...lDonaldTrump/114826109463640311&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://x.com/secduffy/status/1943107...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...uffy/status/1943107856254877927&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://x.com/NASASpox/status/1943332...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...Spox/status/1943332605438431616&v=1fT0JZZiPLc

Links to stories referenced:
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev.../nasa-staff-departures-00444674&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...inking-civil-servant-workforce/&v=1fT0JZZiPLc
https://www.govexec.com/management/20...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=1fT0JZZiPLc

00:00 Intro
01:18 White House continues firing thousands at NASA
03:52 President Trump appoints Transporation Secretary to also run NASA in the interim
04:53 Senate appropriations takes up NASA budget for upcoming fiscal year
05:36 Senators preview their funding proposal
08:56 Artemis news and notes, beginning with Artemis II Orion commodity loading update
10:20 Axiom Space starts underwater testing of their lunar surface spacewalk suit
11:59 Gateway PPE solar arrays being tested ahead of spacecraft integration
15:17 Circling back to EGS landing and recovery training for Artemis II abort contingencies
18:04 NASA publishes footage of Artemis IV SLS development test article captured in April
19:43 Thanks for watching!

 

[Brett Davidson]

This AxEMU space suit is an horror. Discarding neck mobility and peripheral vision is a huge step back in term of Astronauts security when the next generations of astronauts will be confronted to an increased exposure to confined geological formation due to extra terrestrial space exploration (imagine yourself handling a piolet in a tight cave embalmed like a larva in that bizarre suit).
Also, the larger exposed fabric surface resulting from the lack of a neck increases the risk of accidentals tearing and suit breaching (see the ripped and curled material there). Something that is aggravated by the reduced peripheral vision.

I understand the tradeoff was for a jump-in suite, as favored by the online public. IMOHO, it´s a costly error. (and jump-in suites can be built differently).

Not disagreeing here about vision but the torso and head are a single hard shell, so not as vulnerable. I also think that a lot of the bulk is the result of weights being distributed over it to make sure it doesn't float - there would be a lot of buoyancy in the volume of that shell.

 

[TomcatViP]

@Rhinocrates : You are correct. I hadn't noticed the added weights put there to prevent floatation.

 

[Grey Havoc]

https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/CF_researchers_developing_new_methods_to_passively_mitigate_lunar_dust_for_space_exploration_999.html

Lunar dust is more than a mild irritant or hallmark of an untidy room like dust found on Earth.
Lunar dust particles are sharp and abrasive due to the lack of atmosphere gradually dulling their surfaces, leading them to potentially damaging critical lunar equipment or causing respiratory issues for astronauts. Managing lunar dust (also known as regolith) and safeguarding astronauts or sensitive equipment on the moon isn't as simple as sweeping it up with a broom and pan.

That's why a team of NASA-funded UCF researchers is pioneering a new nanocoating to passively mitigate the effects of lunar dust, protect equipment and ultimately extend future lunar missions.

 

[publiusr]

That lunar dust--great for concrete?

 

[NMaude]

That lunar dust--great for concrete?

Just add water.

 

[NMaude]

Philip Sloss has a new video out concerning NASA's plans to accelerate the schedule for Artemis II:

Late July update/note: I interviewed Matt Ramsey, the mission manager for Artemis II, back in early March and this was first published that month for channel members.​

I asked Mr. Ramsey to go over how NASA is planning to streamline the remaining launch preparations for Artemis II.​

Other areas covered in the interview were revisiting the details of some of the constraints that the launch team has to work with from Artemis I, such as scrub turnaround options and the usage clock for the flight termination system once it is activated.​

I also asked about how new tools that are activated or are being built for Artemis II factor into the pad campaign strategy this time. NASA has activated a second liquid hydrogen sphere at Launch Pad 39B for Artemis II and is building a contingency pad access system that is expected to be ready to support launch pad operations by the time the vehicle is ready to roll out.​

The launch windows and launch opportunities are a little different this time than Artemis I, and I also asked how decisions coming from the Orion heatshield investigation affect the length of the launch periods.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

00:00 Intro
00:54 Working on a "work to" date, February 2026?
07:54 Any risks to single pad flow and final pad testing right before launch?
12:15 Does contingency pad access inside SLS change the game plan for staying at the pad?
18:34 Looking at the rollout to launch pad flow time that is shaped by Flight Termination System usage requirements
20:51 The three countdowns planned, a dry dress rehearsal, wet dress rehearsal, and the launch countdown
23:06 Big picture: How NASA plans to move up Artemis II readiness to launch
24:13 Looking at Artemis II launch opportunities, how are those different than Artemis I?
33:21 Thanks for watching!

 

[NMaude]

Another update from Philip Sloss concerning Artemis II:

NASA Exploration Ground Systems continues to make progress with Artemis II launch preparations, with plans for the flight crew to suit up and get in Orion in the coming days, but the messages for Artemis III were mixed. In one set of pictures, we see one part of the Artemis III SLS Core Stage reaching milestones, but then in another set we see another part disassembled.​

It's easier to figure out the milestones than the disassembly, but the space agency hasn't explained. I'll go through that Artemis III mystery along with a new schedule chart in this video, and the details for the other NASA budget bill that were released.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Links to stories referenced:
https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/loc...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...ing-orion-flights-as-a-service/&v=t6W7DgkDjfs
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=t6W7DgkDjfs
00:00 Intro
00:40 SLS Core Stage LOX tank for Artemis III getting ready for final assembly
06:07 Artemis II launch processing status
11:22 Artemis III outlook: what's happening to the Core Stage engine section?
15:21 Looking at the new chart of Artemis III milestones
18:19 The House releases details of its NASA funding bill, initial takeaways
22:47 Thanks for watching!

 

[Grey Havoc]

At NASA came proposal for combine the hardware from ULA/Blue Origin/SpaceX

Replace Starship with ULA build "Saturn 5 stage" power by five RL-10 engine
this on Superheavy could launch Blue Origin Moon lander direct to rendezvous orbit around the Moon
Follow by Orion capsule launch by Artemis rocket

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z7b3lCSkU0

 

[NMaude]

Philip Sloss has uploaded a video giving an update on Artemis III's schedule:

After the rest of the Artemis III SLS engine section hardware was relocated from one part of the Kennedy Space Center to another during the week, NASA and Boeing explained what was happening. I go through the details in this video, along with the latest on Artemis II launch preparations. The flight crew also visited KSC and their Orion spacecraft during the week as Exploration Ground Systems finishes pre-launch fueling and gets ready to move Orion for encapsulation.​

I'll go through the near-term plans for Artemis II and long-term uncertainty for the missions beyond that, including more news and notes about Artemis III and V.

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Space Coast Live (http://nsf.live/spacecoast) courtesy of NSF/NASASpaceflight, used with permission.

Artemis II crew weekly update: / dm00lwaow3k https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...instagram.com/reel/DM00LwAOW3k/&v=7z7_TpmBHGs

Links to social media posts:
https://x.com/PallottaPedro/status/19...
https://x.com/McOfficialPlays/status/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...lays/status/1950998440940544466&v=7z7_TpmBHGs
https://x.com/NASAArtemis/status/1951...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...emis/status/1951040232603750434&v=7z7_TpmBHGs
https://x.com/blueorigin/status/19502...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...igin/status/1950265284150862211&v=7z7_TpmBHGs
https://x.com/SpaceX/status/195103032...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...aceX/status/1951030322767994912&v=7z7_TpmBHGs
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1951186...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...musk/status/1951186732285829255&v=7z7_TpmBHGs

Links to stories referenced:
https://onfirstup.com/boeing/BNN/arti...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...icles/2-moon-rockets-1-building&v=7z7_TpmBHGs
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...-workforce-resignation-numbers/&v=7z7_TpmBHGs
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=7z7_TpmBHGs


00:00 Intro
01:19 Artemis II update
08:04 Boeing and NASA explain what they're doing with the Artemis III SLS Core Stage engine section
17:07 Other news and notes, beginning with Blue Moon tech demo news, but also continued schedule secrecy
19:59 Artemis III Orion docking module status
21:38 The White House plans more NASA workforce layoffs
23:30 Late breaking news during the week, beginning with a Starship flight test update
24:23 SpaceX promises to the new acting NASA admin that Starship HLS won't delay Artemis III
25:54 NASA social provides an extra Artemis III engine section update
27:47 Thanks for watching!

 

[Grey Havoc]

NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission ends without mapping moon

Washington DC (UPI) Aug 4, 2025 - NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission to the moon ended in failure after the government agency lost contact with the spacecraft one day after the launch in February and never regained communication despite extensive efforts.

www.moondaily.com

From back in March:

Low on power and spinning out of control, NASA's Lunar Trailblazer moon probe's future looks grim

It's been a week since NASA lost contact with its new water-hunting moon satellite.

www.space.com

 

[NMaude]

Philip Slos has an update concerning Artemis III:

According to new acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy last week, SpaceX promised him that Starship won't be late for Artemis III. Starship hasn't gotten the blame for past Artemis III delays, so is SpaceX playing schedule chicken? It's worked in the past, even though Starship has missed all the past dates.​

With Artemis III already delayed over two years past the original, aspirational end-of-2024 date, the better question for all the programs is what is the schedule for their remaining milestones, which have been a mystery for longer than the delays.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Links to social media posts:
https://x.com/PallottaPedro/status/19...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=3FoWYSZgPK4

00:00 Acting NASA administrator says SpaceX promised they won't be late, Artemis III schedule chicken?
01:39 Starship is late like everyone else
06:10 Schedule questions for the Artemis III programs
07:51 Thanks for watching!

 

[NMaude]

So the tanking of the Orion CSM is complete and now it's off to have its' LAS and BPC installed before stacking in the VAB, from Philip Sloss:

There's still a lot of work to do to launch the Artemis II mission, and crucial testing won't occur until days before the first launch attempt, but Exploration Ground Systems is staying close to the schedule laid out last last year and early in this one. Fueling of the Orion spacecraft is complete and we were standing by to see when it moves to the Launch Abort System Facility for encapsulation in the next few days.​

I go through the news and status of Artemis II launch preparations, updates on building flight hardware for missions after that, and Mobile Launcher-2 prime contractor Bechtel provided imagery of recent construction. There's also more developments in the ad nauseum Artemis budget and policy mess in Washington, D.C., and progress on China's crewed lunar lander.​

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.
NASA video of Orion interior: https://x.com/NASA_Orion/status/19285...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...lays/status/1950998440940544466&v=95WzD0v4ueE

Links to stories/news pieces referenced:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...clear-directive-sean-duffy.html&v=95WzD0v4ueE
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=95WzD0v4ueE

00:00 Intro
01:15 Artemis II update
09:33 Updates from Boeing on SLS Stages production
16:00 Some additional views of the SLS Core Stage-3 engine section during remate in the VAB
17:37 Mobile Launcher-2 news and pictures of recent work from Bechtel
19:19 Other news and notes, starting with U.S. political mess
22:36 China shows recent testing of their Lanyue crewed lunar lander
23:58 Next Starship flight test pushed back a few more days
24:33 Artemis III and IV Orion hardware provides administrator tour backdrop
25:27 Thanks for watching!

 

[NMaude]

Artemis II is at its last pre-stacking stop for its' Orion CSM with the LAS and BPC ogive fairing to be added, from Philip Sloss:

The Artemis II Orion has arrived at its last stop before stacking on SLS for launch. Exploration Ground Systems moved the spacecraft last weekend and is getting ready to put the Launch Abort System on top of Orion and encapsulate the Crew Module. While the flight crew and whole Artemis II team continues to practice for the launch and the mission, flight hardware preparations will drive the launch date, so we're watching for progress in the Launch Abort System Facility over the next several weeks.​

In this video, I'll also go over Artemis III-related milestones for SLS and Starship, with the next flight test from Starbase possibly a week away. There's also Gateway hardware deliveries and Orion spacecraft for Artemis missions in the future, assuming Gateway and Orion will be a part of those.​

Some news gets more publicity from NASA than others this year; the uncertainty and anxiety over the agency's political situation and its future not so much. Even though the budget remains unresolved, NASAWatch reported on internal plans by the White House and agency leadership to unilaterally continue cutting workforce and programs. Congress may want to do something else, but it's not clear whether they can stop it or will.​

China continues testing their lunar rockets and spacecraft, but right now the U.S. isn't on the same page about what they might do.

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

Links to stories referenced:
https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/pre...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...hrusters-lunar-orbiting-gateway&v=Y8EHoLyLXug
https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...nto-nasas-contractor-rif-plans/&v=Y8EHoLyLXug
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2..

https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss&v=Y8EHoLyLXug
00:00 Intro
00:42 Artemis II Orion moves to the LASF
02:40 SLS prepares to ship Artemis II Orion Stage Adapter
03:38 Orion Launch Abort System history and integration plan
08:41 Looking ahead to integrated testing plans for the fall
10:28 Flight crew training notes from the week
14:07 Starship flight test 10 scheduled for NET August 24
16:25 Other news and notes, beginning with Gateway SEP thruster deliveries
19:10 Artemis V Orion pressure vessel sighting at Michoud Assembly Facility
20:15 China preparing for another Long March 10 static fire ground test
20:53 SLS Core Stage-3 engine section has arrived in Boeing's vertical integration center in the VAB
23:38 Atlantic hurricane season activity picking up as the peak approaches
24:11 More evidence that the White House plans more NASA layoffs in October
25:27 Thanks for watching!