Artemis II

More than 60 years ago, the U.S. launched its first and so far only nuclear fission reactor into space. NASA aims to change that in 2.5 years.

Artemis II crewmembers took manual control of their spacecraft for a series of planned proximity maneuvers in Earth orbit late April 1 before their journey around the Moon.

CAPE CANAVERAL—After decades of development and false starts, NASA on April 1 launched the first crew in more than 50 years on a mission to leave Earth orbit and travel to the vicinity of the Moon.

With no technical issues and a favorable weather outlook, NASA on April 1 fueled the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for liftoff between 6:24-8:24 p.m. EDT on the Artemis II flight test.

Countdown clocks at the Kennedy Space Center began ticking down toward launch of NASA’s Artemis II flight test.

SpaceX has lost communication with a Starlink satellite on orbit following a March 29 anomaly, the company disclosed on social media March 30.

The two-day countdown for NASA’s Artemis II flight test, which is expected to become the first human spaceflight beyond Earth orbit in more than 53 years, is on track to begin March 30.

The four-member Artemis II flight crew returned to Kennedy Space Center March 27 for a second attempt to launch.

The agency wants commercial companies to take on a larger role in its Artemis lunar exploration initiative.

Advances in science are to play a significant role in the revision of the Artemis program’s strategy.

NASA’s repositioning of the Artemis program and efforts to build a Moon base should be a boon to the rocket industry.

NASA has unveiled sweeping changes to its Artemis exploration initiative.

The fully stacked Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule were back on the launchpad March 20.

NASA finished a 23-day servicing of the SLS rocket in the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building and returned the rocket to Launch Complex 39B March 20.

European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher is poised to meet with NASA next week to discuss Artemis plans.

After a roll back to its hangar for a repair and servicing, the Space Launch System rocket was being prepared for another launch try.

NASA has rescheduled the rollout for the Artemis II flight test to March 19.

NASA was aiming to return its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B on March 20.

NASA is now targeting liftoff of the Artemis II mission as early as April 1.

SpaceX and Blue Origin face significant technical challenges in the development, test and operation of their Human Landing Systems, an audit says.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The new mission is intended to buy down risk for a Moon landing in 2028.

It’s been a busy year so far for NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who is wrapping up his 11th week on the job.

NASA is rebooting its Artemis lunar exploration initiative, adding a new docking mission and scrapping plans for heavier-lift Space Launch System rockets.

NASA rolls Artemis II moon rocket back to hangar after upper stage helium system malfunction during prelaunch testing.