Topic: kennedy space center
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Ars staff picks the best rockets 100 years after the first launch
Robert Goddard's first liquid-fueled rocket launch 100 years ago, though brief, was a pivotal event that enabled future space exploration achievements like satellites and lunar landings. The author recounts witnessing the 2010 night launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-130), a critical mission ...
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NASA Sets April 1 Launch Date for Artemis II Moon Mission
NASA resolved a technical issue with the Artemis II rocket's upper stage, which involved a dislodged seal obstructing a helium line, prompting a rollback to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs. The rocket's return to the launch pad is now scheduled for no earlier than mid-April as engineers...
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Artemis II Moon Mission Gains Momentum for March Launch
The Artemis II mission is now targeting a launch as early as March 6, following a successful second fueling test of the Space Launch System rocket that resolved previous hydrogen leak issues. While this is a major step, significant work remains before launch confirmation, with backup dates identi...
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NASA Faces New Hurdle Ahead of Artemis II Countdown Test
NASA is preparing for a second countdown rehearsal to address a recurring hydrogen leak in the Space Launch System rocket, a critical step for the upcoming crewed Artemis II mission around the Moon. The leak, originating in ground support equipment called Tail Service Mast Umbilicals, is a famili...
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NASA delays Artemis II launch to March amid hydrogen leak issues
The Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts around the Moon, has been postponed to March due to persistent hydrogen leaks discovered during a critical fueling test of the Space Launch System rocket. The recurring hydrogen leak issue, which also delayed the prior Artemis I mission, was iden...
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NASA Picks Axiom Space for 5th Private Astronaut Mission
NASA has awarded Axiom Space a fifth private astronaut mission (Axiom Mission 5) to the International Space Station, scheduled for launch no earlier than January 2027, marking a significant shift toward integrating commercial providers into space station operations. The mission, lasting up to two...
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NASA managers vigilant for "launch fever" ahead of Moon mission
NASA's Space Launch System rocket is being transported to its launch pad, marking a critical step for the Artemis II mission to return humans to lunar exploration. The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a trajectory around the Moon, breaking the record for the farthest distance human...
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2026's Most Anticipated Space Launches and Landings
2026 is poised to be a landmark year for space exploration, driven by collaboration between NASA, international partners, and private companies, marking a shift toward a new era of discovery and commercial activity. A major milestone is the crewed Artemis II mission, which aims to return astronau...
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NASA's Artemis II Faces Payless Push to Stay on Track
NASA's essential programs, including the International Space Station and robotic missions, continue operating during the government shutdown, but employees and contractors are working without pay. The Artemis II mission remains on schedule, with the Orion spacecraft successfully stacked onto the ...
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NASA's Moon Rocket Arrives at Final Stop Before Launch
The Orion spacecraft has arrived at Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building for final stacking onto its rocket, targeting a February launch for the Artemis II mission. This mission will carry four astronauts on a historic ten-day lunar voyage, the first crewed trip to the Moon's vicinity...
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NASA Sets February Launch for Artemis II Moon Mission
NASA's Artemis II mission is scheduled for launch in February 2026, marking the first human journey beyond low-Earth orbit in over fifty years. The mission will carry four astronauts on a ten-day trip around the Moon, serving as a critical step toward returning humans to the lunar surface. Key ha...
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NASA Closes Columbia Artifact Repository to Public Tours
NASA is closing public access to the Columbia artifact repository to create a dedicated internal space for employee reflection and education. The agency is developing the Columbia Learning Center to provide unrestricted access for Kennedy personnel, reinforcing mission values and safety lessons. ...
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US Space Plane to Test Cutting-Edge Quantum Navigation Tech
The US Space Force's X-37B space plane will launch on August 21 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket to test advanced quantum navigation and high-bandwidth laser communications, marking its eighth mission. The X-37B, built by Boeing, is a miniature Space Shuttle-like vehicle that has set records for long-dur...
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