Topic: space launch system
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NASA Confronts Major SLS Rocket Challenge
The SLS rocket program, now 15 years old, is defined by extremely high costs exceeding $30 billion and a frustratingly slow operational pace, despite its technical maturity. The program's development has been plagued by persistent technical issues, particularly hydrogen fuel leaks, which caused m...
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Rocket Report: 5-Ton Satellite Falls Off Booster; SpaceX-xAI Merger?
NASA is conducting a critical wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis II mission's Space Launch System rocket, a key step toward a launch targeted for no earlier than February 6. The UK launch company Orbex is being sold to spacecraft manufacturer The Exploration Company, a major shift that reverses ...
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Congress, Trump Near Deal to Cut SLS Rocket Costs by Scrapping Upper Stage
NASA's budget is uncertain, with negotiations focusing on reducing the high costs of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The Trump administration proposes transitioning to cheaper commercial alternatives after Artemis III, while Congress opposes to protect jobs and U.S. leadership. The outcome ...
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U.S. May Lose Second Moon Race, Warns Former NASA Chief
The U.S. risks falling behind in lunar exploration due to internal disagreements over strategy, threatening its return to the Moon and competitiveness in the second Moon race. The White House proposed restructuring NASA's Artemis Program by phasing out the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft and canc...
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Lego's NASA Artemis SLS Rocket Set to Launch in 2026
The Lego NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket, releasing in early 2026 for $59.99, is a 632-piece Technic set that simulates a moon mission's key separation events through an interactive hand-crank mechanism. The model accurately replicates the first 8.5 minutes of an Artemis launch sequence, ...
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NASA, Lockheed Eye New Rockets for Orion Launch
NASA and Lockheed Martin are exploring alternative launch vehicles for the Orion spacecraft, potentially moving away from the Space Launch System after nearly two decades of joint development. Lockheed Martin is shifting towards a service-based model, emphasizing reusability, cost efficiency, and...
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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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Neutron's Pad Opens, SpaceX's Falcon 9 Cleared for Launch
Congress opposes the Trump administration's plan to retire the Space Launch System rocket after Artemis III, signaling a potential conflict over NASA's deep space exploration future. Israel successfully launched the Ofek 19 satellite, an advanced synthetic aperture radar observation satellite, us...
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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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Ariane 64 Debuts Soon; India's Falcon 9 Rival Emerges
NASA is preparing the Space Launch System for the Artemis II mission, with a potential launch window opening in early February following a fueling test. MaiaSpace secured a major contract to launch Eutelsat's OneWeb satellites, targeting a first test flight in late 2026 for its new reusable rocke...
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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 Chief Shakes Up Moon Landing Plans
NASA's acting administrator announced delays in the crewed Moon landing timeline, citing SpaceX's Starship setbacks and abandoning the 2027 target. The agency plans to foster competition by involving other companies like Blue Origin to accelerate lunar lander development and beat China to the Moo...
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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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Blue Origin Unveils Ambitious New Glenn Rocket Plans
Blue Origin has announced a roadmap for New Glenn rocket upgrades, starting with the third launch in early 2026, to enhance payload capacity and launch frequency. A new super-heavy lift variant, the 9×4, will feature more engines and a larger fairing, enabling it to carry over 70 metric tons to l...
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