Artemis Moon Program

[publiusr]

With Orion and Starship having re-entry troubles--the best performing part of Artemis is SLS

 

[NMaude]

Phillip Sloss has just uploaded a new video concerning Artemis III, the SLS contract and the GAO's annual report:

Artemis is on uncertainty watch as questions about the future linger. The long-term outlook for SLS production is uncertain because there's no deal yet for a new contract and NASA isn't commenting on negotiations. The near-term outlook for Artemis III is uncertain with only two years to go before Axiom, Orion, SLS, and Starship all need to be either ready to launch or already launching. Two years isn't that long a time, and if NASA wants to go a different route for the mission, is there enough time to plan and prepare for something else?

While we're counting all the question marks for those subjects, the Government Accounting Office released their annual assessment of NASA projects, which includes several useful notes and provides additional context to recent updates.

All that is covered in this video, along with a new SLS Block 1B render that finally shows an all-white EUS.

Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.

00:00 Intro

00:31 SLS production contract uncertainty continues

04:56 Boeing apparently not interested in NSSL Phase 3 a long time ago

06:59 Is a LEO alternative for Artemis III really possible in 2026?

12:29 Publication of GAO's annual assessment of NASA major projects

19:43 All-white Exploration Upper Stage debut in public graphics

20:45 Thanks for watching!

 

[Michel Van]

According ars Technica

Collins will likely end its participation in the Exploration Extravehicular Activity Services, or xEVAS contract.
Leaving only AXIOM Space as provider for xEVAS Suits
Unclear how far the SpaceX EVA suit will replace Collins in xEVAS, contract.

NASA’s commercial spacesuit program just hit a major snag

"Unfortunately Collins has been significantly behind schedule."

arstechnica.com