Aug 17, 2025The 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 social media posts:https://www.facebook.com/nasamaf/posts/1157621903061664 https://x.com/raz_liu/status/1955171373959221610 https://www.facebook.com/NASAGoddard/posts/pfbid0UdHiaqop6y4cPq8MJGcAKiz3XxBPMJP5B2B8e7SjQR6hprgX7pXuro6VV29rxRYtlLinks to stories referenced:https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press-release/2025/08/l3harris-delivers-electric-thrusters-lunar-orbiting-gatewayhttps://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/insight-into-nasas-contractor-rif-plans/https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2025/08/14/artemis-ii-crew-train-for-night-launch-scenarios-at-kennedy-space-center/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:42 Artemis II Orion moves to the LASF02:40 SLS prepares to ship Artemis II Orion Stage Adapter03:38 Orion Launch Abort System history and integration plan08:41 Looking ahead to integrated testing plans for the fall10:28 Flight crew training notes from the week14:07 Starship flight test 10 scheduled for NET August 2416:25 Other news and notes, beginning with Gateway SEP thruster deliveries19:10 Artemis V Orion pressure vessel sighting at Michoud Assembly Facility20:15 China preparing for another Long March 10 static fire ground test20:53 SLS Core Stage-3 engine section has arrived in Boeing's vertical integration center in the VAB23:38 Atlantic hurricane season activity picking up as the peak approaches24:11 More evidence that the White House plans more NASA layoffs in October25:27 Thanks for watching!
Aug 23, 2025Artemis II watch and Artemis III watch continue this week. In this video, I'll look back at the Long March 10 first stage static fire test, which is China's Moon rocket. The U.S. and China might be racing to the Moon, but they may be in different races. (It depends on who you ask.) Artemis III would be the U.S. lunar landing mission, and there's more SLS and Starship notes this week.There's also some imagery we've received of Mobile Launcher-2 construction, but most of the video is about Artemis II launch preparations. The final piece of the vehicle arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week and Exploration Ground Systems provided a detailed update on the status of preparations.Imagery is courtesy of NASA and the China Manned Space Agency, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://www.facebook.com/NASAArtemis/posts/pfbid02W6FrRBD7fCeX9poLSc4NqSv8GD7WqD2QMdwTeLFapgHUwhPHTuVFacTgVKnJn5L1l https://x.com/raz_liu/status/1956328839543402538https://www.facebook.com/NASAKennedy/posts/pfbid05EFLmcECjkgDmrqjT3JDXD35fJZzrkBpRJtknqGUC5pxFU7jxiMoqKBZ6YAt1CDnlhttps://x.com/elonmusk/status/1959019114258997609Links to stories referenced:https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202508/15/content_WS689eec3dc6d0868f4e8f4dcb.htmlhttps://www.china-in-space.com/p/long-march-10-roars-to-life-in-wenchanghttps://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2025/08/18/nasa-begins-processing-artemis-iii-moon-rocket-at-kennedy/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:46 Artemis II watch this week: OSA arrives at KSC03:51 More footage of recent Artemis II flight crew launch day practice and launch pad training06:28 Update on Artemis II preparations from EGS senior vehicle operations manager Matt Czech11:56 Artemis III watch this week: China static fires its Long March 10 Moon rocket13:10 More footage of the SLS Core Stage-3 engine section install in VAB High Bay 216:09 Elon Musk lowers 2026 expectations for Starship17:32 Bechtel provides imagery of Mobile Launcher-2 construction during the 1st half of 202522:30 Only able to get one SLS five-segment booster image from June Promontory tour25:04 Thanks for watching!
Aug 26, 2025The recently publicized milestones in China's lunar landing program development temporarily highlighted their status and increased the visibility into a race to land the next people on the Moon. Congress maintains that the U.S. has to win another race, and NASA says that Artemis III will fly in less than two years, but everyone is hiding their schedules from public view.And it's not clear everyone is running the same race. Is China racing the U.S.? Is SpaceX in a hurry to get to Mars or the Moon? Does the White House really want to race if it means they have to keep funding SLS and Orion?Imagery is courtesy of NASA and the China Manned Space Agency, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/PhazzeeYeehaw/status/1801661364458357247https://www.facebook.com/NASAArtemis/posts/pfbid02W6FrRBD7fCeX9poLSc4NqSv8GD7WqD2QMdwTeLFapgHUwhPHTuVFacTgVKnJn5L1lhttps://x.com/raz_liu/status/1956328839543402538Links to stories referenced:https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202508/15/content_WS689eec3dc6d0868f4e8f4dcb.htmlhttps://www.china-in-space.com/p/long-march-10-roars-to-life-in-wenchangJoin the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro01:35 China static fires a ground test article of its new Moon rocket02:54 Where does the Moon race stand today?11:47 How big a lead does the U.S. still have?14:15 Thanks for watching!
Aug 29, 2025The first part of my interview of Matt Czech with Exploration Ground Systems on Friday, August 22nd. EGS is getting the Artemis II vehicle ready for launch, Mr. Czech provided a detailed report on current work. In this part, I asked about the current status of Orion and SLS preparations ahead of the final mate of the spacecraft and rocket. In the second part, coming in a later video, I asked about the outlook for work after Orion and SLS are mated, and the final stretch from there to rollout for launch.00:00 Intro00:55 Current status of Orion work in the Launch Abort System Facility03:25 Forecast for Orion to move to the VAB for stacking06:30 Installing the Orion Crew Module ogive fairing is the critical path10:40 Current status of integrated test and checkout of SLS15:30 Closing out the SLS Core Stage engine section for rollout and launch17:15 Finishing "traveled work" on the Core Stage19:00 Orion Stage Adapter pre-stack processing and schedule
Sep 4, 2025 ✪ Members first on September 2, 2025Part 2 of my interview of Matt Czech with Exploration Ground Systems on Friday, August 22nd. EGS is getting the Artemis II vehicle ready for launch, Mr. Czech provided a detailed report on current work. In this part, I asked about the outlook for work after Orion and SLS are mated, the final stretch from there to rollout for launch, applying lessons learned from Artemis I, and thoughts about getting ready for Artemis III.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/nasagroundsys/status/1557115371592851460https://x.com/NASAGroundSys/status/1557484881004924930 https://x.com/NASAGroundSys/status/1557779522463973376Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:59 What is the schedule of integrated testing after Orion is stacked?05:32 Rollout preps at the end, getting the vehicle ready to roll08:10 Strategy for the contingency pad access system if needed for Artemis II10:28 Asking how lessons learned from Artemis I have helped with Artemis II preparations16:07 Final thoughts
Aug 31, 2025The successful completion of Starship flight test 10 during the past week gives SpaceX a big data set to iterate on; I'll provide a quick recap and the big picture questions for NASA and Artemis will return soon. The Artemis II watch continues, as Exploration Ground Systems works to get Orion encapsulated and ready for final stacking with SLS in October. I'll go through the latest pictures and status reports on that, a first look at the latest Boeing SLS production update, and an overview of a visit to the L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne production facility where RS-25 engine components are manufactured and assembled.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/NASAArtemis/status/1960083395196735966 (Artemis II crew update)Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:45 Starship flight test 10 accomplishes all objectives04:01 Artemis II Watch continues09:15 Behind the scenes with the Artemis II crew, simulating the burn to the Moon11:40 Visiting the Canoga Park RS-25 engine factory in the Los Angeles area15:36 Quick takeaways from late breaking Boeing SLS production update17:01 Thanks for watching!
Sep 7, 2025 While Congress and the White House continue to fight over the future of Artemis plans and money, Artemis II launch preparations continue at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Before going into how Washington avoided directly addressing problems or alternatives or schedules, in this video I'll run through the status of Exploration Ground Systems work for Artemis II and the balance of the Boeing SLS production update.There's also some Q&A about the objectives of the RS-25 engine acceptance test back in June that was blacked out after the White House announced plans to terminate future work. Even though Congress put more money into the President's big bill that is now law, news of that work is still in executive branch exile.A new NASA associate administrator was named this week from the Exploration directorate to focus on Exploration, but it remains to be seen how much control he will have to work on those problems and schedules.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/Gwynne_Shotwell/status/1962984963545981417https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1963333192938856662Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro01:32 Artemis II watch04:58 Boeing SLS production update09:41 A detailed recap of the RS-25 engine test in June16:21 Political news and notes now that Congress has returned21:02 Amit Kshatriya named the new NASA Associate Administrator23:44 Thanks for watching!
Sep 14, 2025 ✪ Members first on September 13, 2025In this video, I'll go through the latest in public on Artemis II launch preparations at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While Orion and its connector are going through final pre-stacking preparations and the astronauts and control teams continue their training, I got a graphic NASA Exploration Ground Systems to visualize the launch pad system that could allow Artemis II to stay there and avoid a rollback.In Washington, it looks like the recent Senate hearing about the race to put the next footprints on the Moon has changed what the White House says about Artemis III, but not what they do. And a few days later, China test-fired a Long March 10 ground article again, but everyone's launch forecasts remain unexplained.NASA also posted video showing the late August arrival of the Artemis V Orion crew module pressure vessel at KSC.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/Astro_Jenni/status/1965... • NASA to Share Details of New Perseverance ... https://bsky.app/profile/andrewjoness...https://bsky.app/profile/andrewjoness... / 1966404736925794634 Links to stories referenced:https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/...https://www.nasa.gov/general/artemis-...https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/du...https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/houston...https://www.china-in-space.com/p/long...Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:45 Artemis II watch this week04:21 EGS provides more documentation about their contingency pad access system11:11 Artemis V Orion crew module pressure vessel shipped to KSC in late August13:17 Second static fire for Long March 10 ground test stage14:43 House appropriations passes funding bill that includes NASA money16:19 White House changes Moon race rhetoric after Senate hearing, but Artemis III schedule still a mystery22:48 Thanks for watching!
Sep 21, 2025This week, I look at several Artemis updates, mostly about Artemis II. The preflight briefings will preview the mission next week, and NASA posted new pictures of launch processing milestones and new information about updates to the Artemis II SLS. Updates about Artemis III and IV came from outside NASA; the European Space Agency marked the formal handover of the Orion European Service Module for Artemis III and Busek posted a press release that it had delivered all four of its solar electric propulsion thrusters for the Gateway Power and Propulsion Element.Normally that would be a milestone that NASA would report, but Gateway is exiled from public updates by the White House because they had marked the program for death. Those NASA political games are also currently being played in Washington. The latest budget chicken deadline is October 1; we'll see if a stop-gap continuing resolution is passed by then.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Artemis II Preflight Briefings planned next week:Artemis II Science News Conference (Sept. 23, 2025)https://youtube.com/watch?v=SFvHUa4_VOUArtemis II Crew News Conference (Sept. 24, 2025)https://youtube.com/live/9mq_lb_SmKELinks to stories referenced:https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/09/amid-budget-uncertainty-nasa-gets-some-good-news-use-house-funding-levels/Links to social media posts:https://x.com/esaspaceflight/status/1967875932544479529Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:43 Artemis II watch this week03:38 First Artemis II joint integrated simulation06:36 Artemis II preflight briefings coming up08:38 Orion ESM-3 formally handed over to NASA; Artemis III Service Module IPO complete11:23 Busek delivers their set of SEP thrusters for the Gateway PPE module12:54 NASA catches up Core Stage-3 LOX imagery with footage of late August milestones17:37 Blue Origin awarded contract for Mark 1 lander to deliver VIPER to the Moon in late 202719:05 Political news and notes21:14 Thanks for watching!
Sep 28, 2025NASA started providing a detailed preview of the Artemis II lunar flyby test flight this past week during a media event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Overviews of the mission, the science, and the technology were livestreamed and the Artemis II flight crew named their Orion spacecraft Integrity during their news conference. I'll provide my first overview of the overviews here. For those who like digging for details, we were given the rare opportunity to interact with the people who will conduct the mission and the people who are training them. A deep dive will have to wait until I have more time to unpack all the information, but in this video I'll summarize what I saw in Houston. One of the signs in Houston this past week said "20 weeks to launch," so it sounds like they are still targeting February.Exploration Ground Systems is continuing to prepare the Artemis II flight hardware for launch and launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson also gave us a preview of the countdown. Going back a week, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel reported on a recent field trip to Starbase, and similar concerns about the Starship HLS schedule. Congress is the one pushing a race with China to land the next astronauts on the Moon, and they have voiced similar concerns about HLS, but so far nobody has talked about doing anything about it.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/SciGuySpace/status/1970624951930757301Links to stories referenced:https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/09/nasa-targeting-early-february-for-artemis-ii-mission-to-the-moon/https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/nasa-safety-panel-estimates-significant-delays-for-starship-hls/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:58 Artemis II media event in Houston03:30 The crew names the Artemis II Orion Integrity05:45 Launch, mission overviews08:47 20 weeks to launch?11:10 Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson updates vehicle preparations12:53 Artemis II Orion Stage Adapter moves to the VAB for stacking14:07 Changes to the Artemis II launch countdown17:34 JSC event provides a peek at Artemis II training in Houston19:05 First look at people and places we visited at JSC22:32 Other news and notes: ASAP has similar concerns about HLS schedule for Artemis III24:56 Final thoughts: visiting Houston for Artemis is rare26:00 Thanks for watching!How this content was made
Oct 5, 2025 Another quarter ended, with the U.S. government commemorating it by shutting down. Or something like that. The quarter did end and the U.S. government did shut down, which means NASA activities are blacked out for the time being. While we wait for nothing in particular, I'll review the highlights of what we saw and heard about NASA's Artemis programs during the previous quarter, the third quarter of 2025.NASA was under some kind of partial gag order about all the future Artemis activities that the White House wants to terminate, even if Congress is still going to pay for them. As Artemis II gets closer to launch, we're see more activities for a formerly public agency like NASA become secret, so that becomes more of a focus of attention when looking at Artemis III and IV in particular.The administration is deflecting talk about Artemis III delays and concealing Artemis IV activities, so that's taking up more of the reporting than Starship technology demonstrations or Gateway thruster deliveries. It makes you wonder why, but that's the big secret, isn't it?
Oct 12, 2025 ✪ Members first on October 11, 2025While we wait for the U.S. government shutdown to be resolved, I got an update from the Gateway's Power and Propulsion Element prime contractor, Lanteris Space Systems, on assembly and test. I'll also go through the latest on concerns about Starship HLS readiness, including internal studies about a backup option for Artemis III, and what another study about making Orion a commercial service says about the future of Artemis.In this video, I'll look at what we know about Artemis II preparations while the work continues in a shutdown-induced news blackout and some pictures from the recent tour of the L3Harris RS-25 engine production plant.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to stories referenced:https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/lockheed-martin-weighs-selling-orion-flights-as-a-service/https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/nasa-safety-panel-estimates-significant-delays-for-starship-hls/https://spacenews.com/private-mission-study-a-step-toward-offering-orion-as-a-service/https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/10/in-their-own-words-the-artemis-ii-crew-on-the-frenetic-first-hours-of-their-flight/https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/10/how-america-fell-behind-china-in-the-lunar-space-race-and-how-it-can-catch-back-up/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:53 Artemis work continues during U.S. government shutdown, but news and updates are blacked out03:25 An update on PPE assembly and test from prime contractor Lanteris Space Systems05:00 Artemis II Watch08:22 Blue Moon alternative to Starship for Artemis III?13:02 Lockheed Martin looking for an SLS off-ramp for Orion?17:58 L3Harris pictures from recent RS-25 plant tour21:04 Thanks for watching!
Oct 14, 2025This video includes part of a presentation from the Artemis II lunar science team during the media briefings at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in September. They talk about plans for the crew to make observations of the Moon during the closest approach in Orion during the mission, how the team on the ground will support those observations by the astronauts, and how everyone is training to get ready.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro01:41 Dr. Kelsey Young talks about Artemis II lunar science, themes and objectives14:20 Dr. Juliane Gross talks about how the illumination of the Moon varies and how it will affect the observation plan20:16 Dr. Marie Henderson talks about what the Artemis II will be doing onboard Orion on flyby day23:34 Thanks for watching!
Oct 19, 2025 ✪ Members first on October 18, 2025NASA and Artemis are targeting the Moon, and even in an update blackout, local Kennedy Space Center media caught the Artemis II Orion spacecraft headed to the Vehicle Assembly Building late this week. Next is stacking on SLS for launch. Starship flight test 11 was bigger mainstream news, but from an Artemis standpoint, it's getting harder to tell how big the Moon is in SpaceX's plans for 2026. These days, we're seeing more updates from Blue Origin about the technology development of their lunar transportation and lunar landing systems. SpaceX seems to be all about Mars now.The news blackout is still in effect; last time an Orion moved to the VAB, NASA provided live updates on social media, lots of pictures, and livestreaming, but this time, public relations/communications is one of many teams furloughed by the ongoing government shutdown. Under the political circumstances, it's hard not to wonder how much we would see of the Artemis II mission if the shutdown and the blackout were to stretch out to next year.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Space Coast Live (http://nsf.live/spacecoast) courtesy of NSF/NASASpaceflight, used with permission.NSF/NASASpaceflight Starship Flight Test 11 livestream: • SpaceX Starship Flight 11 - LAUNCH STREAM Links to social media posts:https://x.com/davill/status/1971697335882469451https://x.com/davill/status/1973527019557363723https://x.com/davill/status/1975959000132038664https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1976666017293074742https://x.com/davill/status/1976757458195693987Links to stories referenced:https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/let-the-rifs-begin/https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/reactions-to-jpl-firings/00:00 Intro01:45 Artemis II Watch: Orion moved to the VAB for stacking09:36 Starship flight test 11 complete...when will version 3 fly?12:42 Blue Origin is providing some updates on their HLS development15:41 Government shutdown continues, Artemis updates muted or blacked out altogether17:12 Thanks for watching!
Oct 22, 2025 ✪ Members first on October 21, 2025I asked for some questions last week about NASA's Artemis programs and recent news and in this video I answer some and respond to others that can't be answered. Viewers were interested in what's going on with Artemis II, the developing soap opera with the Artemis III lunar lander, and impacts from other, continuing, political shenanigans.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Artemis quarterly review playlist: • Quarterly Artemis review videos Links to social media posts:https://x.com/SecDuffyNASA/status/1980243865400701369https://x.com/SecDuffyNASA/status/1980257227760955637https://x.com/SecDuffyNASA/status/1980356677095350652Links to stories referenced:https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202406/12/WS6668f6b4a31082fc043cbff6.htmlhttps://english.news.cn/20240625/f409aacd8b3c452c8193f3354e1a6d1e/c.htmlhttps://arstechnica.com/space/2024/09/with-nasas-plan-faltering-china-knows-it-can-be-first-with-mars-sample-return/https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/let-the-rifs-begin/https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/reactions-to-jpl-firings/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:18 Does the government shutdown affect Artemis II operations?01:59 What do we know about the alternate Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander concept?07:06 Does Artemis have enough funding?09:10 What do we know about the Artemis II launch windows?10:35 How far along are future SLS builds? What about Blue Moon's Mark 2 lander?14:20 Can the Starship orbital refills in 2026 get them back on the Artemis III mid-2027 schedule?15:14 What are the schedule risks to Artemis II launching in February?17:24 What is the status of Artemis III and how does Artemis II affect that schedule?19:18 What could NASA do if it wins the lottery?20:07 When will we see the impact of all the 2025 NASA layoffis on Artemis?21:10 Are there alternatives to how Orion is currently stacked?22:23 Thanks for watching!
Oct 26, 2025Like a popular soap opera, Artemis III emotions overshadowed the completion of Artemis II stacking for launch, although NASA news is currently blacked out, which makes its own shadow over launch preparations. With the full Artemis II vehicle mated in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center, Exploration Ground Systems I'll go into what's left to do before launch and the biggest hurdles remaining.But that was overshadowed by the Artemis III "stuff." Acting NASA administrator, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said SpaceX's Starship lunar lander development is behind schedule and the agency is starting a search for alternatives to ensure a lunar landing by the end of President Trump's current term. That's only three years away -- Duffy has only been acting administrator for three months, so why did NASA wait until this year, when it's probably too late to make a change? And despite the theatrics on social media, no one said how late Starship is. Or maybe that was the point of the theatrics.We've been waiting for at least two years for an update from SpaceX or NASA on the Starship HLS critical path and milestone schedule, and even after all name calling this week, it remains a mystery. We still don't have the most important piece of information about why NASA should make this lunar lander change.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Final Artemis II launch preparations overview videos, with NASA EGS vehicle operations manager Matt CzechPart 1: • Artemis II launch preparations update, ful... Part 2: • Artemis II launch preparations update, Par... Links to social media posts:https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114826109463640311.https://x.com/PallottaPedro/status/1950910053076152430https://x.com/SecDuffyNASA/status/1980243865400701369https://x.com/SecDuffyNASA/status/1980257227760955637https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1980335879945351303https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1980645697390277051https://nitter.net/elonmusk/status/1980646183229145091https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1980767759614005712https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1981052689296584825https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1978124249907810706https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1980358992372076803Links to stories referenced:https://spacenews.com/musk-criticizes-duffy-amid-nasa-leadership-debate/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro01:48 Artemis II watch, vehicle fully stacked for launch14:46 Artemis III watch, Starship behind schedule, but no one says how late it is25:40 Other news and notes26:34 Thanks for watching!
Nov 9, 2025 ✪ Members first on November 8, 2025It's Groundhog Day again, for the second time Jared Isaacman is the nominee for NASA Administrator, but the situation is a little different almost a year after his first nomination was announced. I'll take a look at the challenge he is facing in the three years of President Trump's second term remaining.The government shutdown shows no sign of an end, so I'll look at some of the details of the Artemis II mission timeline we got before news updates ended.Last week I got an update on Boeing's SLS production status and also spoke to Lanteris Space Systems about Gateway Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) final assembly and test...in this video, I'll preview one and review the other.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/Astro_Jeremy/status/1984372227609923628https://x.com/rookisaacman/status/1985796145017471442Links to stories referenced:https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/11/capitol-hill-is-abuzz-with-talk-of-the-athena-plan-for-nasa/https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/trump-will-re-nominate-isaacman-for-nasa-administrator/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro01:54 Artemis II watch: what kind of outline do we have for the mission so far?17:33 Optical communications system demonstration on Artemis II might help with live video27:22 Boeing SLS production update33:49 Gateway PPE history ahead of Lanteris update on assembly and test37:45 President Trump nominates Jared Isaacman again to be NASA administrator43:33 Thanks for watching!
Nov 12, 2025RS-25 rocket engine prime contractor L3Harris is getting ready to acceptance another new flight engine for future Artemis launches and I recently visited their Los Angeles area production plant and caught up with their program.While they work to acceptance test new builds of the recertified engine for Artemis V and beyond, L3Harris is also supporting the stacking, assembly, and launch of the Artemis II, III, and IV SLS vehicles with pre-existing, but upgraded Space Shuttle era hardware.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Links to social media posts:https://x.com/L3HarrisTech/status/1987165715640586690Links to stories referenced:https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/rs-25-program-production-restart-test-series/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/ssme-returns-ar-22-rapid-reuse-ten-times-ten-days/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/07/aerojet-rocketdyne-six-engine-rs-25-run/Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro00:58 Background on the visit to L3Harris / Aerojet Rocketdyne Canoga Park04:19 Factory tour, many nozzles stand out13:19 Asking questions about RS-25 production and operations at Kennedy Space Center, beginning with early year Artemis II engine changeout19:56 Questions about getting ready to install Artemis III engines at KSC next year25:29 Asking about certifying RS-25 production restart29:45 Questions about the testing the first new flight engine back in June35:55 Asking about the next flight engines to be tested, that will fill out the set for Artemis V40:01 L3Harris thinking about more ground testing to test out future RS-25 improvements43:51 Thanks for watching!
Nov 16, 2025 ✪ Members first on November 15, 2025The U.S. government reopened at the end of the week, but it was closed for six weeks, so things will return to normal over several days. At least while funding is available to NASA, which currently until the end of January, so stay tuned.For now, NASA public affairs has started posting a backlog of imagery, but there's also a lot of interest in whether February is still viable for an Artemis II launch opportunity. (Also stay tuned.)In and around the government reopening, I'll go through the new Starship HLS date of end of 2028 and what that might mean for Artemis III and Artemis IV, since that would be well after those official, but probably stale launch dates. There's also other news: Airbus finished the Artemis IV Orion European Service Module, and L3Harris hot-fired their second new RS-25 engine, with the help of NASA Stennis Space Center.Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted.Sean Duffy on the Shawn Ryan Show: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7Vjh7pbMJI0L3Harris RS-25 SLS engine factory tour and program update: https://youtube.com/watch?v=fBilYfXaVT0Links to social media posts:https://x.com/AirbusSpace/status/1987855738132140483https://bsky.app/profile/nasawatch.bsky.social/post/3m5hubt33oc2yhttps://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1988807509428318534https://x.com/JeffBezos/status/1989092331635765378Join the channel for additional members-only content: / @philipsloss Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel.https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss00:00 Intro01:09 U.S. government reopens...until late January06:26 Artemis III Watch: Starship HLS is end of 2028?11:52 Other news and notes: Is New Glenn in Artemis 2026 news after a successful flight 2?13:58 Airbus completes ESM-4 for the Artemis IV Orion, shipping to KSC soon16:40 L3Harris and NASA Stennis acceptance test Artemis V RS-25 engine 2000218:56 Thanks for watching!
