Latest news with #Artemis
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Blocks all stacked for NASA's future Artemis tower at KSC
There's still more than a year's worth of work to do on NASA's future Artemis launch tower at Kennedy Space Center, but all of the big pieces have been put in place. The last of seven modular steel blocks that make up the bulk of the tower's height was put into place on July 2 by the tower's contractor Bechtel. The block called Mod 10 brings it to 377 feet tall from the base structure. "This achievement underscores our ongoing partnership with NASA and local unions, and the team's steady progress toward safe delivery of this critical infrastructure," the company said in an emailed statement. Progress has been tracked on the company's website with the latest addition dubbed "Reaching the Top." Mod 4 was the first of the seven blocks put in place on Jan. 3, growing the structure 272 feet in less than six months. Mod 10 will support the Crew Access Arm for ML-2, which is among the parts that have yet to be assembled before the company's deadline of November 2026 for delivery to NASA. ML-2 is designed for use on a larger version of NASA's Space Launch System rocket, which won't fly until at least the Artemis IV mission on NASA's roadmap in late 2028. The first three Artemis missions have or will use the ML-1, which was converted from use from NASA's defunct Constellation program. Artemis I was the first launch of SLS, an uncrewed test flight that sent Orion out to the moon and back. Artemis II will be the first crewed flight of Orion, looking to send four astronauts on a trip around the moon without landing no later than April 2026. Artemis III looks to return humans to the moon for the first time since the end of the Apollo program in 1972. That mission, which is reliant on the completion of SpaceX's in-development Starship as a human landing system as well as new spacesuits from Axiom Space, is targeting launch by summer 2027. Whether or not ML-2 would ever be used was in question as President Donald Trump's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 sought to end the SLS rocket program as well as the Orion spacecraft, Gateway lunar space station and NASA's Exploration Ground Systems team based at KSC after the flight of Artemis III. But Congress, led by an effort from Sen. Ted Cruz, was able add more than $10 billion in this year's "Big, Beautiful Bill" to save SLS for both the fourth and fifth launches of Artemis as well as set aside money for Orion and Gateway. Both versions of the Senate and House budget bills for 2026, moreover, look to keep funding for Artemis' existing programs in place. Congress is the ultimate decider of what the federal budget will look like, although without an agreement, it's possible NASA will simply continue with funding based on current levels with continuing resolutions. Still, with funds already set aside, work continued in earnest to get ML-2 ready for the fourth Artemis flight. It's supposed to fly the first part of the Gateway station, and would use the larger version of SLS called the Block 1B that has more payload capacity. It too would feature a rendezvous and moon landing with Starship. The Artemis V mission is supposed to be the first flight to use Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander instead of Starship. NASA will still need to perform about a year's worth of tests and added work after Bechtel hands it off in 2026. The ML2 project, which was initially a $383 million contract awarded in 2019, had an original delivery date of 2023. A NASA Office of Inspector General audit released in August 2024 said the costs had already nearly tripled to more than $1 billion with the delivery date pushed into late 2026. It's part of the growing costs and delays associated with all facets of the Artemis program. In 2023, the OIG said by the time Artemis III flies, the program will have topped $93 billion in costs since it was originally announced in 2012. -------------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Landing on Mars just got real: Researchers reveal perfect site for astronauts
Source: Universe Today As space exploration accelerates, a new study brings Mars closer to human footsteps. This study is published in the Journal of Geophysical Research. Researchers have found an ideal landing site on Mars, one that offers both safety for landing and crucial access to buried water ice. Led by the University of Mississippi, the study highlights three regions in Amazonis Planitia, with AP-8 emerging as the top contender. This recent discovery supports safer landings but also enables in-situ resource utilization , meaning extracting ice for drinking water, food production, and fuel. It spots a major step forward in turning Mars colonization from concept to concrete planning. In recent years, the pace of space innovation has accelerated dramatically, such as Artemis program by NASA (preparing to return humans to the Moon), China's Chang'e missions bringing lunar samples back to Earth, and India's Chandrayaan-3 successfully landing near the Moon's south pole. In a similar vein, SpaceX has revolutionized access to space with reusable rockets, commercial crew flights, and bold ambitions for Mars colonization. Simultaneously, these milestones trace a new age of exploration, where interplanetary travel is not a dream but a developing reality. In this spirit of progress, researchers have now found the most promising landing site for humans on Mars. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research , examines a major step toward sending humans to Mars: researchers have identified potential landing sites that offer both safety and access to one of the Red Planet called Mars's—most valuable resources, ice. Researchers at the University of Mississippi map out regions where underground water ice is likely to be present just below the surface, making future missions more self-sustaining and scientifically rich. Why ice matters on Mars by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo For humans to survive on Mars, water is critical—for drinking, growing food, and even making fuel. Since sending enough water from Earth is impractical, scientists have been on the hunt for places where astronauts could extract ice directly from the Martian soil. This study helps zero in on such promising regions. 'If we're going to send humans to Mars, you need H2O and not just for drinking, but for propellant and all manner of applications. And finding it close to the surface is helpful because we can easily extract it and use it. This is called in situ resource utilization, and it's an important practice for any space exploration,' said Erica Luzzi, a planetary geologist and postdoctoral researcher. Where could humans land? The research team examined three areas on Mars in Amazonis Planitia known as AP-1, AP-8, and AP-9, using high-resolution imagery and topographic maps. These areas were selected because they show signs of subsurface ice and relatively flat terrain, attributes important for landing spacecraft safely. Among the three, AP-8 stood out as a top candidate. It featured a wide variety of landforms that suggest water ice activity in the past or present, such as certain types of terrain patterns and craters. Terrain that hints at ice Scientists focused on identifying specific surface features that signal the presence of buried ice: Polygonal terrain: These crack-like patterns in the ground are common in cold regions on Earth and Mars and often mean ice is just beneath the surface. Two types were found—Knobby Polygon Terrain (KPT) and Smooth Polygon Terrain (SPT)—each indicating slightly different ice-related processes. Brain Coral Terrain: With twisty ridges resembling brain tissue, this terrain type is linked to repeated freezing and thawing cycles. It's located at slightly lower elevations, which may make it easier to reach potential ice deposits. Expanded Craters: These odd-looking craters seem to have grown larger over time, likely because of the melting and shifting of subsurface ice. The shapes and structures of these craters offer strong evidence of past water activity. Inverted Craters: Even more unusual, some craters appear raised instead of sunken, a sign of erosion and protective layering that could preserve ancient ice beneath them. A Landing site at Mars that ticks all boxes Qualities that make these sites particularly exciting are that they are Scientifically interesting (lots of variety in surface features) Likely to contain water ice Flat and safe enough for landing spacecraft The combination of all three makes these spots ideal not just for landing, but for setting up a base and supporting long-term human exploration. Also Read: First time astronomers capture earliest signs of planet formation around a young star | Watch video
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
South Korea sets ambitious goal to build a moon base by 2045
South Korea has announced plans to establish a lunar base by 2045, marking a significant leap in the nation's space exploration ambitions. This goal is part of a comprehensive exploration roadmap revealed by the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) on July 17, which outlines several key missions in lunar exploration, space science, and microgravity research. KASA's ambitious plan includes developing homegrown technology for lunar landings, rovers, and resource extraction, such as mining water ice from the moon. The nation is also focused on preparing the necessary infrastructure to support long-term lunar missions, as reported by The Korea Times. The blueprint aims to see South Korea land a robotic mission on the moon by 2032, with a more advanced lander under development for a potential mission in 2040. The goal of constructing a permanent economic base on the moon by 2045 is part of the country's broader vision to enhance its position in global space exploration. South Korea just laid out its long-term space exploration road map, which features the planned construction of a moon base two decades from now. — (@SPACEdotcom) July 20, 2025 South Korea is already laying the groundwork for its lunar aspirations. In August 2022, the country successfully launched its first moon probe, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri), which reached lunar orbit and continues to study the moon. In addition, prototype lunar rovers have been tested in an abandoned coal mine, simulating conditions for potential space mining operations. KASA's goal is to foster innovation that can eventually lead to a sustainable lunar presence, similar to plans announced by other space-faring nations, according to The United States, through NASA's Artemis programme, is also working on lunar bases, while China has partnered with Russia for a similar endeavour. India, too, has its sights set on building a moon base by 2047. In addition to its lunar ambitions, South Korea's space agency is also eyeing Mars, with aspirations of conducting its first Mars landing by 2045. As nations around the world ramp up their efforts for lunar exploration, South Korea's goal reflects the increasing global interest in the moon as a hub for scientific and economic opportunities.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
NASA's summer of discontent may be coming to an end
NASA has had a difficult early summer, between a proposed budget that would eviscerate the space agency's science programs and President Trump's sudden withdrawal of billionaire private space traveler Jared Isaacman from the nomination to be administrator of NASA. Even so, there are signs that NASA's fortunes may be looking up. The space agency has a new administrator — sort of. As Ars Technica reports, Trump has appointed Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy as interim NASA administrator, pending the nomination and confirmation of a permanent space agency head. Duffy is said to have a 'colorful background' since he was a cast member in a reality show called 'Real World Boston.' But his four terms as a member of Congress constitute more relevant experience. The careers of Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), another former House member, and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), a former senator, demonstrate that political experience can be an advantage when dealing with Congress, which funds and sets the direction of NASA. Duffy may be spread a little thin, having to run the Department of Transportation as well as NASA. It is also unclear what kind of power he will have to affect policy. Duffy could confine himself to trying to enact the White House's agenda, which involves draconian cuts to NASA's science programs and focuses on human space exploration of the moon and Mars under the Artemis program. On the other hand, someone who has ties to Congress and who can get Trump on the phone could make a good start in forming a space policy that is acceptable to both the White House and Congress. Duffy as a bridge between two branches of government could be useful because Congress is in open revolt against the executive branch's space agenda. Senate appropriators are rejecting the cuts to NASA's science programs and are developing a bill that more or less funds them. The bill also reflects ideas advanced in the Big, Beautiful Bill in that it funds the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft past Artemis III and the Lunar Gateway. The House appropriators are marking up a similar spending bill. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), the chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies that funds NASA, made the reason pretty clear as to why the appropriators are sticking to the original Artemis plan for now. 'For NASA, the bill reflects an ambitious approach to space exploration, prioritizing the agency's flagship program Artemis, and rejecting premature terminations of systems like SLS and Orion before commercial replacements are ready,' he said. When and how those commercial replacements would be ready is not clear. Much will depend on how private sector launch systems and spacecraft evolve. The SpaceX Starship is one of those launch systems that might become the center of a commercial Earth to moon transportation system. Unfortunately, recent tests of the Starship have resulted in spectacular failures. The Blue Origin Blue Moon is another vehicle that could become part of a commercial lunar transportation system. A smaller, cargo version of Blue Moon is slated to launch on a New Glenn rocket perhaps as early as 2025. The larger crewed version is likely years away from flying. Progress on the Starship, Blue Moon and possibly other spacecraft will doubtless inform Congress' attitude about going commercial to the moon in the future. One possible fly in the ointment is Duffy's somewhat fraught relationship with Elon Musk. While Musk's Department of Government Efficiency did initiate hardware and software enhancements to the air traffic control system, Duffy clashed with Musk over an alleged attempt to fire air traffic controllers in the midst of a series of aircraft disasters. The acrimony between the two men may be a feature rather than a bug so far as President Trump is concerned. Trump withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator partly over alleged personal ties with his fellow billionaire. Questions remain. Can Duffy help to turn NASA, reeling from proposed budget cuts and a leadership vacuum, around? Can he make peace with Musk and continue the NASA-SpaceX partnership that has so profited both organizations? Can Trump find a permanent NASA head in a timely fashion? Can the Senate confirm that nominee quickly? Can the White House and the Congress agree on a budget and a policy that makes sense for America's space ambitions? The answers to these questions should be forthcoming with all due speed. Mark R. Whittington, who writes frequently about space policy, has published a political study of space exploration entitled ' Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? ' as well as ' The Moon, Mars and Beyond ' and, most recently, ' Why is America Going Back to the Moon? ' He blogs at Curmudgeons Corner.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
From Apollo 11 to Artemis: Why Nasa's legacy is under threat
Fifty-six years after Neil Armstrong 's historic first step on the Moon, Nasa is leading the drive to send astronauts to the lunar surface once more, though it is feared at the expense of its own scientific programmes. The agency is marking Moon Day on July 20, the anniversary of the famous Apollo 11 landing, as it navigates a period of transition without a Senate-confirmed administrator. While US President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' secures funding for Artemis, Nasa's flagship Moon exploration programme, the White House spending plan slashes the budget for the agency's Earth science, astrophysics and planetary research divisions by nearly half. Scientists and space policy experts told The National that the US is sacrificing some of its most ambitious scientific projects to keep the lunar return on track. Dr Gordon Osinski, an Earth sciences professor at the Western University in Ontario, Canada, and a geology team member for Artemis III, said he is concerned about the long-term effect these cuts could have. 'While Artemis II appears to be on schedule for a spring 2026 launch, I am concerned about US budget cuts, the big exodus of senior Nasa employees and what this means for returning humans to the surface of the Moon in the Artemis III mission,' he said. Some Nasa employees are set to hold a protest on Moon Day in Washington DC in a bid to save the agency's science divisions. "We're fighting for science, engineering and exploration," the protest website reads. "Tell Congress to push back on the 2025 Presidential Budget Request that cuts Nasa science by 47 per cent, Stem education by 100 per cent, and Nasa's full budget by 25 per cent." Artemis boost but science takes hit The Trump administration has made crewed exploration a centrepiece of its space agenda. The 'Big Beautiful Bill', signed into law on July 4, features billions of dollars in additional funding for the Space Launch System, Orion capsule and Lunar Gateway projects. But the White House's proposed budget cuts would reshape programmes in favour of crewed exploration, slashing funding for climate monitoring satellites, planetary missions such as the Mars Sample Return and major space telescopes in development. Dr Dimitra Atri, scientist at NYUAD, said current space policy lacks the clarity and consistency that helped propel the Apollo missions. 'The public's relationship with space exploration has changed dramatically since Apollo's collective wonder in 1969,' he said. 'Today's achievements, while technically sophisticated, struggle to capture that same imagination, especially when delays and setbacks dominate headlines. 'Apollo went from [US president John F] Kennedy's 1961 announcement to lunar landing in eight years, while Artemis has spent over a decade working to return astronauts to lunar orbit, something we accomplished 50 years ago with far less capabilities.' Nasa has been a global leader in explorative space science for decades, responsible for some of the most ground-breaking missions in history. The Hubble Space Telescope, for example, revolutionised astronomy by capturing deep-space images that reshaped our understanding of the universe. Nasa's fleet of Mars rovers, including Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance, uncovered evidence of past water activity and potential habitability on the Red Planet. The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, is offering unprecedented views of the early universe and distant exoplanets. On Earth, the Terra and Aqua satellites have played a key role in monitoring climate change. Rising global competition While Nasa deals with the reshaping of its programmes, other countries are making steady progress with their Moon plans and scientific space missions. China completed the first lunar far side sample return with its Chang'e-6 mission and is planning a crewed Moon landing before 2030. Fifty-four countries are part of the US-led Artemis Accords, an international agreement on peaceful and transparent lunar exploration. Dr Osinski said Moon Day should remind the world of the value of international co-operation and science-driven exploration. 'Moon Day is an excellent way to focus the world's attention on the past, present and future of lunar exploration,' he said. 'While its date is based on the first US landing on the surface of the Moon, it has grown to represent much more than this and to be a global celebration. 'International collaboration is key to space exploration and so Moon Day can provide some sorely needed inspiration and an example of the good that can come about when countries work with each other, not against.' Shift to commercial space Nasa's increasing reliance on commercial partners is also shaping how it now approaches exploration. SpaceX's Starship is central to Artemis III's landing plan and Axiom Space is developing the new generation of lunar spacesuits. Dave Barnhart, chief executive of California space infrastructure company Arkisys, said the rise of commercial space is a natural evolution, one that can benefit science in the long run. 'Nasa was the pioneer to create the environment for commercial cargo to the ISS, which is now leading to development of commercial space stations,' he said. 'Likewise, they contracted several companies to lead new vehicle development and test flights to the Moon, which has encouraged true investment.' He said that even if Nasa's scientific leadership weakens in the short term, global and private-sector collaboration could generate even greater returns. 'We are going to gain far more than just what one government organisation could apply to the problems,' he said.
