NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 to Discuss Station Mission, Upcoming Return
NASA's SpaceX Crew-12, consisting of astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, ESA's Sophie Adenot, and Roscosmos' Andrey Fedyaev, is set to discuss their mission aboard the International Space Station and their upcoming return to Earth during a news conference on September 16. The crew has contributed to significant research aimed at preparing for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit, including studies on bacteria and fluid generation for future missions. Crew-12 will depart the ISS following the arrival of Crew-13, with mission teams monitoring weather conditions for their splashdown off the California coast.
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NASA Boosts Open Science, Data Sharing with Artemis Accords
NASA is enhancing open science and data sharing through the Artemis Accords, which emphasize transparency in lunar exploration. All 71 countries that have signed the Accords are committed to sharing scientific data from the Artemis program, including Moon rock samples and lunar datasets. Recently, NASA hosted a virtual workshop series to promote timely data release, fostering collaboration among international partners to advance lunar research and future human space exploration.
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NASA Invites Media to Djibouti Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony
NASA will host a signing ceremony for the Artemis Accords with the Republic of Djibouti on September 14, marking the country as the 72nd signatory. The event will be led by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and will emphasize the principles of safety, transparency, and coordination in civil space exploration. Media wishing to attend must RSVP by the morning of the event.
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NASA Answers President’s Call to Establish United States Space Academy
In response to President Trump's executive order, NASA is actively working to establish the United States Space Academy, aimed at shaping the future of the nation's aerospace workforce. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman led the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Commission on September 9, emphasizing collaboration across government agencies and inviting states to contribute to the academy's development through a Request for Information. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering talent and leadership in the U.S. space sector.
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Dust Storm Sweeps Over Mali
A recent dust storm swept across Mali, captured in an image by NASA's Terra satellite on September 5, 2026. This event, linked to powerful convective winds known as haboobs, highlights the ongoing dust activity in West Africa, even as summer winds down. Atmospheric scientists note that the developing El Niño could further influence dust patterns in the region by altering convection dynamics and the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
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Artemis II Crew at NASA Marshall
The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission, including astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, visited NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, on September 1, 2026. During the event, they shared insights from their mission and engaged in a Q&A session with the workforce that supported their journey into space.
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NASA Names Two Artemis II Astronauts to Emeritus Program
NASA has named Artemis II astronauts Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman to emeritus status, allowing them to continue contributing to the agency by mentoring and training the current workforce. Both astronauts played pivotal roles in the Artemis II mission, with Wiseman serving as commander and Glover as pilot, and they will now share their expertise as NASA prepares for future missions, including Artemis III in 2027. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised their leadership and commitment, emphasizing the importance of their ongoing contributions to the agency.
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Artemis III SLS stacking advances as Orion results confirm trajectory fix
NASA's Artemis III mission has made significant progress with the stacking of solid rocket booster segments at the Kennedy Space Center, now completing four of five segments. Meanwhile, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel confirmed that a modified reentry profile for Orion's Artemis II mission effectively reduced heat shield char-loss. Additionally, the Artemis IV hardware has seen advancements with the delivery of the boattail section, furthering preparations for future missions.
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Blue Origin expands test and launch sites across the Cape
Blue Origin is expanding its operations at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, including the development of a new test site known as the Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) for its second stage testing of the New Glenn rocket. The company is also taking over the historic B-2 test cell at NASA’s Stennis Space Center for further testing, while NASA's Pegasus barge recently delivered Artemis hardware and is now preparing to transport Blue Origin's equipment back. This expansion reflects Blue Origin's commitment to ramping up its launch and production capabilities in support of upcoming missions, including those related to Artemis.
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NASA Hosts Virtual Artemis Webinar for Blind, Low-Vision Community
NASA is set to host a virtual webinar on October 2, 2023, aimed at the blind and low-vision community, focusing on the RS-25 engine and its role in the Artemis missions. The two-hour event will feature an audio-described video of an engine test, a Q&A with an Artemis engineer, and discussions on accessibility in space and science. Interested participants must RSVP by September 25 to attend the informative session.
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NASA to Cover Progress 96 Spacecraft Launch, Docking
NASA will provide live coverage of the launch and docking of the Roscosmos Progress 96 cargo spacecraft, scheduled for September 9, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. EDT. Carrying three tons of supplies for the International Space Station crew, the unpiloted spacecraft will autonomously dock with the station on September 11. This mission continues to support ongoing research and human spaceflight efforts that are integral to the Artemis program and future deep space exploration.
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Rising Over Louisiana
On August 28, 2026, a significant partial lunar eclipse was visible across much of the Americas, with 96.3% of the Moon obscured by Earth's shadow at its peak. The event was captured in southern Louisiana, where NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility is located, a key site for the assembly of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that supports the Artemis missions. This celestial occurrence highlights the connection between lunar events and NASA's ongoing efforts in lunar exploration.
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NASA Selects Blue Origin as Mars Telecommunications Network Provider
NASA has awarded Blue Origin a contract valued at up to $700 million to develop the Mars Telecommunications Network, a cutting-edge communications system designed to support current and future Mars missions. This initiative aims to enhance reliable, high-bandwidth communications and navigation services, establishing a robust infrastructure for sustained exploration of Mars. The project aligns with NASA's Artemis program, which focuses on lunar exploration as a precursor to human missions to the Red Planet.
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Historic Engines Take Their Place on Artemis III
On August 24, NASA technicians began the installation of four historic RS-25 engines into the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis III mission, set to launch in 2027. Each engine, which has a rich flight history including missions with space shuttle Atlantis and Discovery, will play a crucial role in carrying the Artemis III crew into low Earth orbit. Notably, one of the engines previously supported the mission that made John Glenn the oldest person to fly in space.
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NASA Welcomes Türkiye as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
On August 31, 2026, Türkiye officially became the 71st signatory of the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, signed the agreement, which emphasizes international cooperation for peaceful and transparent space exploration. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted Türkiye's commitment to space exploration, noting its recent advancements in human spaceflight and inviting signatories to contribute to future Artemis missions.
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NASA’s Artemis II Crew Receives Congressional Space Medal of Honor
NASA's Artemis II crew, consisting of astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Wiseman, was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by President Donald J. Trump on August 28, 2026, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. This prestigious award recognizes their exceptional bravery and contributions during the Artemis II mission, adding them to a distinguished list of 34 recipients since the award's inception in 1969.
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NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim Departs Agency to Continue Military Service
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim has officially departed the agency after nearly ten years of service, including an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During his time at NASA, Kim contributed significantly to scientific research and operations, including overseeing a historic milestone where all docking ports on the ISS were occupied for the first time in 25 years. He will continue his military career as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy, with NASA officials praising his dedication and impact on future exploration missions.
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The electronics ‘under the hood’ of space networking
In a recent interview, Jeff Janicik, founder and chairman of Innoflight, discussed the technological advancements in space networking, particularly in relation to the Artemis mission and the Space Development Agency's initiatives. The conversation highlighted the importance of sophisticated electronics in supporting the ambitious goals of space exploration.
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NASA Begins Moon Mission Plume-Surface Interaction Tests
NASA has launched a series of plume-surface interaction tests at its Langley Research Center to study the effects of lunar lander engine plumes on the Moon's surface. Using a 60-foot vacuum chamber, the tests aim to gather critical data that will enhance predictive models and inform the design of hardware for upcoming Artemis missions, particularly Artemis IV in 2028. This complex testing campaign involves collaboration among various NASA centers, academic institutions, and commercial partners to ensure crew safety and mission success during lunar landings.
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Contractor to Civil Servant: NASA Welcomes Jeret Howard
NASA has welcomed Jeret Howard as a civil servant at the Stennis Space Center, transitioning from a long-time contractor to a logistics management specialist. With over 15 years of experience in rocket propulsion testing, Howard views this new role as a continuation of his commitment to national service, ensuring efficient use of taxpayer dollars while supporting critical testing operations, including those for Blue Origin. His journey reflects a deep personal pride in serving both his country and NASA.
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