AmericaSpace

Daily U.S. space news, weekend history articles & full coverage for every U.S. space launch.

AmericaSpace - For a Nation That Explores.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

@nintendobenzo @Bair_Witness Since 2020 Artemis III has been targeted as a lunar landing mission. The southern NRHO trajectory work is well along. If it looks like neither Blue or SpX will have a lander in LEO, another spectacular lunar mission could be in the offing.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

If, and only if, NASA’s height range of 58.5 inches to 76 inches is a key xEVAS roadblock, and acknowledging that a lot of good people would be denied a lunar landing if a more restrictive xEVAS height requirement were in place, then the question for NASA and Congress becomes whether keeping the current xEVAS height range or winning the Moon race is more important.

I was told that tightening the height range would greatly accelerate progress on the suit, but even more so ELCSS development.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

I was told KSC’s VAB High Bay 2 was chosen as SLS Core Stage final integration, including Engine Section, bc it allowed for 360° tip-to-tail access, speeding up final assembly. Michoud’s VAC is 170’ tall while the Core Stage is 212’. FYI, in 2024, VAB High Bay 2 was outfitted so that one Artemis Core Stage can be stacked/prepped while across the aisle another is being prepped too.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

Apparently, even if Blue or SpaceX get a lunar lander ready pre-2030, a big if already, a lunar landing with a purpose-built xEVAS suit is, realistically, a coin toss at best. NASA’s “competition and redundancy” architecture that justified the acquisition strategy is dead. At least NASA isn’t wasting money on Collins…🤦‍♂️
https://t.co/4JLvmX1gjF

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

SpaceX’s suit is a pressure suit, like that worn by Mercury, Gemini, and later Shuttle astronauts. Pressure suit ≠ EVA suit. Check out Nicholas de Monchaux’s, “Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo” for more. One problem with NASA’s EVA suit strategy is the requirement to be wearable by something like 95-98% of people in reasonable fitness.

And yes, in hindsight NASA should have simply updated the Apollo A7LB while deferring the one-suit fits all til later. 🤷‍♂️

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

Congratulations @NASA on a successful Artemis II mission and safe splashdown.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

Congratulations @NASA on a successful Artemis II mission and safe splashdown.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

Artemis II is screaming back to Earth, at about 3,250 km/s (about 7,300mph) and just under 64,000 km away.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

Congratulations @nasa on a successful launch of Artemis II and our march back to the Moon.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

@esaagar Try to enjoy what's being achieved today, something we haven't done since 1972, and the gorgeous images. There is little gained from achieving lunar orbit on this first crewed Artemis mission. Like the @NASA @NASAAdmin said, they are cramming a lot of goals in a single mission.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

@ThePrimalDino You're right. As someone who serves at the pleasure of the President, Isaacman has not choice but to publicly support the PBR. Doing otherwise in any administration would be improper.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

@ApoStructura There's a small chance HLS may land on the Moon in two years, but there's an asymptotically zero chance it will be a Starship lunar lander making that journey.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

https://t.co/Gyn3J6FXlb

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

Congratulations @nasa on a successful launch of Artemis II and our march back to the Moon.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

The Artemis II mission is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

https://t.co/EPD6sUdrGG

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

This is going to be epic to view the Artemis II launch in a VisionPro.

[Cosmic Perspective @considercosmos]

The first round of Artemis cameras are set inside the pad! Just a few more sites remain tomorrow. The energy is building at @NASAKennedy and this crew is ready for adventure! @Blackmagic_News

[Cosmic Perspective @considercosmos]

The first round of Artemis cameras are set inside the pad! Just a few more sites remain tomorrow. The energy is building at @NASAKennedy and this crew is ready for adventure! @Blackmagic_News

[AmericaSpace @AmericaSpace]

@NASA @NASAArtemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal saw the Artemis stack successfully fueled, no hydrogen leak issues as before, and in refill mode. Orion has been buttoned-up and the close-out crew has departed. Great test today!

https://t.co/Si0P3VwgXm