Astro Hawk (Ian Kluft) ✅🚀🛰️"Artemis II Crew Enters Quarantine Ahead of Journey Around Moon" by NASA Artemis - #NASA #Artemis2 crew entered 14-day quarantine set to support the earliest possible launch window. Though an official launch date for the 10-day flight around the #Moon🌒 is not yet set. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/01/23/artemis-ii-crew-enters-quarantine-ahead-of-journey-around-moon/ #Artemis #space
#Space #trivia: the population of the #Moon🌕 has never been more than 2 humans at a time on the surface, or 3 if you count those in orbit. However, that will increase to 4 in orbit if #NASA #Artemis2 goes as planned.
"Countdown Begins for Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal" by #NASA #Artemis - Dress rehearsals in show business or #rocketry mean a practice run like the real thing. With rockets, "wet" means it includes filling liquid propellant tanks. If you saw "wet dress" and thought something else, you get a one-time pass because some rocketeers decades ago undoubtedly intended it that way to be funny. #SLS is a big rocket which takes many hours to fill. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/01/31/countdown-begins-for-artemis-ii-wet-dress-rehearsal/ #Artemis2 #Moon🌕️ #space
"Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Test Terminated at T-5:15" by #NASA #Artemis - #SLS rocket launch rehearsal did not complete due to a liquid hydrogen leak. Tanks are being drained to safe the vehicle. After troubleshooting or repairs, the wet dress rehearsal will have to be done again up to the point of aborting before ignition would happen in the countdown on an actual launch attempt. No announcement yet of effects on launch scheduling. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/03/artemis-ii-wet-dress-rehearsal-test-terminated-at-t-515/ #Artemis2 #Moon🌖 #space #rocketry
"NASA Conducts Artemis II Fuel Test, Eyes March for Launch Opportunity" by #NASA #Artemis - While the #SLS rocket appears to have done fine in the fueling countdown rehearsal, liquid hydrogen leak in the ground support equipment will need repairs. They'll aim for launch windows in March. The astronauts are released from pre-launch quarantine, which they will re-enter 2 weeks before the new planned launch date. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/03/nasa-conducts-artemis-ii-fuel-test-eyes-march-for-launch-opportunity/#Artemis2 #Moon🌖 #space #rocketry
"NASA completes a smooth rehearsal for historic Artemis 2 moon launch" by GeekWire / @alanboyle - After repairs, #NASA #Artemis2 launch rehearsal successfully tested all the systems, propellant loading and launch scrub procedures. New launch schedule TBA. https://www.geekwire.com/2026/nasa-smooth-rehearsal-artemis-2-moon-launch/ #Moon🌒 #space #rocketry
"Artemis II Crew Enters Quarantine Ahead of March Launch Opportunity" by #NASA #Artemis - #Artemis2 crew enters pre-launch quarantine beginning in Houston (where all NASA astronauts are based) and then travel on a NASA jet to the Florida launch site 5 days before launch. Starting quarantine now holds open the option for a March 6 launch window. Other work needs to be completed at the pad, reviewing test data and an in-depth Launch Readiness Review. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/20/artemis-ii-crew-enters-quarantine-ahead-of-march-launch-opportunity/ #Moon🌒 #space #rocketry
"NASA Troubleshooting Artemis II Rocket Upper Stage Issue, Preparing to Roll Back" by #NASA #Artemis - A blockage has been detected in plumbing for helium pressurant in #SLS upper stage. Rolling back the SLS rocket stack to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) will prevent launching in 2 weeks. Expect the astronauts to be released from pre-launch quarantine. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/21/nasa-troubleshooting-artemis-ii-rocket-upper-stage-issue-preparing-to-roll-back/ #Moon🌒 #space #rocketry
"NASA Artemis II Rocket Returns for Repairs" by #NASA #Artemis - The #SLS rocket for #Artemis2 was safely rolled back from Pad 39B to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), hangar for the big rockets. Up next: troubleshooting the helium pressurant plumbing. While it's there, all the batteries will be swapped out to have maximum capacity for flight. (Constantly topping off batteries slowly erodes full charge capacity similar to your phone.) https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/25/nasa-artemis-ii-rocket-returns-for-repairs/ #Artemis #Moon🌔 #space #rocketry
"NASA Finalizes Artemis II Rollout, Crew Begins Quarantine" by #NASA #Artemis - In support of the currently-scheduled #Artemis2 launch in 2 weeks on Wed April 1 (no fooling! 🃏), #SLS/#Orion 🚀 rollout to the pad is scheduled to begin Thu March 19 at 8pm EDT. Also, the 4 astronauts 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇦 entered pre-launch quarantine in Houston, with travel in quarantine to the launch site 5 days before. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/03/18/nasa-finalizes-artemis-ii-rollout-crew-begins-quarantine/ #Moon🌕 #space #rocketry
"Weather for NASA’s Artemis II Mission Launch 80% Favorable" by #NASA #Artemis - Pre-launch countdown (checklist) for #Artemis2 begins 4:34pm EDT Monday (today) for launch Wednesday. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/03/30/weather-for-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-launch-80-favorable/ #SLS #Orion #Moon🌕️ #space #rocketry
For anyone new to rocket launches, taking an interest because of #NASA #Artemis2 crewed🧑🚀 launch to the #Moon🌝...
Try as best you can to set expectations that rocket🚀 launches can be delayed. Weather, mechanical & electronics can cause delays or completely scrub (postpone) a launch. Launch procedures are for safety, not for spectators. When it flies, we want the mission achieved safely. If you hadn't thought of it, any delay becomes a huge disappointment. Patience. #SLS #Orion #space #rocketry
"Watch NASA count down to the launch of humanity’s first moon voyage in nearly 54 years" by GeekWire / @AlanBoyle - #NASA #Artemis2 launch window opens 6:24pm Eastern/3:24pm Pacific. The 2-hour launch window allows some room for delays due to weather or technical issues. Weather is currently 80% chance of go (20% chance of scrub). https://www.geekwire.com/2026/nasa-countdown-artemis-moon/ #Artemis #Moon🌕️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space #rocketry
"What do scientists hope to learn from NASA's historic Artemis 2 moon flyby?" by @Spacecom - #Science objectives of #NASA #Artemis2 include space medicine, radiation sensors and observations of the far side of the Moon which were not in daylight during any Apollo missions. But the big thing is testing the spacecraft on its first flight with a crew, so that's not all new on Moon landing missions. https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/what-do-scientists-hope-to-learn-from-nasas-historic-artemis-2-moon-flyby #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space #rocketry
Now under 2 hours to opening of the launch window for #NASA #Artemis2. Here's what to expect when the rocket launches, whether today or another upcoming launch window. #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
#NASA #Artemis2 coverage says there are no issues with the rocket. But the launch range (Cape Canaveral Space Force Station) is currently "no go" while working a technical issue related to the flight termination system. (Every big rocket has a system to destruct the rocket if it goes off course toward a populated area.) It is not yet known if this can or will be resolved before the launch window closes. If it is, everything else is still go. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
Countdown holding at T-10 minutes for various readings that need another look. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
Pre-launch poll of directors is "go", T-10 minutes and counting: ground launch system computer takes over for terminal count. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+01:10 Now beyond the point of maximum dynamic pressure "Max Q". #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+8 minutes several sequential events: SLS core stage main engine cutoff and stage separation. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
Now in Earth orbit, coasting up to higher altitude before next rocket burns which will raise perigee (low point of the orbit) and then apogee (high point of the orbit). Next: solar panels will deploy at T+20. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
The fast-paced part of the flight is done and appeared nominal (good). After solar panel deployment and two rocket burns to stabilize in high Earth orbit, they'll assess the readiness of the spacecraft to proceed to the Moon. Watch for the "translunar injection burn" TLI (rocket firing) after T plus one day 1 hour for leaving Earth orbit on a trajectory to circle the Moon. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+20:00 Orion solar arrays deployed. This was a necessary test that had to pass in order to continue the mission. (animation erroneously depicts rocket engine firing - it is in coast) #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
"NASA launches 4 astronauts to the moon on historic Artemis 2 voyage, a lunar leap for the 21st century" by @Spacecom - For the first time in over 50 years, astronauts launch on the way to the Moon. https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-launches-4-astronauts-to-the-moon-on-historic-artemis-2-voyage-a-lunar-leap-for-the-21st-century #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+49 minutes: perigee raise maneuver (1381×115 statute miles) - entry to safe orbit. NASA is concluding the NASA+ stream coverage but continues on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
A little orbital dynamics for those interested in the #NASA #Artemis2 mission:
To raise the perigee (low point) of an orbit, the rockets have to be fired at apogee (high point). That part is done.
Conversely, to raise the apogee (high point), rockets are fired at perigee (low point). That's coming up.
#Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
To raise the perigee (low point) of an orbit, the rockets have to be fired at apogee (high point). That part is done.
Conversely, to raise the apogee (high point), rockets are fired at perigee (low point). That's coming up.
#Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
VenusianMars@AstroHawk Thank You! If you feel like answering, is the inverse necessary due to position of Orion after first maneuver, or am I uninformed of some other aspect? *knows nothing of anything 😬
@VenusianMars No, every orbital launch needs to re-light the engines for an orbit-raising maneuver at apogee. That's because the trajectory exiting the atmosphere is on an elliptical course that would go through the launch site. Since they don't want to re-enter the atmosphere, they raise the low end of the orbit with a burn at the high end. That's just when orbital mechanics dictates those burns must be done for the speeds to add up in the right directions.
@AstroHawk Right, but why is it the opposite and not just "upping" into the next layer of orbit by hitting said mark at same time/interval each "uppance"?
@VenusianMars Now I think you're messing with me. Homework assigned: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_maneuver
@AstroHawk 😳 I am not messing with you, sorry you think so. Thanks for responding.
@VenusianMars OK, I accept that. Thanks for clarifying. Online it can be hard to tell sometimes.