Welcome to this week's update on NASA's latest news and developments. The most significant headline this week revolves around the agency's plans for the Artemis program, particularly the upcoming decisions on the Orion heat shield and the stacking of the Artemis II vehicle.
As we head into the final month of 2024, NASA is gearing up for crucial decisions that will shape the future of the Artemis program. The agency is expected to make a decision on the Orion heat shield before the end of the year, which could significantly impact the Artemis II launch schedule, currently slated for September 2025[1]. Meanwhile, preparations are underway to stand up the Artemis II SLS Core Stage for some offline work, indicating that despite the uncertainties, progress is being made.
On another front, NASA has provided more details to Congress about its decision to cancel the VIPER robotic lunar rover mission. The agency emphasized that the cancellation was due to budget constraints and the need to prioritize other missions. However, the decision has raised questions about how the data VIPER was intended to collect will be obtained, and NASA has invited non-NASA entities to respond to a Request for Information on how to get VIPER to the Moon without additional NASA funding[3].
In terms of partnerships, NASA has announced plans to assign missions for two future Artemis cargo landers to SpaceX and Blue Origin. These missions will deliver large pieces of equipment and infrastructure to the lunar surface, marking a significant step forward in the Artemis campaign to advance science and discovery on the Moon[5].
Looking ahead, the week of December 1-7 is packed with space policy events, including the launch of ESA's Proba-3 and Sentinel-1C missions, and a NASA SMD Virtual Town Hall on "No Due Date" programs[2].
These developments have significant impacts on American citizens, businesses, and international relations. The Artemis program, for instance, is a collaborative effort with international and industry partners aimed at sustained exploration of the lunar surface. The success of this program could pave the way for future exploration of Mars and beyond.
As Lisa Watson-Morgan, program manager for the Human Landing System at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, noted, "Having two lunar lander providers with different approaches for crew and cargo landing capability provides mission flexibility while ensuring a regular cadence of Moon landings for continued discovery and scientific opportunity."
For those interested in staying updated on NASA's latest news and developments, we recommend checking out the agency's official website and following space policy events. The public can also engage by attending virtual town halls and providing input on future missions.
Next steps to watch include the upcoming decisions on the Orion heat shield and the assignment of missions for the Artemis cargo landers. For more information, visit NASA's official website and stay tuned for future updates. Thank you for joining us this week.