Experience the Rollout of SLS Hardware for Artemis III

Experience the Rollout of SLS Hardware for Artemis III

This photo shows NASA and Boeing, the SLS core stage lead contractor, preparing the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage for shipment at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. On July 6, NASA and Boeing moved the Artemis II rocket stage to Building 110. The move comes as teams prepare to roll the massive rocket stage with its four RS-25 engines to the agency’s Pegasus barge for delivery to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in mid-July. Prior to the move, technicians began removing external access stands, or scaffolding, surrounding the core stage to assess the interior elements, including its complex avionics and flight propulsion systems. The stage is fully manufactured at NASA Michoud.
This photo shows NASA and Boeing, the SLS core stage lead contractor, preparing the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket core stage for shipment at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
NASA/Eric Bordelon

Digital creators and social media users are invited to register to attend the rollout of the third SLS (Space Launch System) core stage as it is prepped to head from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Are you passionate about social media and communications? Do you love to create content for an audience? Are you a fan of new, unique experiences? If you said yes, this NASA Social event is for you! This is your opportunity to be on the front lines as NASA continues to lay the groundwork for future deep space exploration.

The NASA Social event will be a one-day event as soon as mid to late April pending the launch of Artemis II. A maximum of 20 digital creators will be selected to attend this event and will be given access similar to news media.

NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Tour NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility
  • Learn directly from subject matter experts
  • Meet fellow digital creators and social media users
  • Spend time with members of NASA’s social media team
  • View the rollout of the SLS core stage for Artemis III

NASA Social registration for the hardware rollout opens on this page on Tuesday, April 7, and the deadline to apply is noon EDT on Friday, April 10. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

APPLY NOW

Do I need to have a social media account to register?

Yes. This event is designed for people who:

  • Actively use multiple social networking platforms and tools to disseminate information to a unique audience.
  • Regularly produce new content that features multimedia elements.
  • Have the potential to reach a large number of people using digital platforms.
  • Reach a unique audience, separate and distinctive from traditional news media and/or NASA audiences.
  • Must have an established history of posting content on social media platforms.
  • Have previous postings that are highly visible, respected, and widely recognized.

Users are encouraged to follow @NASAArtemis for Artemis updates on XFacebook, and Instagram. Updates and information about the event will be shared on X via @NASA_Events.

How do I register?

Registration for this event opens April 7 and closes at noon EDT on April 10. Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferable. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can I register if I am not a U.S. citizen?

No, this event is open to only U.S citizens

When will I know if I am selected?

After registrations have been received and processed, an email with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to those selected. We expect to send the first notifications on Monday, April 13.

What are NASA Social credentials?

All NASA social applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those chosen must prove through the registration process they meet specific engagement criteria.

What are the registration requirements?

Registration indicates your intent to travel to NASA Michoud and attend the one-day event in person. You are responsible for your own expenses for travel, accommodation, food, and other amenities.

The schedule of events and special guest appearances are subject to change without notice. NASA is not responsible for loss or damage incurred as a result of attending. NASA, moreover, is not responsible for loss or damage incurred if the event is canceled with limited or no notice. Please plan accordingly.

Michoud is a government facility. Those who are selected may need to complete additional steps to receive clearance to enter the secure areas.

IMPORTANTThose without proper identification cannot be admitted.

For United States Citizens:

You will be required to present a REAL ID compliant identification or valid U.S. passport PLUS one of the following:

Acceptable documents to accompany federal or state identification:

  • U.S. Passport
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A)
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Document issued by DHS that contains a photograph (Form I-688B)
  • Driver’s license or ID card issued by a state or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address
  • ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities, provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address
  • School ID card with a photograph
  • Voter’s Registration Card
  • Military Dependent’s ID Card
  • U.S. Military card or draft record
  • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
  • Native American Tribal Document
  • U.S. Social Security Card issued by the Social Security Administration (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment)
  • Original or Certified copy of birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying possessions of the United States bearing an official seal
  • U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
  • ID Card for use of Resident Citizens of the United States (Form I-179)
  • Unexpired employment authorization document issued by DHS (other than those listed previously)

For Legal Resident Aliens:

  • Same items required of U. S. Citizens, and:
  • Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph (Form I-551)
  • Unexpired Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688)
  • Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545 or Form DS-1350)

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

All registrants must be at least 18 years old.

What if the rollout date changes?

Many different factors can cause a scheduled date change. NASA may adjust the date of the NASA Social accordingly to coincide with a new target rollout date, and will notify registrants of any changes via email.

If the event is postponed, attendees will be invited to attend at a later date. If the rollout is postponed beyond 72 hours, the NASA Social event may be canceled.

NASA Social attendees are responsible for any additional costs they incur related to any launch delay. We strongly encourage participants to make travel arrangements that are refundable and/or flexible.

What if I cannot come to Michoud Assembly Facility?

If you cannot come to NASA Michoud and attend in person, you should not register for the NASA Social. Join the conversation by following @NASAArtemis on XFacebook, and Instagram,

If you cannot make this NASA Social, don’t worry; NASA is planning many other NASA Social events in the near future at various locations! Check for updates on NASA Socials.

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Gary Daines

NASA to Host Media Call with Artemis II Crew on Way Home from Moon

NASA to Host Media Call with Artemis II Crew on Way Home from Moon

Midway through their lunar observation period on Monday, April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew members, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, pause to turn the camera around for a selfie inside the Orion spacecraft.
Midway through their lunar observation period on April 6, 2026, the Artemis II crew members, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, pause to turn the camera around for a selfie inside the Orion spacecraft.
Credit: NASA

Media will have an opportunity at 9:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 8, to speak with NASA’s Artemis II crew members as they continue their journey toward Earth during their historic mission around the Moon.

The 20-minute virtual news conference will take place with NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Live coverage will stream on NASA’s YouTube channel. An instant replay will be available online. Learn how to watch NASA content on a variety of platforms, including social media.

Members of the media previously credentialed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and planning to be onsite must RSVP for consideration to ask a question during the call. NASA will prioritize media outlets that have not yet spoken to the Artemis II astronauts in space.

To participate virtually in the call, media must RSVP no later than 1 p.m. on April 8 by emailing lauren.e.low@nasa.gov. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online.

With just days until the crew splashes down off the coast of San Diego on Friday, April 10, the Artemis II test flight has reached multiple milestones, including a successful launch, manually piloting the Orion spacecraft, multiple spacecraft moves to propel Orion to the Moon and adjust its course during the flight, surpassing the Apollo 13 record for farthest crewed spaceflight, and a lunar flyby to view the far side of the Moon.

Artemis II is the first crewed mission under the agency’s Artemis program, where NASA is sending astronauts on increasingly difficult missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Learn more about the mission by visiting:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii

-end-

Lauren Low
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
lauren.e.low@nasa.gov

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Gerelle Q. Dodson

Drought Parches Florida

Drought Parches Florida

A map of Florida shows the driest aquifers in red and orange.
Shallow groundwater aquifers are driest in northern and central Florida in this map based on observations acquired on March 30, 2026, by the GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) satellites.
NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin

Florida is among the wettest U.S. states, but that doesn’t mean it is drought-free. Nearly all of Florida faced at least “moderate” drought, and nearly 80 percent faced “extreme” conditions in April 2026, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Unusually dry conditions gripped the state for much of 2025, but the intensity and extent of the drought ratcheted up starting in January 2026.

Data from a NASA and German Research Center for Geosciences satellite mission show that the drought has left its imprint on the state’s underground water supplies, which are often tapped for drinking water and farming. The map above combines data from the twin GRACE-FO (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On) satellites and ground-based measurements to estimate the relative amount of groundwater stored underground as of March 30, 2026. The colors depict the wetness percentile, or how the amount of shallow groundwater compares to long-term records (1948–2010). Blue areas have more water than usual, and orange and red areas have less. Aquifers in the northern and central regions of the state are particularly dry.

The drought is being felt throughout Florida. Some water districts have imposed restrictions on when water can be used for certain activities, such as lawn watering and car washes. News reports suggest that the dry weather poses a threat to crops, many of which already suffered severe damage during hard freezes in February. Large wildland fires have flared up in some areas, and even wetland ecosystems like the Everglades face unusually dry conditions.  

Florida droughts are represented by red and orange spikes of varying sizes and widths in this time-series chart.
The 2025-2026 drought is the most severe to affect Florida since 2012, data from the U.S. Drought Monitor show.
NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin

U.S. Drought Monitor records indicate that the current drought is the most widespread and severe to affect the state since 2012. Many areas have received less than half their normal rainfall since September 1, 2025, according to the National Weather Service. St. Petersburg has seen only 7.7 inches (195.6 millimeters) of rain since September 1, compared to the normal 19.0 inches, making this the driest year on record for that period. 

However, the current drought does not yet rival the worst drought that has parched the state, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. Their analysis indicates that the 2000–2001 drought was more intense, lasted longer, and affected a larger area. GRACE-FO observations are among the sources of information that the U.S. Drought Monitor considers when mapping drought conditions in its weekly assessments. Forecasters anticipate that a slow-moving rainstorm set to hit Florida this week may offer some relief.

NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using GRACE-FO data from The National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Story by Adam Voiland.

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NASA’s Artemis II Crew Eclipses Record for Farthest Human Spaceflight

NASA’s Artemis II Crew Eclipses Record for Farthest Human Spaceflight

The Artemis II crew floats in Orion; NASA astronaut Christina Koch smiles at the camera as NASA a
On Monday, April 6, 2026, six days into the Artemis II mission, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen surpassed the record for human spaceflight’s farthest distance from Earth, which was previously set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.
Credit: NASA

Four astronauts aboard NASA’s Artemis II test flight around the Moon made history at 12:56 p.m. CDT on Monday, traveling 248,655 miles from Earth, surpassing the record for human spaceflight’s farthest distance previously set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. At its farthest point, crew inside the Orion spacecraft will have traveled about 252,760 miles, before looping back toward our home planet, setting the new record for human spaceflight.

Six days into the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen continued collecting pictures of the Moon on their voyage away from Earth.

“At NASA, we dare to reach higher, explore farther, and achieve the impossible. That’s embodied perfectly by our Artemis II astronauts – Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy. They are charting new frontiers for all humanity,” said Dr. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “Their dedication is about more than breaking records – it’s fueling our hope for a bold future. Their mission is carrying our promise to return to the Moon’s surface, this time to stay as we establish a Moon Base.”

NASA’s Orion spacecraft began its journey to the Moon following a successful April 1 launch on an SLS (Space Launch System) rocket from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After conducting a series of burns to break free of Earth orbit the following day, the spacecraft set its path toward the Moon.

Following their record achievement, crew provided brief, emotional remarks. The world heard from CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen aboard Orion:

“From the cabin of Integrity here, as we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from planet Earth, we do so in honoring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration. We will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything that we hold dear. But we most importantly choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived.”

In addition to their spaceflight record, crew suggested naming two craters on the Moon during their flight. The first is named in honor of their spacecraft, Integrity. The second honors Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll. After this mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be formally submitted to the International Astronomical Union, the organization that governs the naming of celestial bodies and their surface features.

When they fly past the Moon later, crew will come within about 4,070 miles from its surface at the closest approach. The astronauts will be the first to see the far side of the Moon with human eyes and are the first to travel behind the Moon. Finally, they will witness a solar eclipse as the Moon passes in front of the Sun.

NASA is expecting to lose communication with the astronauts for about 40 minutes during a planned blackout period. The break will occur as the Moon blocks signals between the spacecraft and the Earth through the Deep Space Network. When Orion reemerges from behind the Moon, it is expected to quickly reacquire contact with flight controllers in the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. 

During their lunar flyby, a fleet of cameras will capture imagery of the Moon, including features humans have never directly seen. The astronauts will use a variety of digital handheld cameras to conduct high-resolution photography of the lunar surface. Artemis II is providing astronauts an opportunity to gather data as one of the most powerful scientific tools for observation are the four pairs of eyes observing lunar features with varying illumination and texture.

Photos, videos, mission telemetry, and communication information are all sources of data from the test flight, which will be used to inform future Artemis missions as the agency embarks on development of its Moon Base.

The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway through their mission. The crew is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07 p.m. EDT (5:07 p.m. PDT) on Friday, April 10. Following splashdown, recovery teams will retrieve the crew members using helicopters and deliver them to the USS John P. Murtha. Once aboard, the astronauts will undergo post-flight medical evaluations in the ship’s medical bay before traveling back to shore to meet with an aircraft bound for NASA Johnson.

Under the Artemis program, NASA will send Artemis astronauts on increasingly challenging missions to explore more of the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and to build on our foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

For the latest mission progress, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii

-end-

Cheryl Warner / Rachel Kraft
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
cheryl.m.warner@nasa.gov / rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov

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Last Updated

Apr 06, 2026

Editor
Jennifer M. Dooren

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Jessica Taveau

NASA’s Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Mission Overview 

NASA’s Northrop Grumman CRS-24 Mission Overview 

NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission, or Northrop Grumman CRS-24, will deliver approximately 11,000 pounds of science and supplies to the International Space Station. This mission will be the second flight of the Cygnus XL, the larger, more cargo-capable version of the company’s solar-powered spacecraft. 

The Cygnus XL will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following arrival, astronauts aboard the space station will use the Canadarm2 to grapple Cygnus XL before robotically installing the spacecraft to the Unity module’s Earth-facing port for cargo unloading. 

NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to deliver research and supplies to the International Space Station.
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to deliver research and supplies to the International Space Station.
NASA
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission will deliver more than 11,000 pounds of research and supplies to the International Space Station.
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 mission will deliver more than 11,000 pounds of research and supplies to the International Space Station.
NASA
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Mission 24 will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Mission 24 will launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
NASA
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 spacecraft is named in honor of NASA astronaut Steven Nagel. Selected by NASA in 1979, Nagel is a veteran of four space flights (STS-51G and STS-61AA in 1985, STS37 in 1991, and STS-55 in 1993) and has logged more than 723 hours in space. Nagel died in 2014.
NASA’s Northrop Grumman Commercial Resupply Services 24 spacecraft is named in honor of NASA astronaut Steven Nagel. Selected by NASA in 1979, Nagel is a veteran of four space flights (STS-51G and STS-61AA in 1985, STS37 in 1991, and STS-55 in 1993) and has logged more than 723 hours in space. Nagel died in 2014.
NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams will be on duty during the Cygnus spacecraft’s approach and rendezvous. Hathaway will be at the controls of the Canadarm2 robotic arm ready to capture Cygnus as Williams monitors the spacecraft’s arrival.
NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Chris Williams will be on duty during the Cygnus spacecraft’s approach and rendezvous. Hathaway will be at the controls of the Canadarm2 robotic arm ready to capture Cygnus as Williams monitors the spacecraft’s arrival.
NASA

Science Highlights 

Along with supplies and equipment for the crew, Cygnus XL will deliver a range of scientific investigations to the International Space Station that helps to advance knowledge and technology in support of the Artemis program. This research includes:  

A new module for the Cold Atom Lab to expand its research capabilities and improve our understanding of general relativity, planetary composition, and dark matter. The Cold Atom Lab advances quantum research to improve technologies, such as solar cells, MRI scanners, and components that power phones and computers.

A new module for the Cold Atom Lab to expand its research capabilities and improve our understanding of general relativity, planetary composition, and dark matter. The Cold Atom Lab advances quantum research to improve technologies, such as solar cells, MRI scanners, and components that power phones and computers. 

An investigation (InSPA-StemCellEX-H2) studying blood stem cell production in microgravity to create a larger number of therapeutic cells. Successful stem cell production could advance healthcare on Earth for patients with certain blood diseases and cancers.
NASA

An investigation (InSPA-StemCellEX-H2) studying blood stem cell production in microgravity to create a larger number of therapeutic cells. Successful stem cell production could advance healthcare on Earth for patients with certain blood diseases and cancers.  

An investigation (Nanoracks-ITSI) that measures how radio signals sent from Earth change as they pass through the upper atmosphere. These measurements could improve models that predict the impacts of solar activity and space weather, which can disrupt technologies like GPS navigation and radar tracking systems.
NASA

An investigation (Nanoracks-ITSI) that measures how radio signals sent from Earth change as they pass through the upper atmosphere. These measurements could improve models that predict the impacts of solar activity and space weather, which can disrupt technologies like GPS navigation and radar tracking systems.  

A study (CBIOMES) of how spaceflight impacts the relationship between organisms and their gut microbiome. Researchers will observe changes in roundworms down to the cellular level to identify ways to maintain microbiome stability and help protect astronaut health on future Moon and Mars missions.

A study (CBIOMES) of how spaceflight impacts the relationship between organisms and their gut microbiome. Researchers will observe changes in roundworms down to the cellular level to identify ways to maintain microbiome stability and help protect astronaut health on future Moon and Mars missions. 

Mission Hardware 

A study (CBIOMES) of how spaceflight impacts the relationship between organisms and their gut microbiome. Researchers will observe changes in roundworms down to the cellular level to identify ways to maintain microbiome stability and help protect astronaut health on future Moon and Mars missions. 

  • The European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device is a compact exercise system that help preserve muscle mass and bone health in microgravity. By enabling a broader and more adaptable range of resistance exercises, this device combines cycling, rowing, and resistance training in addition to the ability to perform rope-pulling and climbing movements, even when unpowered. The device was jointly developed by NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). 
  • The Supplemental Heat Rejection Evaporative Cooler provides heat rejection for the orbiting laboratory in the event of dual thermal control system loop failures. The cooler connects to the vacuum system and multiple onboard water sources to evaporate water through hollow fiber membranes.  
  • The Ocular Coherence Tomography is a noncontact medical imaging device that uses reflected light to produce detailed cross-sectional and 3D images to actively track the eye during imagery. Tracking eye movement with simultaneous dual-beam imaging minimizes motion artifact, enables noise reduction, and allows the instrument to precisely track changes in crew eye health over time. This unit will replace a degraded unit in orbit

Additional Hardware

  • 8 hatch seal covers, to be installed over current hatch seals 
  • 2 batteries to support the operations of the Zarya module 
  • 3 resupply water tanks for the water storage system 
  • 1 nitrogen tank and 1 oxygen tank, used for recharging spacesuits and maintaining a pressurized environment on space station 
  • 1 pretreat and water dispenser, a spare unit for the Waste and Hygiene Compartment 

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Mark A. Garcia