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Artemis II Mobile Launcher 1 Undergoes Upgrades at Park Site

This compilation of resources showcases significant milestones accomplished by NASA's monumental lunar rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS). Following its inaugural flight with the Artemis I launch in November 2022, NASA, in collaboration with partners across the nation, has been consistently advancing in the construction, integration, and testing phases for the SLS rockets. These rockets will play a pivotal role in propelling the initial crewed Artemis missions – Artemis II, III, and IV. The video highlights encompass a variety of key moments: footage from the Artemis I launch, the assembly process of core stages for Artemis II and III at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, rigorous flight software testing conducted at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the production of launch vehicle stage adapters for Artemis II and III, also at the Marshall facility, visual documentation of the shipping and delivery of the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion System (ICPS) for Artemis III, and propulsion tests involving solid rocket boosters and RS-25 engines intended for forthcoming SLS missions. The compilation further features glimpses into the early production stages of the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS), a component that will offer in-space propulsion in the Block 1B configuration, starting with Artemis IV. With the Artemis initiative, NASA is actively pursuing the historic achievement of landing the first woman and first individual of color on the lunar surface. Within this overarching endeavor, SLS serves as a cornerstone for deep space exploration, working hand in hand with the Orion spacecraft and the Gateway, positioned in lunar orbit. Crucially, the SLS stands as the sole rocket capable of orchestrating comprehensive missions to transport Orion, astronauts, and essential supplies to the Moon in a single, impactful venture.

Leading a collaborative effort between NASA and the French space agency Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), a novel Earth science endeavor is set to facilitate future planning for communities worldwide. This mission aims to meticulously survey Earth's salt and freshwater bodies, offering insights for a better tomorrow. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) initiative will gauge water levels in oceans, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. As the impact of climate change accelerates the planet's water cycle, certain regions will face excessive flooding, while others will grapple with water scarcity. The SWOT project's data holds significant promise, particularly in advancing flood predictions and monitoring drought occurrences. This data becomes invaluable for entities like water management agencies, civil engineers, universities, the U.S. Department of Defense, disaster preparedness organizations, and other stakeholders vested in local water tracking. This video presentation delves into real-world applications of SWOT data within various communities. Insights are shared by diverse voices including a representative from the National Weather Service in Oregon, an engineer from the Alaska Department of Transportation, researchers affiliated with the University of Oregon and University of North Carolina, a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist collaborating with the Department of Defense, and a JPL scientist partnering with the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Agency. The video highlights several use cases of SWOT data application: Flood Monitoring in Portland, Oregon: The clip at the 30-second mark showcases how SWOT data aids in flood watches and warnings in Portland. Water Management at Fern Ridge Lake, Oregon: At 1 minute and 8 seconds, the video illustrates the role of SWOT in effective water management strategies, focusing on Fern Ridge Lake, Oregon. Infrastructure Protection in Alaska: The segment starting at 2 minutes and 5 seconds emphasizes the significance of SWOT data in safeguarding crucial infrastructure in Alaska. National Security via Department of Defense Collaboration: The video, beginning at 2 minutes and 54 seconds, elucidates the partnership between SWOT and the Department of Defense, enhancing national security through water data insights. Coastal Preservation in the Mississippi River Delta: At the 3-minute and 24-second mark, the video underscores how SWOT contributes to safeguarding the Mississippi River Delta's coastal regions. Anticipated to launch in December 2022 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the SWOT mission is a collaborative endeavor involving NASA, CNES, the Canadian Space Agency, and UK Space Agency. The United States component of the project is spearheaded by JPL, overseen by Caltech in Pasadena, California. This groundbreaking initiative holds promise in reshaping how communities worldwide plan for a more sustainable future.

NASA's Near-Earth Communication Network