Rocket Science in 60 Seconds: What Is the NASA SLS Rocket’s Exploration Upper Stage?
Kent Chojnacki is the associate manager for the Stages Office for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. In this episode, Chojnacki explains how the exploration upper stage will make the SLS rocket even more powerful and allow more cargo to be sent to the Moon on Artemis lunar missions and later on missions to Mars.
The Mission Continues: Space Shuttle Columbia National Tour Visits Marshall
On Feb. 1, 2003, space shuttle Columbia was returning from Earth orbit following a successful 16-day mission. Columbia and the seven-person crew of STS-107 never made it home. A new traveling exhibit and tour helps ensure that the legacies and lessons of the crew and space shuttle live on.
New Horizons Kuiper Belt Flyby Object Officially Named ‘Arrokoth’
In a fitting tribute to the farthest flyby ever conducted by spacecraft, the Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69 has been officially named Arrokoth, a Native American term meaning “sky” in the Powhatan/Algonquian language.
All 4 Engines Are Attached to SLS Core Stage for Artemis I
All four RS-25 engines were structurally mated to the core stage for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket for Artemis I, the first mission of SLS and NASA’s Orion spacecraft. To complete assembly of the rocket stage, engineers and technicians are now integrating the propulsion and electrical systems within the structure.
Space Gardening Aboard Station Ahead of Spacewalks
International Space Station Expedition 61 crew members are set for a slew of space gardening and life science activities after taking turns “weighing in” Nov. 13. The orbital residents are also nearing the start of a series of spacewalks to repair the station’s cosmic particle detector.
For more information or to learn about other happenings at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, visit NASA Marshall. For past issues of the ICYMI newsletter, click here.