SLS ‘Mega Moon Rocket’ with Integrated Orion Spacecraft Prepares for Rollout / Wet Dress Rehearsal
Simulated countdown sequencing software / hardware test is last step before highly anticipated (12th year of $23B+ program) rollout of USA flagship Space Launch System from KSC Vehicle Assembly Building to historic Launch Pad 39B, as problematic RS-25 engine controller replaced and checked; Fueled dress rehearsal set to occur NET mid-Feb followed by hot fire and inaugural Artemis 1 uncrewed lunar flyby NET March; Elements of Artemis 2-4 crafts currently being manufactured with ULA Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (Decatur AL) and Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-25 engines (New Orleans LA) being readied for KSC shipment
NASA Deputy Administrator Melroy declares “We are so ready for Artemis” during MSFC facility tour with Administrator Nelson, days prior to first meeting of revamped National Space Council led by VP Harris 1 Dec with focus on climate change mitigation, space conduct standards, STEM education; Space Priorities Framework specifies “landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon, advancing a robust cislunar ecosystem” as official goals of Biden administration; Northrop Grumman to build composite solid rocket boosters for Artemis 4-9 under US$3.19B / 10-year contract
VP Harris (L) utilizes space diplomacy with oldest USA ally France, possible 15th member state joining Artemis Accords agreement on lunar exploration / extraction planning Human Moon landings NET 2025; In turn VP Harris commits USA to France-led climate sat interoperability / data exchange Space Climate Observatory with 35 signatories including UNOOSA, Brazil, China, Israel, Russia, Sweden, UK Space Agencies; Roscosmos Director Rogozin (R) declares Luna-27 NET 2025 will be truly international; China neighbors in SE Asia including Thailand may join ILRS and/or Artemis
Progress update on Artemis / First Woman on the Moon / First Person of Color on the Moon coming via 
Lunar exploration thought leaders are meeting at International Astronautical Congress 2021 in Dubai; ‘Towards Sustainable Lunar Activities’, presented by Moon Village Association / moderated by physicist (clockwise from TL) John Mankins will feature panelists including Mike Gold of Redwire and Romanian Astronaut Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu; ESA plan for cislunar communications will be discussed during ‘Moonlight: Connecting Earth with the Moon’ with panelists Nelly Offord (SSTL), Dan Hendrickson (Astrobotic); ‘Building the Lunar Ecosystem Today’ has focus on lunar economy
Extending 
Agency Report issued in response to HLS protest, newly released to 
Conducted by Institute Of Competition Sciences, NASA SSERVI and UCF Exolith Laboratory with support from SC, FL, MN, ID, VA, NM Space Grant Consortiums, Plant the Moon and Plant Mars Challenges looking forward to the technologies and practices needed to sustain human life off Earth; Lunar regolith simulant being shipped to students nationwide, mentored by Science Advisory Board including (L-R) Nanoracks Chief Innovation Officer Michael Lewis, Scientist Chris McKay, Exolith Lab Chief Scientist Zoe Landsman; Opening Symposium 22 Sep
International Artemis coalition is on track per NASA Administrator Nelson, echoing JFK “We can do hard things”, reiterating 2021 Artemis I timetable uncrewed SLS launch / Orion distant retrograde orbit; Artemis II launching NET September 2023 with first crewed mission beyond LEO since Apollo 17, with 4-member crew including Canadian Astronaut to fly 8,889 km past Moon during 8-day trip; Artemis III 4-member Orion crew + 2-member surface team including first woman on Moon surface; NASA 
12U lunar pathfinder