NASA Exploring Long Term Options for Human Transport Between Gateway and Lunar Surface
New procurement initiative Lunar Exploration Transportation Services (LETS), part of HLS program under Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, issues RFI with focus on establishing permanent high frequency Moon surface “ferry” to / from cislunar gateway, both human-rated and capable of hauling heavy payloads such as architectural structures, NLT 2028, inquiries due 5 Aug; NASA NextSTEP N: Sustainable Human Landing System Studies and Risk Reduction solicitation also offering US$45M for HLS support services, applications due 2 Aug; U.S. GAO protest decision expected 4 Aug
Artemis 1 At KSC Ready For 18-m Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Upper Stage Next Week, Now Fitted With 9.1-m Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter Atop 65m Core, Itself Sitting Between 54-m Twin Solid Fuel Boosters; Orion Stage Adapter And Crew Module Mass Simulator To Follow In Stacking Sequence, Completed Total Height ~98m; Uncrewed Artemis 1 Launch Still Hoped For 2021, Acceleration And Kinetic Forces To Be Measured By Seated 
Administrator Bill Nelson Outlines Vision For Future Of USA Space Activity, Telling 
NASA Moon Rover VIPER Meets Risk, Cost And Schedule Constraints Of ‘Key Decision Point C’ Internal Assessment, Clearing Way For Operational Planning And Construction; 1.5×1.5×2.5m, 430kg Vehicle To Be Built At JSC With Instrument Input From KSC / Honeybee Robotics, Managed From Ames Research Center, Is To Land Late 2023 Via Astrobotic Griffin In MSP Region For ~100 Day Mission During Which 1-Meter TRIDENT Drill And 3 Spectrometers Will Be Controlled With Little Lag From Earth Through X Band / Deep Space Network As Volatile-Seeking Mission Traverses 20km
Administrator Jim Bridenstine Signals Term Will Not Extend Into Biden/Harris Government, Reported By Aerospace Daily; Current NASA Head Ranks “Continuity Of Purpose” As Vital Aspect Of Program Success, Which Has Seen Lunar Progress Stymied By Inter-Administration Reprioritization In Past; “Bipartisan, Apolitical… Strong Support For Artemis” Found On “Both Sides Of The Aisle”, Bridenstine Assures; With Appointment 23 April 2018, The 13th NASA Administration May Be Shorter In Duration Than Historically Typical, However Achievements (Building Artemis Coalition, Human Lander Contracts) Have Significantly Advanced Space / Lunar Exploration Momentum
Administrator Jim Bridenstine Says NASA Wants To Recreate “The Awe Of Apollo For A New Generation – The Artemis Generation” By Utilizing Contemporary And Innovative Visual Technologies Such As High Definition Recording, Wide Angle/Panoramic Lenses, Virtual Reality, Digital Compression, Selfie Sticks And Body Cameras During Artemis II, 2023; Media, Academia, Industry, Organizations And Individuals Are Encouraged To Submit Imagery Ideas NLT 11 Dec; Bridenstine Widely Praised Within Space Community For Deftly Steering Major Powers Toward Moon Exploration Coalition Despite Uncertain Political Realities, And Ought To Be Retained