Latest data updates for Artemis II Mission Tracker.https://watchboard.dev/en-ushttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-13/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-13/NASA's revised Artemis lunar lander plans are taking shape, with new details emerging on the modified mission architecture.Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTbreakinghttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-07/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-07/Two gap-day event files created for June 6–7. Artemis III crew reveal is 2 days away (June 9, 11 a.m. EDT, JSC); Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex announced a public watch party. The final 8 Artemis III SLS solid rocket booster segments, which departed Northrop Grumman's Utah facility on June 2, are approaching KSC by rail and expected to arrive June 8–11 for summer stacking. The Artemis II crew is on Day 58 post-splashdown at JSC. Blue Origin LC-36 recovery continues; CEO Dave Limp's year-end 2026 return-to-flight target via alternative vertical conops remains the stated plan. IFT-12 FAA mishap investigation ongoing; IFT-13 blocked from flight license (July–August 2026 earliest). KPIs and meta updated to reflect Day 58 and 2-day crew-reveal countdown.Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-06/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-06/As of June 6, 2026, NASA's Artemis program is three days from the landmark Artemis III crew announcement scheduled for June 9 at 11:00 a.m.Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-05/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-05/Three gap-day event files created for June 3–5. Key developments: Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp announced June 3 targeting New Glenn return-to-flight before year-end 2026 using alternative vertical launch conops, with the propellant farm at LC-36 surviving intact — shortening the recovery path considerably versus initial worst-case assessments. On June 4, NASA confirmed the final 8 Artemis III SLS five-segment solid rocket booster segments departed Northrop Grumman's Utah facility by Union Pacific rail, arriving KSC in 2–3 days for summer stacking. The Artemis III crew reveal is 4 days away (June 9, JSC, 11 a.m. EDT). Crew Day 56 post-splashdown. KPIs, political (Dave Limp added), map points (Northrop Promontory updated with shipment detail), and meta updated to reflect June 5 program status.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-04/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-04/Eight five-segment solid rocket booster motor segments departed Northrop Grumman's Railyard Shipping Facility in Corinne, Utah on June 2, 2026, pulled by a Union Pacific commemorative locomotive (No.Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-03/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-03/Blue Origin CEO Announces Year-End Return-to-Flight Target — Alternative Vertical Launch Conops Planned for LC-36 Recovery; Artemis III Crew Reveal 6 Days Away.Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-02/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-02/Planet Labs SkySat satellite imagery (June 1–2) revealed the full extent of damage at Blue Origin's LC-36: the transporter-erector is destroyed, one lightning tower collapsed, and the main launch tower sustained structural damage. Industry assessments conclude that the rebuild timeline is unknown, ranging from months to over a year — Blue Origin has issued no formal restoration schedule. Moon Base I's fall 2026 delivery remains on hold. The Artemis III crew announcement countdown is now 7 days (June 9, JSC, 11 a.m. EDT). The Artemis II crew is on Day 53 of post-flight reconditioning at JSC, and the FAA's Starship IFT-12 investigation remains active (IFT-13 blocked, earliest July–August 2026). KPIs and meta updated to reflect Day 53 status and LC-36 damage assessment findings.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-01/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-06-01/Two gap-day event files created for May 30 and June 1. The major development: Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded at Cape Canaveral LC-36 during a prelaunch static fire test on May 29, destroying the rocket and damaging the only pad Blue Origin operates — placing Moon Base I's fall 2026 delivery in jeopardy since New Glenn is the sole launcher for the Blue Moon Endurance cargo lander. As of June 1 (Day 52 post-splashdown), the Artemis III crew announcement is 8 days away (June 9, 11 a.m. EDT, JSC). The FAA's IFT-12 mishap investigation remains open, blocking IFT-13 until SpaceX's corrective-action report is approved (earliest July–August 2026). The May 25 event year field schema bug was corrected. KPIs, meta, claims, and map points updated to reflect the New Glenn explosion impact and latest program status.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-31/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-31/Three gap-day event files created covering May 29–31: NASA's Moon Base program confirmed 3 uncrewed robotic lunar missions targeting 2026 (Blue Origin Blue Moon Endurance, Astrobotic Griffin, Intuitive Machines Nova-C Trinity); the IFT-13 FCC window opened May 29 but Starship remains grounded by the ongoing FAA IFT-12 mishap investigation with return-to-flight projected July–August 2026. The Artemis III crew announcement countdown is now 9 days out (June 9, 11 a.m. EDT, JSC); the Artemis II crew is on Day 51 post-splashdown at JSC continuing reconditioning. KPIs and meta updated to reflect Day 51 status and the June 9 crew reveal timeline. The year field schema bug in the May 27 event was corrected from 'May 27, 2026' to '2026'.Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-30/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-30/Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) during a prelaunch static fire test on May 29, 2026.Sat, 30 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-29/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-29/NASA Fast-Tracks Moon Base With 3 Launches in 2026; IFT-13 FCC Window Opens But FAA Grounding Holds.Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-28/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-28/The FAA formally grounded Starship operations on May 27-28, requiring SpaceX to complete a mishap investigation into IFT-12's Booster 19 boostback burn failure before IFT-13 can receive a flight license — pushing the earliest Starship launch to Q3 2026 and further delaying the orbital propellant transfer demonstration needed for Artemis III HLS qualification. NASA's Artemis III crew announcement at Johnson Space Center is 12 days away (June 9, 11 a.m. EDT, NASA+); the official international media RSVP deadline of May 28 passed today. Two new Moon Base contractor map points were added: Firefly Aerospace (Cedar Park, TX — MoonFall drones) and Lunar Outpost (Golden, CO — $220M Pegasus LTV). The Artemis II crew is on Day 48 post-splashdown at JSC.Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-27/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-27/NASA's May 26 Moon Base news conference awarded nearly $1 billion in initial contracts: Astrolab ($219M CLV-1 crewed rover), Lunar Outpost ($220M Pegasus LTV), Blue Origin ($188M Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance cargo lander to deliver both rovers to the south pole), and Firefly Aerospace (MoonFall hopping drones). Moon Base I — Blue Origin's delivery to Shackleton Connecting Ridge — targets fall 2026, making it the first hardware at the Moon Base site. NASA also confirmed the Artemis III crew will be revealed June 9, 2026 at 11 a.m. EDT at JSC (live on NASA+). The FAA's IFT-12 mishap investigation continues with no resolution; IFT-13 cannot launch until cleared. Events, KPIs, claims, political, and meta updated.Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-26/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-26/NASA held its Moon Base strategy news conference on May 26, 2026 at 2 PM EDT at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-25/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-25/IFT-13 (Ship 40 + Booster 20, Starship V3) has an FCC window opening May 29 but a modified suborbital profile is expected after IFT-12's Booster 19 boostback failure; the FAA mishap assessment must clear before SpaceX receives a flight license, pushing the earliest IFT-13 to Q3 2026. This slips the orbital propellant transfer demo — a NASA Artemis HLS prerequisite — from June 2026 to Q3-Q4 minimum. NASA made two leadership changes: Matt Anderson sworn in as 16th Deputy Administrator (May 21) and an agencywide realignment to accelerate mission delivery announced (May 22); a Moon Base strategy briefing is scheduled for May 26 at 2 PM EDT. The Artemis II crew are on Day 45 post-splashdown at JSC; Artemis III spacer fabrication continues at Marshall. Events, KPIs, claims, map points, and meta updated.Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-24/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-24/IFT-12 (Starship V3 debut, May 22) delivered a split result: Ship 39 successfully reached a suborbital trajectory, deployed 22 Starlink V3 simulators, and splashed down nominally in the Indian Ocean — with the V3 heat shield confirmed to have performed well. Booster 19 was lost after a boostback burn anomaly caused an uncontrolled spin and Gulf of Mexico crash; the FAA has launched a mishap assessment targeting June 2026 and SpaceX must receive sign-off before IFT-13. NASA confirmed on May 24 that Artemis III will fly with an inert structural spacer in place of the ICPS upper stage, preserving the sole remaining ICPS for Artemis IV (first crewed lunar landing, ~2028); Marshall Space Flight Center has begun fabricating the spacer. The Artemis II crew are on Day 44 post-splashdown at JSC. Events, KPIs, claims, political, and map points updated.Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-23/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-23/SpaceX completed its post-flight assessment of Starship Integrated Flight Test 12 (IFT-12), which launched May 22, 2026 at 22:30 UTC from Orbital Launch Pad 2 (OLP-2) at Starbase.Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-22/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-22/SpaceX scrubbed IFT-12 (Starship V3 debut) on May 21 at T-40 seconds — a hydraulic pin in the Ship Quick Disconnect tower arm failed to retract, with secondary water diverter and QD issues also found. All three faults were resolved overnight. The retry window opens tonight at 6:30 PM EDT (22:30 UTC) from Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase. IFT-12 will be the first flight of Starship V3 (Block 3, Booster 19 + Ship 39), the inaugural OLP-2 launch, and the first Starship to carry NASA-required docking port and propellant-transfer hardware for Artemis III HLS qualification. The Artemis II crew continue Day 42 post-splashdown reconditioning at JSC. KPIs, claims, and meta updated to reflect the scrub details and retry status.Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-21/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-21/SpaceX Starship IFT-12 — the maiden flight of Starship V3 (Block 3), Booster 19 + Ship 39 — reached launch day on May 21, 2026 with a 6:30 PM EDT (22:30 UTC) window from the new Orbital Launch Pad 2 at Starbase. After two one-day schedule adjustments (NET shifted May 19→20→21, no technical anomalies), the vehicle is fully stacked and GO. Ship 39 carries the first-ever Starship docking port and propellant-transfer hardware, required by NASA for Artemis III HLS qualification. This is also the inaugural OLP-2 launch and the first Starship flight in approximately seven months. Three gap-day event files were created (May 19 delay announcement, May 20 final countdown confirmation, May 21 launch day), KPIs updated to reflect Day 41 post-splashdown and imminent launch, claims updated, and meta updated with breaking status.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-20/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-20/IFT-12 NET Confirmed May 21 at 6:30 PM EDT — Starship V3 Ready for Pad 2 Debut Launch.Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-19/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-19/SpaceX announced a one-day slip on May 19, 2026, moving the Starship Integrated Flight Test 12 (IFT-12) Net Earliest Timing (NET) from May 19 to May 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM EDT (22:30 UTC).Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-18/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-18/SpaceX Starship IFT-12 (Booster 19 + Ship 39 — Starship V3 debut) entered T-1 day terminal countdown at Orbital Launch Pad 2, Starbase on May 18 as the NET was quietly adjusted one day to May 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM CDT — no anomaly reported, vehicle healthy and GO. T-1 operations included final avionics checks, propellant timeline coordination, Eastern Range safety polling, and weather confirmation for the May 20 primary window. IFT-12 marks the first launch from Starbase's second orbital pad and the first Starship to carry NASA-required docking port and propellant-transfer hardware for Artemis III HLS qualification. The Artemis II crew continues post-flight reconditioning at JSC on Day 38 post-splashdown; Orion heat shield visual inspection continues at KSC's MPPF. KPIs, claims, and meta updated.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-17/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-17/IFT-12 (Starship V3 — Booster 19 + Ship 39) entered T-2 day final countdown operations at Orbital Launch Pad 2, Starbase on May 17 with all systems go and no technical or regulatory holds ahead of the NET May 19 launch at 5:30 PM CDT. Ship 39 carries the first-ever Starship docking port and propellant-transfer interface hardware required by NASA for Artemis III HLS qualification. The Artemis III preliminary mission profile (published May 14) confirms an Earth-orbit rendezvous at ~460 km LEO with both the Starship HLS pathfinder and Blue Moon Mk2 to test AxEMU suits and lander interfaces, targeting late 2027. Artemis II crew is at JSC on Day 37 post-splashdown; claims updated to reflect the confirmed Artemis III 460 km mission profile.Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-16/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-16/SpaceX's IFT-12 (Starship V3 debut — Booster 19 + Ship 39) completed its full-stack Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) at Orbital Launch Pad 2, Starbase on May 16, clearing the vehicle for final pre-launch countdown operations with NET May 19 at 5:30 PM CDT confirmed. The WDR marks T-3 days to the first flight of Raptor 3 engines and Starship's new docking port and propellant-transfer hardware — a critical NASA-required precursor for Artemis III HLS qualification. All four Artemis II crew members returned to Johnson Space Center in Houston on May 16 following the completion of their three-city Canada tour (Ottawa May 13, CSA HQ Saint-Hubert May 14, Montreal May 15). Day 36 post-splashdown: Orion heat shield visual inspection continues at KSC's MPPF; formal Marshall X-ray scans remain on track for summer 2026. KPIs, claims, and meta updated.Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-15/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-15/The Artemis II crew completed their three-city Canadian tour on May 15 with a ticketed public talk at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts in Montreal — organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The event concluded the crew's Canadian itinerary (Ottawa May 13, CSA HQ Saint-Hubert May 14, Montreal May 15), celebrating Canadian Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen's historic lunar trajectory milestone. Day 35 post-splashdown: Orion heat shield visual inspection continues at KSC's Multi-Payload Processing Facility; Marshall X-ray scans remain on track for summer 2026. SpaceX IFT-12 (Starship V3 — Booster 19 + Ship 39) maintains its NET May 19 window with no new slips. KPIs, meta, claims, and political updated.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-14/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-14/Day 2 of the Artemis II crew's Canada tour brought all four crew members to Canadian Space Agency headquarters in Saint-Hubert, QC for a bilingual public virtual event (11:30 AM–12:30 PM ET, May 14) — broadcast live on CSA YouTube and Facebook. The tour continues with a Montreal leg at Place des Arts on May 15. SpaceX IFT-12 (Starship V3 debut, NET May 19) maintained its schedule with no new slips. At KSC, Artemis III hardware is advancing — the SLS core stage is stacking in VAB High Bay 2 and the Orion ESM has completed acoustic testing — while the Artemis II Orion heat shield continues visual inspection at the Multi-Payload Processing Facility (Day 34 post-splashdown). The CSA Headquarters map point was added and the claims log updated to reflect the ongoing post-mission inspection status.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-13/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-13/All four Artemis II crew members traveled to Ottawa on May 13 for a full day of Canadian Space Agency events: a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, a visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature with students, and a sold-out 'Meet the Crew' event at the National Arts Centre — the crew's first trip to Canada since the April 1–10 lunar flyby. The House Appropriations full committee marked up the FY2027 CJS bill at $24.438 billion for NASA (flat with FY2026), decisively rejecting the White House's proposed 23% cut; the Exploration account received $8.926B. The crew had visited Capitol Hill senators on May 12, one day before the markup. SpaceX retargeted IFT-12 (Starship V3 debut) to NET May 19 after not using the May 12 window; the V3 maiden flight will validate docking port and propellant-transfer hardware critical for Artemis III HLS qualification.Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-12/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-12/IFT-12 May 12 Window Not Used — SpaceX Retargets Starship V3 Debut to NET May 19. Artemis II Crew Visits Capitol Hill — Meets U.S. Senators on First Post-Splashdown Congressional Visit.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-11/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-11/Blue Origin's full-scale Blue Moon Mark 2 engineering mockup is now operational at NASA Johnson Space Center's Space Vehicle Mockup Facility — enabling Artemis IV crew training in ingress/egress procedures, suit-to-lander interface drills, and emergency scenarios ahead of the 2028 crewed lunar landing. This is the first HLS Option B (Blue Origin, $3.4B contract) crew-training milestone. SpaceX IFT-12 (Starship V3) launch window opens tomorrow May 12 at 22:30 UTC, with the Booster 19 + Ship 39 stack cleared and pre-launch operations underway at Starbase. Day 31 post-splashdown: Orion heat shield visual inspection continues at KSC's Multi-Payload Processing Facility; formal Marshall X-ray scans remain on track for summer 2026.Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-10/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-10/With the Starship Flight 12 (IFT-12) launch window opening 48 hours away on May 12 at 22:30 UTC (17:30 CDT), SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas entered standard pre-launch operations mode on May 10.Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-09/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-09/SpaceX's Booster 19 (Super Heavy V3) successfully completed a full-duration 33-engine static fire on May 7, 2026 — clearing Starship Flight 12 (IFT-12) for a May 12 opening window (22:30 UTC) extending through May 18. The successful fire follows an earlier abort caused by a ramp manifold sensor anomaly, with all 33 Raptor engines previously replaced after an April 15 partial-damage fire. IFT-12 is the first flight of the clean-sheet Starship V3 architecture and will validate docking port and propellant-transfer hardware critical for Artemis III HLS qualification. KPIs and claims updated to reflect the confirmed launch window.Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-08/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-08/Paraguay became the 67th Artemis Accords signatory on May 7 at a ceremony in Asunción — the fourth new nation in nine days (Morocco April 29, Malta and Ireland May 4, Paraguay May 7), extending the U.S.-led coalition over the rival ILRS framework. Indonesia is publicly weighing a potential signature as the 68th nation. SpaceX's IFT-12 (Starship Flight 12) slipped from the original May 12 opening window to NET May 15 following a Booster 19 static fire abort caused by a ramp manifold sensor anomaly; a follow-up static fire is needed before the FAA-approved launch can proceed. Artemis Accords KPI updated to 67 nations; claims updated to reflect IFT-12 schedule slip and expanded Accords coalition.Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-07/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-07/Artemis 2 lunar launch drew nearly 350,000 spectators to Florida's Space Coast, setting a record for NASA mission viewershipThu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbreakinghttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-06/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-06/Artemis Accords surpassed 66 nations this week: Ireland became the 66th signatory (24th ESA member state) on May 4, following Malta's accession as the 65th signatory in early May — three new nations joined in under two weeks driven by post-Artemis II international momentum. NASA released 12,000+ high-resolution Artemis II mission images on May 5, the largest deep space human mission imagery archive ever published. SpaceX's IFT-12 (Starship Flight 12) stands 6 days from its May 12 launch window, with Ship 39 (Starship V3) and Booster 19 stacked at Starbase Pad 2; IFT-12 will test docking port and propellant-transfer hardware critical for Artemis III HLS qualification. Bipartisan Congressional opposition to the proposed 23% FY2027 NASA budget cut intensified through the House Science Committee hearing in early May. KPIs, political, claims, and meta updated.Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-05/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-05/NASA Releases 12,000+ Artemis II Lunar Mission Photos — Largest Deep Space Imagery Archive Ever Published. Malta Signs Artemis Accords as 65th Signatory — Ceremony in Kalkara.Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-04/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-04/NASA takes a major next step toward future Moon missions following the success of the Artemis II crewed lunar flybyMon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbreakinghttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-03/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-03/SpaceX confirmed Starship IFT-12 (Flight 12) is targeting May 12, 2026, from Starbase Pad 2 with a revised trajectory — Ship 39 (Starship V3) will splash down in the Indian Ocean while Booster 19 attempts a Mechazilla tower catch; IFT-12 will test docking port and propellant-transfer hardware as a prerequisite for Artemis III HLS qualification. At Kennedy Space Center on day 33 post-Artemis II splashdown, Artemis III SLS core stage integration preparations advanced in the VAB while Orion de-servicing at the MPPF progressed with avionics extraction complete and propellant offload finalized; formal heat shield X-ray scans remain scheduled for Marshall Space Flight Center in summer 2026. The Artemis II crew (Wiseman, Glover, Koch, Hansen) continued week-five physiological reconditioning at JSC with cardiovascular and musculoskeletal metrics largely normalized. KPIs and claims updated to reflect IFT-12 confirmed May 12 launch target.Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-02/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-02/SpaceX Confirms Starship IFT-12 Targeting May 12 — Revised Trajectory with Indian Ocean Splashdown for Ship 39.Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-01/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-05-01/President Trump hosts the Artemis II crew at the White House following their historic Moon flyby milestone — first presidential reception for a lunar crew since Apollo era.Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTbreakinghttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-30/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-30/Morocco became the 64th Artemis Accords signatory on April 29, with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita signing in Rabat alongside U.S. Deputy Secretary Landau — the fifth African nation to join and a milestone timed to the 250th anniversary of U.S.-Moroccan diplomatic relations. The Artemis Accords KPI was updated to 64 Nations. On April 30 — day 30 post-splashdown — Commander Wiseman, Pilot Glover, and Mission Specialists Koch and Hansen made their first late-night television appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, recounting the historic 10-day lunar flyby to an estimated 4–5 million viewers. NASA clarified that formal Orion heat shield X-ray scans and Avcoat sample extractions will take place at Marshall Space Flight Center during summer 2026 (not May 10 as previously projected). Starship V3 (Flight 12) received FAA flight-safety approval in late April 2026, with launch from Starbase Pad 2 now targeting May 2026. Events, KPIs, claims, and meta updated.Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-29/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-29/Two major hardware milestones unfolded at Kennedy Space Center on April 28: the Artemis III SLS core stage entered the VAB (transferred from the Pegasus barge, 212-foot segment moved to the transfer aisle for High Bay 2 integration), and the Artemis II Orion capsule arrived at the MPPF to begin de-servicing — avionics extraction, payload removal, and propellant offloading. The Senate CJS Appropriations Subcommittee (Chair Moran R-KS + Ranking Member Van Hollen D-MD) held its April 28 FY2027 hearing, offering bipartisan congratulations for Artemis II while jointly declaring the $18.8B request inadequate — the third major congressional hearing in eight days to oppose the proposed 23% NASA cut. Isaacman announced the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope may launch in August (ahead of September) and committed NASA to the Space Reactor-1 Freedom nuclear fission Mars mission in 2028. On April 29, VAB stacking preparations and Orion de-servicing continued. KPIs, political, claims, and meta updated.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-28/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-28/April 28 marked a historic dual milestone at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Senate CJS Appropriations Hearing: Bipartisan Congratulations for Artemis II; Both Parties Reject $18.8B NASA Budget as Inadequate.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-27/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-27/NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman testified before the House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Subcommittee at 3:30 PM ET — the committee controlling the actual FY2027 funding bill — defending the $18.8B request (23% overall cut, 47% Science Mission Directorate reduction) citing Artemis II's April 1–10 crewed lunar flyby. A Senate CJS Appropriations hearing is scheduled for April 28. At KSC, the formal 30-day Orion heat shield inspection advances through week three with Marshall X-ray scans and sample extractions underway; results expected ~May 10 will define the Artemis IV 2028 crewed lunar landing timeline. KPIs updated to reflect the Appropriations hearing milestones and day 27 post-splashdown crew status.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-26/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-26/SpaceX confirmed Starship V3 (Flight 12) cleared all full-stack static fire milestones by April 15 and shifted its orbital demo window from late April to May 2026, awaiting FAA launch license approval at Starbase Pad 2 — a critical step in NASA's Artemis III HLS qualification path. At KSC's Multi-Payload Processing Facility, the formal 30-day Orion heat shield inspection entered week three with Marshall X-ray scans and sample extractions underway; results expected ~May 10 will define the Artemis IV 2028 crewed lunar landing timeline. The Artemis II crew continues physiological reconditioning at JSC, now 17 days post-splashdown. KPIs, claims, and political sections updated to reflect the latest Starship Flight 12 status and Isaacman's post-hearing strategic posture.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-25/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-25/NASA Administrator Isaacman crystallized the FY2027 budget strategy into three priorities: returning astronauts to the Moon by 2028 (Artemis IV), building a sustained lunar base to replace the cancelled Gateway, and expanding commercial LEO partnerships. In post-hearing media following the April 22 House Science Committee testimony, Isaacman defended the $18.8B request (23% cut, 47% science reduction) as a strategic pivot to near-impossible exploration goals rather than broad institutional science. Bipartisan congressional opposition led by Chair Babin (R-TX) continues. At KSC, the formal 30-day Orion heat shield inspection advances at the MPPF with sample extractions underway; results expected ~May 10 will define the Artemis IV 2028 crewed lunar landing timeline.Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-24/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-24/Hubble Space Telescope marked its 36th anniversary of launch on April 24, 1990, with its continued operation highlighted against the backdrop of the proposed 47% FY2027 NASA science budget cut. Following Administrator Isaacman's April 22 congressional testimony, the Planetary Society, AAS, and House Science Committee Chair Babin (R-TX) all registered bipartisan opposition to the $18.8B FY2027 budget proposal, which would cut NASA overall by 23% and the Science Mission Directorate by 47% while increasing Artemis exploration funding. At KSC, the formal 30-day Orion heat shield inspection continues at the MPPF with sample extraction underway; results expected ~May 10 will define the Artemis IV crewed lunar landing timeline.Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-23/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-23/Jordan signed the Artemis Accords as the 63rd signatory today at NASA Headquarters, following Latvia's accession as the 62nd signatory on April 20 — two new nations joining in three days, reflecting diplomatic momentum from Artemis II's successful crewed lunar flyby. Blue Origin's New Glenn was grounded by the FAA after its third launch on April 19 ended with an upper stage failure that stranded an AST SpaceMobile satellite in the wrong orbit — a setback for the Artemis V HLS provider. The Artemis Accords signatories KPI was updated to 63 Nations.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-22/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-22/NASA's initial assessments (Apr 20) confirm Orion's Avcoat heat shield performed 'significantly better' than Artemis I during the skip-reentry — validating the modified trajectory and setting up a positive outlook for the formal 30-day inspection now in week two at KSC's MPPF. SpaceX Starship V3 (Flight 12) cleared all full-stack static fires on April 15 and is targeting a late-April/early-May orbital demo from Starbase Pad 2, advancing the HLS qualification path for Artemis III. Post-mission reflection coverage by The Poly Post and CCSU highlighted 27 million viewers nationwide and the mission's historic firsts. Events, timeline, claims, KPIs, and meta updated.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-21/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-21/Nearly two weeks after splashdown, educational institutions and media continued to document the historic significance of Artemis II.Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdailyhttps://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-20/https://watchboard.dev/artemis-2/#digest-2026-04-20/Artemis III campaign advanced on two fronts this week. On April 20, NASA rolled out the 'top four-fifths' of the Artemis III SLS core stage at Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans — a key manufacturing milestone ahead of transport to Stennis Space Center for engine testing and eventual integration at KSC. On April 17, Mobile Launcher 1 completed its 4-mile rollback from LC-39B, arriving at the Vehicle Assembly Building at 11:40 a.m. EDT to begin inspection and repair for Artemis III stacking. Orion's 30-day heat shield inspection continues at KSC, with results expected to directly inform the Artemis IV 2028 crewed lunar landing timeline. Timeline and KPIs updated.Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTdaily