Can NASA fly Artemis II in February? When will the SLS replacements replace SLS?

Video Description

This week, NASA provided an update on Artemis II launch preparations, but it's not clear if they are still targeting the early February launch period. We got updates from Axiom Space on development of their lunar surface spacesuits, Glenn Research Center on the final Gateway solar electric propulsion thruster, and Blue Origin on stacking of their first Mark 1 cargo lunar lander. After the recent New Glenn launch, Blue Origin also announced upgrades to their rocket that will bring it into the super heavy-lift class of launchers like SpaceX Starship and the government's SLS, but time is running out for all of them to support an Artemis lunar landing mission in this decade. Imagery is courtesy of NASA, except where noted. Latest Artemis II crew update: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRVaQkZEsqC/ Scott Manley's video on testing the strakes added to SLS for Artemis II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDWQHZ4Fy6I L3Harris RS-25 engine production plant tour video: https://youtu.be/fBilYfXaVT0 Lanteris Space Systems interview about Gateway PPE status: https://youtu.be/bBR3TkZQTuc Links to social media posts: https://x.com/audrey_decker9/status/1989352112728510935 https://bsky.app/profile/spacepolicyonline.bsky.social/post/3lqv4bkz44u2a https://x.com/SenTedCruz/status/1909384195774070929 https://x.com/SenTedCruz/status/1990916666905993351 https://x.com/NASAStennis/status/1991878324923077077 https://x.com/Axiom_Space/status/1991485585643516333 https://x.com/blueorigin/status/1991537424594350386 https://x.com/starshipgazer/status/1991845404212666603 https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1991889258701885702 https://x.com/JeffBezos/status/1991987664766328990 https://x.com/tobyliiiiiiiiii/status/1991989480069505225 Links to stories referenced: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/10/science/nasa-jared-isaacman-project-athena Join the channel for additional members-only content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh9esSNWQq1-IGVoOOUGx8Q/join Or, consider buying me a coffee to support my work and the channel. https://buymeacoffee.com/philipsloss 00:00 Intro 01:45 Artemis II Watch: post-shutdown update, but schedule uncertainty 09:14 Artemis III Watch: Starship HLS schedule leaks, Booster 18 destroyed, Axiom EMU update 17:09 Other news and notes: NASA Stennis releases RS-25 engine acceptance test video 25:33 Gateway PPE update: final solar electric propulsion engine testing complete, ready to ship 27:37 Senate schedules second confirmation hearing for Jared Isaacman 30:00 Blue Origin announces New Glenn upgrades and updates Mark 1 cargo lunar lander status 31:49 Thanks for watching!