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The Atlantic • Ross Andersen

On the Ground at the Launch That Restarted America’s Return to the Moon

A reporter on site at the Trump administration’s pivotal launch that restarted America’s return to the Moon, documenting the technical milestones, contractor activity and launch‑pad operations that signalled renewed momentum for U.S. crewed lunar missions and the industrial base supporting them.

2026-04-01T16:58:57.216846-07:00

New York Times

Artemis II launch validates traditional contractors as commercial rivals encroach

2026-04-01T12:41:18.008344-07:00

Reuters

Argentina microsatellite to fly on Artemis II to test deep‑space navigation and radiation

2026-04-01T13:11:32.731860-07:00

The War Zone

Rare NT-43A 737 Spotted Supporting Artemis II Launch Preparations Over Florida

2026-04-01T12:58:51.146532-07:00

News Timeline

Space.com

What makes the Artemis II launch different from other rocket launches? An explainer on the technical, operational and programmatic features that distinguish the Artemis II launch from routine orbital flights. The piece examines mission profile, vehicle architecture, human-rating procedures and the integrated ground and software systems that raise complexity and program stakes compared with standard launches.

2026-04-01T17:39:21.857227-07:00

What makes the Artemis II launch different from other rocket launches?

The Atlantic

On the Ground at the Launch That Restarted America’s Return to the Moon A reporter on site at the Trump administration’s pivotal launch that restarted America’s return to the Moon, documenting the technical milestones, contractor activity and launch‑pad operations that signalled renewed momentum for U.S. crewed lunar missions and the industrial base supporting them.

2026-04-01T16:58:57.216846-07:00

On the Ground at the Launch That Restarted America’s Return to the Moon

The War Zone

USAF RAT‑55 NT‑43A radar test‑bed 737 and WB‑57 rehearse in Artemis II launch airspace USAF's secretive RAT‑55 (NT‑43A) radar test‑bed 737 has entered a new operational phase after flying under a NASA callsign in airspace reserved for the Artemis II launch. The NT‑43A and a WB‑57 performed rehearsals in restricted launch corridors to support the upcoming mission.

2026-04-01T16:38:38.694217-07:00

USAF RAT‑55 NT‑43A radar test‑bed 737 and WB‑57 rehearse in Artemis II launch airspace

Reuters

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Argentina microsatellite to fly on Artemis II to test deep‑space navigation and radiation An Argentine-built microsatellite, the only Latin American payload chosen for NASA's return to the Moon, will fly on Artemis II to test experimental navigation systems and measure radiation far beyond Earth's orbit, providing in‑situ data during the mission's deep‑space transit.

2026-04-01T13:11:32.731860-07:00

Argentina microsatellite to fly on Artemis II to test deep‑space navigation and radiation

The War Zone

Rare NT-43A 737 Spotted Supporting Artemis II Launch Preparations Over Florida The uniquely rare NT-43A Boeing 737 — seldom seen in public — was photographed flying over Florida during final preparations for NASA’s Artemis II. The sighting came as teams ready for the first crewed lunar mission in decades, highlighting visible support assets deployed ahead of launch.

2026-04-01T12:58:51.146532-07:00

Rare NT-43A 737 Spotted Supporting Artemis II Launch Preparations Over Florida

New York Times

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Artemis II launch validates traditional contractors as commercial rivals encroach NASA's Artemis II successfully launched the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo, validating SLS/Orion systems built by traditional contractors including Boeing and Lockheed. The mission — a deliberate, high‑risk test roughly a quarter‑million miles from Earth — arrives as SpaceX and Blue Origin press into deep‑space roles.

2026-04-01T12:41:18.008344-07:00

Artemis II launch validates traditional contractors as commercial rivals encroach

New York Times

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Christina Koch to Be the First Woman to Journey Around the Moon Christina Koch will become the first woman to journey around the Moon. Koch previously set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and participated in NASA's first all‑female spacewalk, credentials cited as she is named to the upcoming lunar circumlunar flight.

2026-04-01T11:19:57.414022-07:00

Christina Koch to Be the First Woman to Journey Around the Moon

New York Times

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Victor Glover to be first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon as Artemis II pilot Victor Glover, named pilot of NASA's Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, will become the first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon. A veteran since 2013 and the first Black astronaut on a long‑duration ISS expedition, Glover's assignment spotlights an often‑overlooked lineage of Black American explorers.

2026-04-01T11:00:50.892807-07:00

Victor Glover to be first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon as Artemis II pilot

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Space Exploration & Science Missions News

On the Ground at the Launch That Restarted America’s Return to the Moon

Artemis II launch validates traditional contractors as commercial rivals encroach

Argentina microsatellite to fly on Artemis II to test deep‑space navigation and radiation

Rare NT-43A 737 Spotted Supporting Artemis II Launch Preparations Over Florida

News Timeline