NASA just picked a new upper stage for its SLS moon rocket amid Artemis shakeup

NASA's Artemis Program Revamp and the Latest in Space Exploration

SUBTITLE: New rocket design, star collisions, and the search for extraterrestrial life

EXCERPT: NASA's Artemis program is undergoing significant changes, including a new upper stage for its SLS moon rocket, while astronomers discover extreme star collisions and ponder the challenges of detecting alien signals.

NASA's revised plans to send astronauts back to the moon are quickly taking shape. The agency has picked a new upper stage for its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, a crucial component of the Artemis program aimed at establishing a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. This development comes as astronomers make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of astrophysics, including the detection of extreme star collisions and the challenges of searching for extraterrestrial life.

What Happened

NASA's Artemis program has undergone significant changes, including a new vision for the mission, updated goals for Artemis 3 and beyond, and a shorter cadence between launches of the SLS rocket. The agency has also selected a new upper stage for the SLS rocket, which will play a critical role in the mission's success.

In other news, astronomers have discovered a collision between two ultradense stars in a tiny galaxy, a finding that may help solve two outstanding cosmic mysteries. The discovery was made using a fleet of NASA missions, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Why It Matters

The Artemis program is a crucial step towards establishing a human presence on the lunar surface, with implications for space exploration and scientific research. The discovery of extreme star collisions, on the other hand, provides valuable insights into the behavior of these cosmic phenomena and the potential for detecting extraterrestrial life.

What Experts Say

According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the revised Artemis program will "establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface" and "pave the way for further human exploration of the solar system." Astronomers, meanwhile, are hailing the discovery of extreme star collisions as a major breakthrough, with potential implications for our understanding of the universe.

Key Numbers

• 2026: The year NASA plans to send astronauts back to the moon
• 4,400: The number of light-years between Earth and the Cat's Eye Nebula, a planetary nebula studied by astronomers
• 2: The number of ultradense stars involved in the collision detected by NASA missions

Background

The Artemis program is a NASA mission aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. The program has undergone significant changes, including a new vision for the mission and updated goals for Artemis 3 and beyond.

What Comes Next

As NASA continues to work towards establishing a human presence on the lunar surface, astronomers will continue to study the universe, searching for answers to fundamental questions about the nature of space and time. The discovery of extreme star collisions and the challenges of detecting extraterrestrial life are just two examples of the many exciting developments in the field of astrophysics.

Key Facts

• Who: NASA, astronomers
• What: Artemis program revamp, discovery of extreme star collisions
• When: 2026, ongoing
• Where: Lunar surface, universe
• Impact: Establishment of human presence on lunar surface, advancement of scientific knowledge

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Aliens Might Have Their Radio Signals Blurred By Their Star's Solar Wind

The search for extraterrestrial life is an ongoing challenge, with scientists using a variety of methods to detect signals from other civilizations. However, a new study suggests that the solar wind from a star may blur or distort radio signals, making them difficult to detect.

> "The search for extraterrestrial life is a complex and challenging task, and this study highlights one of the many obstacles we face." — Dr. Vishal Gajjar, SETI Institute