Blue Origin targets end-of-year return and eyes Artemis IV selection
NASA has folded a Blue Moon Mk2 test article into its revised Artemis III profile, sending it to low Earth orbit for rendezvous and crew-ingress demos before Orion arrives. Blue Origin has repaired all nine modules of its LC-36A access tower after May's anomaly and is pouring foundations for a second pad, LC-36B, as it aims to return to flight by late 2026.
- Blue Moon Mk2 test article will launch on New Glenn to LEO ahead of Orion on Artemis III
- Crew will spend two days aboard the lander checking ECLSS, avionics and manual controls
- All nine LC-36A tower modules are repaired; return to flight targeted for late 2026
- LC-36B foundation work began with a 4,500-cubic-yard pour of 15,000 planned
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