Keith’s note: An interesting ‘Notice of new information collection’ from NASA appeared in the Federal Register this morning about the “NASA Front Door”. It is not totally clear as to when or how this will be implemented – i.e. atop NASA.gov, a new part thereof, or something else. A “NASA Strategic Plan” is mentioned – but which one are they talking about? NASA has not actually had a current ‘strategic plan’ for a while and they are usually not a ‘plan’ or ‘strategic’ when a document with that name is posted online. Also unclear is whether PAO/OCOMM will do this or some other TBD organization. It certainly sounds interesting – but NASA has a really spotty track record when it comes to understanding the audiences it should be serving outside of its front door and how to serve them. Just sayin’ Summary below.

Keith’s note: In case you have not already noticed NASA and space exploration have a deep branding and meme penetration. These two ads just ran (again) back to back midday on CNN. NASA will get exposure for ~12 days for Artemis II – then nothing – since NASA doesn’t know how to do follow-up. “Project Hail Mary” sugar high tie-ins are great – but what do you do when everyone has seen it?

• Credit One Ad https://www.instagram.com/reels/DV9fXmmDdy0/
• Old Spice Ad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xywz26wIRLs

Keith’s note: the following is circulating on space social media platforms: 🚨 HELIOPHYSICS ALERT 🚨 Steel yourselves, #heliophysics friends. I need to share some deeply concerning news about the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). NASA has laid out a budget trajectory for the mission that should alarm everyone in the heliophysics community. We already are experiencing an 18% retroactive cut for FY26. But now we’re being asked to plan for more in our upcoming Senior Review: Full post below

Keith’s note: As best I can collate the facts, on 18 March 1945, 81 years ago today, a V-2 missile was launched from Statenkwartier in The Hague in occupied Netherlands at 9:25 am by Germany’s Battery 485. My father was almost killed when it struck London a few minutes later. My 50 year career was enabled by that V-2. A direct descendant, a Saturn V, designed by the same V-2 team, placed Americans on the Moon. Now, in 2026, we are about to go back to the Moon on the stepchild of a Saturn V while V-2 inspired variants are still being fired by North Korea and Iran. The more things change … Full posting from 2025

Keith’s Note: According to GovExec: “While NASA has yet to formally terminate its contract with IFPTE, it has begun unilaterally changing employees’ personnel files to label their positions as ineligible for collective bargaining. NASA announced it would take these steps last September but seemingly did not begin implementing them until last month. The moves come just weeks after OPM updated its guidance governing implementation of the two union executive orders”. More.

Keith’s note: According to a statement “[University Corporation for Atmospheric Research] UCAR today filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF); the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the United States Department of Commerce (DOC); the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and their respective directors in their official capacity.”

Keith’s note: Dale Andersen is back from the first of two Astrobiology expeditions to Lake Untersee, Antarctica in 2026. This excerpt and photo captures the awesome beauty that accompanies forays into potentially dangerous locations as we advance science via exploration. A preview of coming attractions on Artemis II. “Just beneath Untersee’s ice, my tether runs ahead toward the distant glimmer of the dive hole, the only passage back from the blue and solitary world below. As I swim, I hear the measured rhythm of my own breathing and, now and then, the voices of colleagues on the surface carried through a thin, yellow line into the earpieces of my Kirby Morgan Exo-26 full-face mask. They ask for an update, reminding me to check my air pressure. A glance at my air-integrated dive computer, a few quick words in reply, and all is well. Soon, after a brief three-minute safety stop beneath the dive hole, I will return to the surface through the three and half meters (about twelve feet) of ice.” Full Report

Keith’s note: NASA currently has two droids at work on Mars: Perseverance and its Older sibling Curiosity. Their common task is to perform astrobiology and astrogeology exploration activities on Mars. Both rovers are the size of a small car and, while they are ultimately controlled by humans back on Earth, they have become increasingly smarter – and independent – over the years thanks to new programming and some AI. As we continue to explore Mars and other worlds and return to the Moon, a new generation of scientists and engineers will be needed at NASA and the world’s other space agencies. If you are a fan of space – then you may have seen ads for a Mars Rover kit on social media – the NASA Mars Perseverance Rover by CircuitMess. But this is not just a pretty toy to look at. It works and acts like a real Mars rover. This is a participatory kit. You build it and code it. More

Keith’s note: according to a telecom today all teams polled said GO for Artemis II. They are aiming for a rollout to the launch pad next week on 19 March. A launch attempt is planned as early as 1 April at 6:24 pm EDT . Another opportunity is in place on 2 April and would be at 7:22 pm. There are 4 launch opportunities within the 6 day period in early April. Notes from the media briefing below:

“NASA’s acquisition approach for the lunar landers has been effective in controlling contract costs, with the SpaceX and Blue Origin contracts having only increased by 6 percent and less than 1 percent, respectively. This was due in part to NASA negotiating mutually beneficial contract changes at no cost to the government. However, both SpaceX and Blue Origin have experienced schedule delays and face technical and integration challenges that have the potential to further impact lander costs and delivery schedules. In particular, SpaceX’s lander will not be ready for a June 2027 lunar landing. To accelerate lander development to meet a 2028 lunar landing date, NASA is assessing proposals from both SpaceX and Blue Origin, but it is too early to determine the technical feasibility, financial implications, and schedule impacts of these proposals.” — “While NASA is taking steps to prevent catastrophic events from occurring, ultimately, should the astronauts encounter a life-threatening emergency in space or on the lunar surface, NASA does not have the capability to rescue the stranded crew“. Full report

Keith’s note: As humanity expands outward we need to make sure it is all of humanity. Moreover, we may find that living in space may be a more enabling – and empowering – experience for some people than living on Earth. Eric Ingram has some thoughts: “I just published something I’ve been carrying quietly for a long time. It’s the full story of my experience with lunar gravity across two research flights, including the first time reduced gravity allowed me to stand unassisted, and what that moment taught me about access, human limits, and the future. This is the first time I’ve told the story in full, and the first time I’m sharing the lunar gravity photos and videos from the second flight. If you’re curious, I’d love for you to read it.” Full story.

Keith’s note: The Houston Chronicle took a look at 2025 layoffs and the newly-announced NASA Force. “Accepting the buyout was a difficult decision for many NASA employees. Keith Cowing, a watchdog who previously worked at NASA and has edited NASAWatch.com since 1996, said employees would call him at 2 a.m. in tears. He said many people who took the buyout don’t want to return to NASA — they say they’re happy to be gone, they were going to retire soon anyway, they found private-sector work — but others have asked for more clarity surrounding NASA Force. Some early and mid-career employees took the buyout because they were afraid of being laid off. “The irony of letting a whole bunch of qualified people go and then saying, ‘Oh, we need people, new people, to hire back,’ it’s not lost on me,” Cowing said. “However, I think they seem to be going about this in a structured way.” More

Keith’s note: Space Twitter has a lot of noise. Mostly noise. Lots of snark. Some times an obvious question emerges. This was directed at Jared Isaacman:“What launch cadence do you have the budget to support? Once every 2.5 years? How about a little transparency? We all support what you want to achieve, yet we’re leery of the implementation”. Full conversation. — Unlike the usual NASA PAO response mechanism which takes hours or days, required meetings, approval cycles, and talking point insertion, this new guy just puts out commentary and direction – in near real time – in the actual fora where people converse – and many times in response to people who make clear points from an account with only a few followers. Small questions can yield important answers. Refreshing. See Isaacman’s response below.

Keith’s note: this procurement notice appeared today. Looks like Jared Isaacman is not wasting any time in his rebooting of the Artemis architecture: “NASA/MSFC has a requirement for next-generation upper stages for use in Space Launch System (SLS) Artemis IV and Artemis V. NASA/MSFC intends to issue a sole source contract to acquire next-generation upper stages for use in Space Launch System (SLS) Artemis IV and Artemis V from United Launch Alliance (ULA) in accordance with FAR 6.103-1(c), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements due to the highly specialized nature of this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis is solely within the discretion of the Government.”

Keith’s note: The Senate CS&T Committee held the confirmation hearing for Matthew Anderson to be Deputy Administrator of NASA. He sailed through with the usual questions from both sides of the aisle. As to when the full Senate will vote on his nomination – stay tuned. Probably soon. Update: according to Marcia Smith: “Following today’s nomination hearing for Matt Anderson to be NASA Deputy Admin, the Senate Commerce Cmte will vote on his nomination (and several others) next Thursday, Mar 12, at approx 11:30 am ET. It’s in the Capitol (S-216) so likely not livestreamed”. Opening statement below:

Keith’s note: Jared Isaacman spoke at the a16z event about the lack of core competencies and extensive outsourcing at NASA is “why we’re $100 billion deep into [Artemis]”and how OPM is working with NASA and the new NASA Force effort to reverse that. Of course NASA just lost a lot of its workforce – so this is an effort to bring back some of what may have been lost as well as attracting new skills to the agency. Comments and video below:

Keith’s note: A lawsuit was filed on 19 February in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia concerning the closure of the NASA Goddard library and the disposition of records and research materials housed there. The plaintiffs, including the Goddard Engineers, Scientists and Technicians Association (GESTA), filed the case to seek judicial review of NASA’s decision to close the library and disperse or dispose of portions of its collections. The complaint alleges that the agency’s actions violate federal records preservation requirements and were undertaken without the transparency and review required under federal law. Full complaint below.

Keith’s note: According to a tweet by @NASAAdmin: “Today, we’re launching NASA Force with @USOPM Returning to the Moon requires restoring core competencies in our civil servant workforce. This program will recruit top aerospace, software, systems, and other critical technical talent for approximately 2-year terms at NASA. This will strengthen in-house engineering excellence, close skill gaps, and deepen partnerships with industry. We’re investing in our people to deepen America’s leadership in space.”

Keith’s note: I was just on Deutsche Welle TV talking about today’s Artemis programmatic change s- and the impacts that may or may not have on Europe and other internationals pace efforts. [Audio] [video] – Youtube below.

Keith’s note: In an update today NASA Administrator Isaacman announced that Artemis III will not land on the Moon but will be a test mission in Earth orbit for docking with lander vehicles. The push is for moving to two lunar landing attempts in 2028 and will focus on achieving a launch cadence of 1 year or less. NASA will adopt a more or less identical SLS as a standard at the Block 1 configuration. Workforce additions will be needed to adjust NASA’s skill mix. No mention of what happens to Gateway. NASA press release.