The transfer of the SLS and Orion will take up to 12 hours as it will cover nearly 6.5 kilometers.

On January 5, the team replaced the hatch pressurization valve and successfully tested its operation.

Once the integrated rocket and spacecraft arrive at the launch pad, NASA will begin a checklist for launch preparations.

Technicians found that a cable related to the flight termination system was bent against specifications and will replace it.

NASA announced that Artemis II will be the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972.

After a successful fueling rehearsal, NASA will hold a flight readiness review to evaluate all systems before committing to a launch date.

In late January, NASA will conduct a fueling rehearsal to fill the SLS fuel tanks as a pre-launch test.

The second launch period extends from March 6 to 11, and the third from April 1 to 6.

NASA plans to transfer the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 17.

If necessary, NASA may return the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to the Vehicle Assembly Building for further work after the fueling rehearsal.

NASA has incorporated lessons learned from Artemis I into the countdown procedures for the launch.

Technical teams will power up all integrated systems on the launch platform to ensure compatibility among hardware components.

A planned three-minute pause will occur during the countdown, which will resume until 33 seconds before launch.

Additional fueling rehearsals may be required to ensure that the vehicle is fully inspected and ready for flight.

The countdown rehearsal will include a safe extraction demonstration of the fuel with no crew present at the site.

The first test will start about 49 hours before launch and run until 1 minute and 30 seconds before launch.

Engineers are addressing leaks in ground support hardware needed to load gaseous oxygen onto Orion to provide breathable air.

Engineers will closely monitor the loading of liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the rocket.

The transfer will be performed by the crawler transporter Oruga 2.

During the fueling rehearsal, technicians will demonstrate the capability to load over 700,000 gallons (2.6 million liters) of cryogenic fuel into the rocket.

A valve related to the pressurization of Orion's hatch malfunctioned, necessitating demonstration countdown testing on December 20.

The terminal countdown rehearsal will include multiple 'ignitions' to demonstrate the launch team's ability to stop, resume, and restart operations.

Human resource development programs will be tailored to industrial needs and include fellowships, co-creation studios, and mutual training.

Space Data will play a role in promoting social implementation and commercialization.

Research results will be deployed into demonstration projects in collaboration with government agencies and public sector partners.

Space Data, based in Minato, Tokyo, signed a tripartite MOU on January 13 with Al-Faisal University's Innovation Center and the Faculty of Design at Tokyo University of Technology.

The collaboration will promote joint research and demonstration experiments in the fields of space, AI, and digital twins.

The MOU aims to promote human resource development, joint research, and the social implementation of research results in space and advanced fields.

A 'Deep Tech & Space Innovation Lab' will be established at Al-Faisal University as part of this collaboration.

The RDIA (Saudi Arabia's Research, Development and Innovation Agency) support system will be utilized to accelerate implementation, standardization, and scaling.

Chris Callow's leadership has significantly impacted Sat-Lite's adoption of modern RF technologies.

Chris Callow was promoted to Vice President of Sales at Sat-Lite Technologies due to his extensive contributions to the company.

Sat-Lite Technologies maintains its manufacturing headquarters in White Oak, Texas to control the quality and precision of its products.

Sat-Lite Technologies was founded in 2006 and specializes in high-performance, configurable antenna products.

Sat-Lite Technologies announced a significant expansion of its executive leadership team on January 15, 2025.

Sat-Lite Technologies utilizes advanced 3D CAD software and finite element analysis to shorten design cycles.

Sat-Lite Technologies is focused on the sovereign-commercial nexus to support national defense initiatives in 2026.

Steve Richeson has over three decades of engineering and executive experience in the satellite industry.

Sat-Lite Technologies aims to enhance its sales and market growth organization to address the complexity of modern satellite missions.

Sat-Lite Technologies is based in Texas and serves a global customer base that includes major defense contractors and commercial satellite operators.

Sat-Lite Technologies integrates compact, efficient hardware into its mobile terminal portfolios under Chris Callow's guidance.

Sat-Lite Technologies appointed Steve Richeson as Vice President of Growth to lead business expansion through alliances with OEM partners and system integrators.

Mitsubishi Corporation aims to expand the utilization of the space station across various industries such as semiconductors and life sciences since its investment in Starlab in April 2024.

Mitsubishi Corporation's acquisition of usage rights is expected to contribute to the development of Japan's manned space activities promoted by JAXA.

Mitsubishi Corporation dispatched a director to participate in the management of Starlab.

Mitsubishi Corporation invested additional funds in Starlab Space, a candidate company for the commercial space station program, on January 13.

Mitsubishi Corporation acquired the usage rights for Starlab's commercial space station experimental section.

Mitsubishi Corporation plans to leverage its experience in creating new businesses and industry connections to provide opportunities for various industries to utilize commercial space stations.

GRUS-1E announced a suspension of commercial operations due to attitude control function issues in December 2024.

After recovery work, GRUS-1E became capable of obtaining image data in March 2025.