NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center

09/03/2026

Artemis II crew brings Moon Joy to NASA Stennis! 🚀

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen visited us on Thursday, Sept. 3, to celebrate the historic NASA Artemis II test flight around the Moon.

As the first astronauts to fly aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft, the crew traveled farther in space than humans have ever before.

During their visit to Stennis, they stopped at the Fred Haise Test Stand, where rigorous RS-25 engine testing ensures our astronauts fly safely on NASA’s SLS rocket.

The crew thanked everyone for tackling hard challenges and reminded us during an employee event: “You put humans in space.”

Today provided a great reminder for all: Whether you work at America’s largest rocket propulsion test site or look up at the Moon from your backyard, you are a part of America’s return to the Moon.

And the Artemis II mission is just the beginning!

Next comes Artemis III with a mission intended to demonstrate integrated operations between the Orion spacecraft and test versions of commercial human landing systems before Artemis IV returns astronauts to the lunar surface.

09/02/2026

Celebrating 65 Years: The 1960s

On October 25, 2026, we hit a major milestone – 65 years since NASA announced it would build a rocket propulsion test site in Hancock County, Mississippi.

History is still being written today as NASA progresses forward with the Artemis program to return American astronauts to the Moon and build a Moon Base to support an enduring human presence on the lunar surface.

This look back at the 1960s features:

➡ President John F. Kennedy setting the national goal of sending humans to the Moon and returning them safely
➡ Site construction to begin Mississippi’s largest construction project at the time
➡ Saturn V rocket stage testing that carried humans to the Moon during Apollo

Share these highlights as we celebrate 65 years of igniting America’s journey to space at NASA Stennis.

08/31/2026

On October 25, 2026, we hit a major milestone – 65 years since NASA announced it would build a rocket propulsion test site in Hancock County, Mississippi.

Now, as NASA works to return American astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis program, builds a Moon Base to establish an enduring presence on the lunar surface, and take the steps needed to ensure American leadership in space, we are looking back at how it all began right here.

Over the next few weeks, we are taking you through the decades and celebrating 65 years of igniting America’s journey to space.

Before the first highlight lands this week:

➡ Tell us your favorite memory, fun fact, or connection to NASA Stennis.

➡ Share this post with a friend as we make our way to the 65th anniversary.

Buckle up, we are just getting started.

08/31/2026

What a weekend for space exploration! 🚀

Here is your NASA weekend recap:

Friday, Aug. 28: The Artemis II crew received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor! Following their historic 10-day mission around the Moon last April, the Artemis II crew of NASA astronauts pilot Victor Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch, Canadian Space Agency astronaut mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronaut commander Reid Wiseman were presented with the award by President Donald J. Trump at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Sunday, Aug. 30: Liftoff for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope! A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket successfully launched NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is captured transiting the Sun during launch from Launch Complex 39A in Florida.

📸 Photo Credit: NASA/John Kraus

08/27/2026

Getting our cameras ready for Artemis III 🚀

A July test fire of a hydrogen burn-off ignitor at NASA Stennis is providing data for the agency to dial in the perfect camera settings for the Artemis III launch in 2027.

Artemis III is intended to demonstrate integrated operations between the Orion spacecraft and test versions of commercial human landing systems before Artemis IV returns astronauts to the lunar surface.

About 10 seconds before NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, hydrogen burn-off ignitors will safely burn off excess hydrogen gas.

Here’s the challenge:

This flare, which looks like a firework sparkler during launch, is incredibly bright.

Just like you might squint if looking toward the Sun, our high-speed launch cameras, recording at 400 frames per second, can react to intense light by closing its aperture too much.

Clear imagery is essential for post-launch analysis, real-time situational awareness during liftoff, and to verify hardware status in the event of a premature engine shutdown.

This test provides data so that cameras capture every detail without being overwhelmed by the flare.

Learn more about NASA Artemis: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/

08/26/2026

At 17, Jeret Howard raised his right hand to serve his country as a United States Army combat medic in Iraq. This past summer, he raised his right hand again at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Hired as a civil servant under the agency’s workforce directive to restore core competencies by converting contractors to civil service, Howard’s transition from long-time contractor to logistics management specialist represents a continuation of a life dedicated to national service.

Read more ⬇

At 17, Jeret Howard raised his right hand to serve his country as a United States Army combat medic in Iraq. This past summer, he raised his right hand again

08/12/2026

Congratulations to our Silver Snoopy Award honorees! 🎉

NASA astronaut Nicole Mann presented the Space Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy Award to eight employees at NASA Stennis on Aug. 11 for their exceptional contributions.

This prestigious award is given to less than 1% of the total NASA workforce and is presented by a member of the astronaut corps representing its core principles for outstanding flight safety and mission success.

The honorees were Alicia Bartee (NASA), James Cain (NASA), Stacey Goodloe (NASA), Felisha Jarrell (Cayuse Federal Services), Kenneth McCormack (Nova Space Solutions), Huy Nguyen (NASA), Jason Peterson (NASA), and Joseph Richard (L3Harris).

Thank you for your contributions to the mission at the nation’s largest propulsion test site, which supports both NASA’s return to the Moon through the Artemis program and a range of commercial aerospace companies.

08/11/2026

Stay up with NASA and experience the 2026 Perseids meteor shower, beginning at 11 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

All right, skywatchers - we've got something special in store for you ☄️

The Perseids is one of the best annual meteor showers and during the peak this year, we will be hosting a watch party!

Join us on YouTube at 11 p.m. CT on Aug. 12 to see real-time sky imagery from Marshall’s Automated Lunar and Meteor Observatory (ALaMO) and hear from meteor experts. Grab a blanket and some snacks and stay up late with us as we watch the 2026 Perseids meteor shower!

MORE INFO: https://go.nasa.gov/45GPJjr