This article is based on an official press release from Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman Confirms Solid Rocket Boosters Ready for Historic Artemis II Launch

Northrop Grumman has officially announced that its twin five-segment solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are fully integrated and ready to support the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission. According to the company’s statement released on January 27, 2026, the hardware is prepared for a liftoff targeted as early as February 6, 2026, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This mission represents a significant milestone in aerospace history, marking the first time humans will travel beyond the Moon’s orbit since the conclusion of the Apollo program in 1972. The boosters, which provide the majority of the thrust for the Space Launch System (SLS), are critical to propelling the four-person crew inside the Orion spacecraft toward deep space.

Powering the Space Space-Agencies Launch System

The technical specifications released by Northrop Grumman highlight the immense scale required to escape Earth’s gravity with a crewed payload. The twin boosters, standing 177 feet tall, are the largest solid rocket motors ever built for flight. Together, they generate 7.2 million pounds of thrust.

According to mission data, these boosters provide more than 75% of the total thrust at liftoff, with the SLS rocket’s total thrust reaching approximately 8.8 million pounds. The design is an evolution of the four-segment boosters used during the Space Shuttle era, the addition of a fifth segment allows the new motors to deliver 25% more total energy than their predecessors.

Jim Kalberer, Vice President of Propulsion Systems at Northrop Grumman, emphasized the role of manufacturing expertise in reaching this stage:

“We’ve leveraged our unparalleled manufacturing and solid rocket motor expertise to supply the SLS rocket with 7.2 million pounds of its 8.8 million pounds of total thrust at launch. The power and performance the Northrop Grumman-manufactured solid rocket boosters provide the SLS rocket is critical to America’s new age of exploration and building a sustainable human presence in deep space ahead of missions to Mars.”

Safety Systems and Mission Profile

In addition to the primary propulsion, Northrop Grumman confirmed its role in manufacturing safety-critical components for the Orion spacecraft’s Launch Abort System (LAS). The company produces both the abort motor and the attitude control motor. These systems are designed to pull the capsule and its crew safely away from the rocket in the event of an emergency on the launch pad or during ascent.

Crew and Timeline

The Artemis II mission is a crewed test flight designed to verify spacecraft systems, including life support, communication, and navigation, on a “free-return trajectory” around the Moon. The crew includes astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. Following the successful integration of the boosters, the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft were rolled out to Launch Complex 39B earlier in January, with final preparations now underway for the February launch window.

AirPro News Analysis

The readiness of the five-segment boosters signals a stabilization in the supply-chain for the Space Launch System. While the architecture relies heavily on heritage hardware from the Shuttle era, the successful integration for a crewed deep-space mission validates the engineering modifications required for the heavier lift capacity of the SLS. As NASA looks toward Artemis III and the construction of the Gateway station, the performance of these solid rocket motors will be the primary metric for assessing the sustainability of the agency’s long-term lunar infrastructure plans.

Sources

Sources: Northrop Grumman Press Release, NASA Artemis II Mission Data

This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

Airbus and Hisdesat Secure Commercial Future for High-Resolution PAZ 2 Radar Constellation

On January 28, 2026, Airbus Defence and Space and Hisdesat, the Spanish government satellite operator, formalized a major commercialization agreement regarding the PAZ 2 Earth observation program. Signed at the European Space Conference in Brussels, this deal cements a long-term partnerships designed to bring next-generation Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery to the global market.

According to the official announcement, the agreement grants Airbus the rights to co-commercialize data from the upcoming PAZ 2 constellation. This program represents a significant technological evolution from the original PAZ satellite, promising ultra-high-resolution capabilities that target elite defense, intelligence, and infrastructure monitoring sectors. The collaboration builds upon a relationship established in 2018, ensuring continuity for current users while preparing the market for a drastic increase in imaging fidelity.

The PAZ 2 program, which includes two satellites, is scheduled to begin service by mid-2031. While Hisdesat retains capacity for Spanish governmental use, Airbus will leverage its international sales network to distribute surplus capacity to military and commercial clients worldwide.

Technological Leap: 10 cm Resolution

The transition from the current PAZ satellite to the PAZ 2 constellation involves a substantial upgrade in technical specifications. The press release and technical data indicate that the new system will offer a resolution of up to 10 cm, a marked improvement over the previous 25 cm capability. This level of detail allows for the precise identification of smaller objects, vehicle types, and infrastructure damage, regardless of weather conditions or time of day.

In addition to resolution, the constellation approach doubles the revisit capacity compared to the single-satellite PAZ 1 mission. The new satellites are designed to cover approximately 6.7 million square kilometers per satellite daily, a more than 20-fold increase in area coverage compared to the legacy system. The system also boasts a swath width of up to 500 km and near real-time latency capabilities, reducing data delivery times to as little as five minutes for critical tactical operations.

“This partnership aims to push the boundaries of SAR-based Earth observation and provide innovative solutions to meet growing global demand for both military and commercial markets.”

, Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space

Strategic Context and Dual-Use Mission

The PAZ 2 program is a central pillar of Spain’s national space strategy, supported by a loan of approximately €1 billion from the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism. The system is designed for dual-use applications, serving both the Spanish Ministry of Defence and civilian sectors.

For defense purposes, the constellation will provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. On the civilian side, the data will support infrastructure monitoring, disaster management, and maritime surveillance. Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, emphasized the continuity of the alliance in the official release:

“The renewed alliance would ensure continuity of cooperation… while accelerating the adoption of SAR imagery, which can operate in all weather conditions and at any time of day.”

, Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat

AirPro News Analysis

We observe that this agreement arrives during a period of intense bifurcation in the Earth Observation market. While “New Space” companies like ICEYE and Capella Space have focused on launching large constellations of smaller, lower-cost satellites to maximize revisit rates, the PAZ 2 program represents a commitment to the “high-end” tier of the market.

By targeting 10 cm resolution and high geometric accuracy, Airbus and Hisdesat are positioning PAZ 2 to compete on quality and fidelity rather than just frequency. This strategy appeals to customers requiring “gold standard” data for precise targeting and detailed infrastructure analysis, capabilities that smaller, cheaper satellites often struggle to match consistently. Furthermore, the integration of PAZ 2 data into Airbus’s existing portfolio allows the European giant to offer a comprehensive package of optical (Pléiades Neo) and radar imagery, securing its standing against growing US and Asian competition.

Timeline and Manufacturing

The manufacturing contract for the PAZ 2 satellites was awarded to Airbus in July 2025. With the commercialization framework now signed in early 2026, the program is moving toward a projected service entry in 2031. The satellites will operate in a sun-synchronous orbit to maintain consistent lighting conditions, similar to the current PAZ and the German TerraSAR-X missions.

Sources

• Airbus

FAA Approves SpaceX Starship Operations at Kennedy Space Center

On January 30, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and signed the Record of Decision (ROD) regarding SpaceX’s proposal to operate the Starship-Super Heavy vehicle from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center. This regulatory milestone officially clears the way for SpaceX to construct massive new infrastructure and conduct high-frequency launch and landing operations from Florida’s Space Coast.

The decision authorizes SpaceX to conduct up to 44 launches and 88 landings annually. The approval is a critical step for NASA’s Artemis program, which relies on the Starship vehicle as the Human Landing System (HLS) for returning astronauts to the lunar surface. By establishing a redundant launch site outside of its Starbase facility in Texas, SpaceX aims to significantly increase the flight cadence required for deep space exploration.

Scope of Approved Operations

The Record of Decision outlines a significant expansion of capabilities at the historic LC-39A pad. According to the FAA documentation, the approved operational tempo includes:

• Launches: Up to 44 Starship-Super Heavy missions per year.
• Landings: Up to 88 landings annually, split between 44 Super Heavy boosters and 44 Starship upper stages.
• Static Fire Tests: Up to 88 engine tests per year.

To support these operations, SpaceX is authorized to construct approximately 800,000 square feet of new infrastructure. This includes a dedicated launch mount, a “catch tower” (often referred to as Mechazilla) designed to capture returning boosters mid-air, a methane liquefier, an air separation unit, and extensive commodity storage farms.

The documentation notes that landings may occur at the launch site or on droneships. Specifically, the Super Heavy booster is permitted to land at LC-39A or on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean, while the Starship upper stage has broader landing options, including the Atlantic, Pacific, or Indian Oceans.

Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

The EIS acknowledges that the introduction of the world’s largest rocket to the Space Coast will generate significant environmental and community impacts. The FAA has mandated specific mitigation measures to address these concerns.

Sonic Booms and Structural Risks

The sheer size and power of the Starship system mean that launch noise and sonic booms will be more intense than those produced by current vehicles like the Falcon 9. The EIS indicates that sonic booms generated during landing could create overpressures exceeding 4 pounds per square foot (psf) in nearby communities such as Titusville and Merritt Island.

According to the report, these pressures could cause minor structural damage, such as broken windows or plaster cracks, in rare instances. To mitigate this, the FAA requires SpaceX to implement a structural damage monitoring program for historic buildings and private residences. Furthermore, the company must maintain insurance to cover valid claims related to launch acoustics.

Public Access and Wildlife

Operations at LC-39A will necessitate closures of public lands to ensure safety. The EIS estimates that the Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) could face up to 60.5 full-day equivalent closures per year. These closures will affect popular areas like Playalinda Beach.

The FAA has stated that closures must be coordinated with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize disruptions during peak visitor seasons. Additionally, the report identifies potential risks to federally listed species, including the Florida scrub-jay, sea turtles, piping plover, and red knot. SpaceX is required to adhere to strict lighting management plans to prevent the disorientation of nesting sea turtles and must conduct ongoing biological monitoring.

Strategic Context for Artemis

This approval is strategically vital for the United States’ space exploration goals. The Starship system is the backbone of NASA’s plan to land humans on the Moon under the Artemis III and IV missions. While development has been centered in Boca Chica, Texas, establishing a Florida launch site provides necessary redundancy and access to the extensive logistics infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center.

AirPro News Analysis

The FAA’s decision to greenlight 44 annual launches of a super-heavy-lift vehicle marks a paradigm shift for the Space Coast. If SpaceX reaches this cadence, combined with existing commercial and government manifests, the region could see launch numbers exceeding 150 per year. While this cements Florida’s status as the world’s premier spaceport, it places immense pressure on local infrastructure and community tolerance regarding noise and beach access.

Furthermore, the requirement for SpaceX to carry insurance specifically for acoustic structural damage is a notable regulatory development. It suggests that regulators anticipate the physical reality of “catching” massive boosters near populated areas will carry tangible risks that standard operating procedures must now account for financially.

Sources

Sources: FAA Final EIS Volume I