A Nasa spacecraft that will carry four astronauts around the Moon in a historic mission next year is edging closer to lift-off.
Several milestones have been achieved in recent weeks on the Space Launch System rocket, designed to launch vehicles into deep space, including the installation of a critical part.
The Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter links two main parts of the rocket and helps protect important flight computers and electronics when it blasts off into the skies.
Engineers are preparing the rocket for Artemis II, a 10-day mission during which the four astronauts will orbit the Moon, on board the Orion spacecraft, after being launched from Florida early in 2026.
“The cone-shaped adapter connects the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, which will propel the Artemis II test flight around the Moon, to the SLS core stage,” Nasa said this week.
“During launch and ascent, the launch vehicle stage adapter provides structural support and protects avionics and electrical devices within the upper stage from extreme vibrations and acoustic conditions.
“Up next, teams will stack the interim cryogenic propulsion stage onto the launch vehicle stage adapter.”
Artemis II will mark the first time humans have travelled near the Moon since the last Apollo mission more than 50 years ago.
Three American and one Canadian astronauts were selected for the mission. Reid Wiseman will serve as commander, Victor Glover will pilot the mission, while Christina Koch and Canada's Jeremy Hansen will serve as mission specialists.
The flight will build on the success of Artemis I, an uncrewed mission in 2022 that tested the same rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
It lasted 25 days and showed that the rocket and capsule could safely travel to the Moon and back.
But the Artemis programme has faced criticism in recent years, especially because of its high costs. Each SLS rocket launch reportedly costs $2 billion, and the entire programme is behind schedule.
During Jared Isaacman’s senate nomination hearing for the role of Nasa administrator, he said he supported continuing with the Artemis programme and using the SLS rocket to send astronauts to the Moon in the near future.
“I don’t think [the SLS] is the long-term way to get to and from the Moon and to Mars with great frequency, but this is the plan we have now,” he said.
The US wants American astronauts on the lunar surface before the end of this decade, as it faces growing competition from China, which is aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030 and build a lunar base soon after.
There is also a greater focus on Mars by the new Trump administration, aligning with billionaire Elon Musk long-standing campaign to send humans to the Red Planet.
Nasa's Artemis III mission, which will land astronauts on the Moon, is currently scheduled for 2027.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
THREE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
3/5 stars
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres
Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Younis Kalbani (trainer)
5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Octave, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Harrab, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Ali
6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m
Winner: BF Mughader, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF La’Asae, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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