Rocket Report: Pentagon needs more missile interceptors; Artemis II clears review
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
NASA sets April 1 launch date for crewed lunar mission after years of delays.
AI Summary
NASA will launch Artemis II on April 1 at 6:24 pm EDT, skipping another fueling test on the Space Launch System rocket to check hydrogen loading line seals. Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket successfully returned to flight on March 11 from Vandenberg Space Force Base after a 10-month hiatus, completing its seventh mission and demonstrating upper stage restart capability. The rocket can carry more than a ton of payload to low-Earth orbit.
What's Being Done
NASA is skipping additional fueling tests to meet the launch schedule.
Source Coverage Map
2 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
1 sourceMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
National SecuritySpace Force wraps up preliminary design review for Epoch 2 MEO missile-warning sats
The milestone paves the way for prime contractor BAE Systems to move towards finalizing the design of the missile warning and tracking satellites. The post Space Force wraps up preliminary design review for Epoch 2 MEO missile-warning sats appeared first on DefenseScoop .
National SecurityNot just Patriot interceptors: A defense expert explains the various weapons US and allies use to defend against missiles and drones
Concerns about shortages of interceptor missiles in the conflict between the US and Iran highlight the challenges of defending against missiles and drones.
TechnologyNASA eyes April 1 launch of Artemis II
NASA says it is rolling the Artemis II rocket back out to its launch pad one week from Thursday in the hopes of an April 1 launch date. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has more.
National SecurityVideo Shows US Tomahawk Missile Strike Next to Girls’ School in Iran
New video footage shows a US Tomahawk missile hitting an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility in Minab, Iran, on Feb 28, showing for the first time that the US struck the area. The footage released by Mehr News, and geolocated by Bellingcat, also shows smoke already rising from the vicinity of the girls’ school, […] The post Video Shows US Tomahawk Missile Strike Next to Girls’ School in Iran appeared first on bellingcat .
National SecurityUS embassy in Iraq's Baghdad hit in missiles attack, security sources say - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxQd3Y1ZTlCOVVCMzJSTFRacnZiR2k5b0JINngxekRsWl9seFgybjMyX2RKYU5uZTUxcXFkUnlVTkhubWVZUXhPdUIxQUJCYzhaTDdYYW4wWkdEZTVSUDZhZkZOb05vUDRReWJvYUlySHM5TkFfZjFXN3ZkamQySWZtR1RSRDdRZWh1a1oxWGdWLWZSc2ZtUndfM0I0a1dOcFhXMEVwOFR4UEgzWFNiMVN2MENxaEx4SEZubmo4?oc=5" target="_blank">US embassy in Iraq's Baghdad hit in missiles attack, security sources say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
National SecurityPentagon briefs lawmakers on cost of war on Iran – but true price tag remains unknown
<p>The US already spent more than $11.3bn in first six days of conflict, but price tag does not include all spending</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&utm_campaign=BN22326&utm_content=signup&utm_term=standfirst&utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-military">Pentagon</a> officials told top lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Tuesday that the cost of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">war against Iran</a> has already exceeded $11.3bn in its first six days, but the true cost of the opening days of the conflict is likely far greater, according to two people familiar with the matter.</p><p>This figure, first reported by <a href="https://www.nytimes.com...

Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts. The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Whitmer's office calls for probe into why weather service didn't issue tornado watch - The Detroit News

Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions

Rubio designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’

Senate Democrat calls for investigation into Texas drone incidents

WADA to weigh barring Trump, US officials from LA Olympics and possibly World Cup over unpaid dues - AP News



