NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center

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

08/07/2026

NASA and Blue Origin have agreed to conduct second stage hot fire testing for the company’s New Glenn rocket at NASA Stennis. Testing is targeted to begin this fall.

In an interview with WLOX, NASA Stennis Director Christine Powell highlights how our historic test stand will support the agency's Artemis missions and America's return to the Moon.

Watch the interview ⬇

A partnership between Blue Origin and NASA is bringing more of the space industry to South Mississippi.

07/31/2026

NASA Stennis and the NASA Shared Services Center were honored to host Xavier University of Louisiana President Dr. Reynold Verret and university staff on July 28.

During their visit to America’s largest multi-user propulsion test site – where we support propulsion testing for NASA Artemis missions and work alongside commercial companies such as Blue Origin, L3Harris Technologies, Relativity, and Rocket Lab – Dwight Deneal, associate administrator of the NASA Office of Small Business Programs, presented Dr. Verret, Anitra Calvin, and Dr. Tina Langlois (not pictured) with the Office of Small Business Programs coin.

The coin was given in appreciation for the university hosting a “Doing Business with NASA” Small Business Industry Day on June 4 in New Orleans

The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of collaborating with our educational institutions and small business partnerships to include the Louisiana Small Business Development Center.

NASA Stennis Director Christine Powell also provided insight on the Mississippi and Louisiana local communities economic impacts, which supports NASA Stennis.

Pictured: Front row, left to right: Anitra Calvin, Xavier University executive director and special assistant to the vice president of Student Affairs Offices of Student Affairs Operations, Residential Education and Conference Service; NASA Stennis Director Christine Powell; and Xavier University President Dr. Reynold Verret.

Back row, left to right: Ronald Carrere Jr., Xavier University chief of staff and vice president of Government and Community Relations; Christopher Canary, NASA Shared Services Center small business technical advisor; Troy Miller, NASA Shared Services Center and NASA Stennis small business specialist; Byron Williams, Xavier University alum and facilities operation manager at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans; NASA Stennis Associate Director Rodney McKellip; Ken Newton, director of the Service Delivery Directorate for NASA Shared Services Center; Anita Harrell, executive director of NASA Shared Services Center; and Nikki Tubbs, director of the Support Operations Directorate for NASA Shared Services Center.

07/30/2026

Happy National Intern Day from NASA’s Stennis Space Center! 🚀

Our interns each bring a unique story about what inspired them to Learn With NASA.

Here are some of them.

From childhood visits to rocket centers, to powerful engine tests at Stennis, to watching historic milestones like NASA launching Artemis missions (with engines tested at Stennis), these moments sparked a passion for exploration that continues to grow here during their internship.

If you want to join NASA’s mission as we return to the Moon through NASA Artemis and build a Moon Base as humanity’s first lunar outpost, spring internship applications are officially open!

The deadline to submit your application is September 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

You can explore FAQs and eligibility at intern.nasa.gov, and when you’re ready to apply, all opportunities are posted at stemgateway.nasa.gov.

Happy National Intern Day!

07/29/2026

Ray Williams’ progression at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has uniquely prepared him for his new role.

As part of NASA’s plan to restore core competencies by converting contractors to civil service, the New Orleans native and Grambling State University graduate now works as a supervisor for test operations support at the agency’s E-Complex.

Read more ⬇

Ray Williams’ progression at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, has uniquely prepared him for his new role.