ARCHIVED: NASA's Exploration Ground Systems@NASAGroundSys

We build, launch, and recover rockets and spacecraft for Artemis, humanity’s return to the Moon. 🚀🌕

 Kennedy Space Center, FL
nasa.gov/groundsystems
Joined December 2014
1,716 Photos and videos
This account is now inactive. For official updates, news, and resources about Exploration Ground Systems, follow us at @NASAKennedy and @NASAArtemis.
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POV: You’re a pararescuer jumping out of a C-17 🪂✈️ Watch this point-of-view footage from @NASAArtemis rescue demonstrations earlier this month, where teams rehearsed operations in the event of a pad abort or in-flight abort scenario. Part of this operation includes a C-17 aircraft carrying @usairforce pararescuers near a simulated splashdown location to retrieve the mannequin crew and transport them for medical care.
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Using mannequin crew and the @NASA_Orion mockup Crew Module Test Article (CMTA), Exploration Ground Systems and @DeptofDefense teams in the sky and sea rehearsed procedures to rescue the @NASAArtemis II crew during an abort from Launch Complex 39B or during ascent to space. Teams in a C-17 aircraft dropped inflatable boats and support gear, jet skis, and survival equipment to aid rescue forces below. Learn more here: go.nasa.gov/4jNdtXP
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Firing rooms 1 and 2 were bustling last week! Exploration Ground Systems teams completed cryogenic and term count simulations, along with gaseous oxygen loading onto @NASA_Orion. Teams also completed a two-part safety abort demonstration to practice recovery operations in the unlikely event of a pad or in-flight abort scenario. Learn more about the safety abort demonstration here: go.nasa.gov/4jNdtXP
A team member in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participates in pad abort scenario recovery training, June 11, 2025.

ALT A team member in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participates in pad abort scenario recovery training, June 11, 2025.

Team members in Firing Room 2 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participate in operations June 10, 2025.

ALT Team members in Firing Room 2 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participate in operations June 10, 2025.

Team members in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participate in pad abort scenario recovery training, June 11, 2025.

ALT Team members in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participate in pad abort scenario recovery training, June 11, 2025.

A team member in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participates in pad abort scenario recovery training, June 11, 2025.

ALT A team member in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center participates in pad abort scenario recovery training, June 11, 2025.

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Reminder: NASA's Exploration Ground Systems X account will be archived in one week. This account will remain available for your viewing. We will soon post updates about building, launching, and recovering Artemis missions via @NASAKennedy and @NASAArtemis.
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This week, Exploration Ground Systems and @DeptofDefense teams completed a two-part safety abort demonstration from the Launch Control Center at @NASAKennedy and in the waters near Cape Canaveral. This test prepares rescue personnel to recover crew and @NASA_Orion in the event of a pad abort or in-flight abort scenario. Learn more here: go.nasa.gov/4jNdtXP
Teams with NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) rehearse recovery procedures for an ascent abort scenario off the coast of Florida near Kennedy Space Center. A team member sitting atop the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) attaches a winch line.

ALT Teams with NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) rehearse recovery procedures for an ascent abort scenario off the coast of Florida near Kennedy Space Center. A team member sitting atop the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) attaches a winch line.

Teams with NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) rehearse recovery procedures for an ascent abort scenario off the coast of Florida near Kennedy Space Center. The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) floats in the water off the stern of a ship. Teams in smaller craft are nearby.

ALT Teams with NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) rehearse recovery procedures for an ascent abort scenario off the coast of Florida near Kennedy Space Center. The Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) floats in the water off the stern of a ship. Teams in smaller craft are nearby.

Teams with NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) rehearse recovery procedures for an ascent abort scenario off the coast of Florida near Kennedy Space Center. A helicopter hovers above the water near teams in small craft. Space Launch Complex 40 is seen in the background.

ALT Teams with NASA and the Department of Defense (DoD) rehearse recovery procedures for an ascent abort scenario off the coast of Florida near Kennedy Space Center. A helicopter hovers above the water near teams in small craft. Space Launch Complex 40 is seen in the background.

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Important update: In the coming weeks, NASA's Exploration Ground Systems X account will be archived. To consolidate our social media presence, we will soon post updates about building, launching, and recovering Artemis missions via @NASAKennedy and @NASAArtemis.
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ARCHIVED: NASA's Exploration Ground Systems retweeted
NASA's Kennedy Space Center
@NASAKennedy
4 Jun 2025
Power up complete! Teams powered up the @NASAArtemis SLS rocket core stage and solid rocket boosters inside the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building for the first time last week. The test verified the interfaces across the core stage, boosters and ground systems function properly. Read more about our integrated testing here: go.nasa.gov/43uSG6G
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In 2007, Liliana Villarreal joined @NASA. Now, she's the Artemis Landing and Recovery Director. “I think it’s an amazing thing what we’re doing for humanity. It’s going to better humanity, and it’s a steppingstone to eventually us living in other worlds. And I get to be part of that. You get to be part of that. How cool is that?” - Lili Learn about her journey here: go.nasa.gov/3Ze0ebj
Liliana Villarreal, Artemis landing and recovery director with Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), stands in front of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) at the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 1, 2023.

ALT Liliana Villarreal, Artemis landing and recovery director with Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), stands in front of the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) at the turn basin in the Launch Complex 39 area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Feb. 1, 2023.

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Pumped up! ⛽ Teams with Exploration Ground Systems ready @NASA_Orion for stacking atop the Artemis II @NASA_SLS rocket by fueling the service module, provided by @esa. To complete this operation, teams stationed in the Launch Control Center oversee and direct fueling operations, while teams in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility respond to manipulate valves and load the flight hardware’s bipropellant system. The service module is the powerhouse of the Orion spacecraft. It will provide in-space maneuvering capability, power, and life support commodities such as water, oxygen, and nitrogen for @NASAArtemis missions.
Technicians with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems offload the agency’s Orion spacecraft from the KAMAG transporter to the servicing stand inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, May 4, 2025, to undergo fueling and processing operations for prelaunch operations.

ALT Technicians with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems offload the agency’s Orion spacecraft from the KAMAG transporter to the servicing stand inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, May 4, 2025, to undergo fueling and processing operations for prelaunch operations.

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ARCHIVED: NASA's Exploration Ground Systems retweeted
NASA's Kennedy Space Center
@NASAKennedy
29 May 2025
Teams with @NASAGroundSys are preparing Artemis II with a series of integrated testing on the @NASA_SLS rocket. Engineers have started the test campaign to confirm rocket and ground systems are working and communicating as planned. Follow along: go.nasa.gov/43rMHxW
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ARCHIVED: NASA's Exploration Ground Systems retweeted
NASA's Kennedy Space Center
@NASAKennedy
28 May 2025
Power up 🔋✅ Technicians recently powered on the @NASAArtemis III Orion crew module. This initial power on marked the startup of the crew module’s computers, power and data units, which are responsible for commanding vehicle subsystems. Learn more: go.nasa.gov/4kd02RT
Technicians work on Artemis III Orion crew module on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians will continue assembling and testing the crew module and service module before integration in 2026. NASA/Rad Sinyak

ALT Technicians work on Artemis III Orion crew module on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians will continue assembling and testing the crew module and service module before integration in 2026. NASA/Rad Sinyak

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🔌Powered up!⚡ Last week, Exploration Ground Systems teams powered up the @NASAArtemis II @NASA_SLS core stage and solid rocket boosters for the first time. Teams in @NASAKennedy’s Launch Control Center verified the systems and interfaces function between the flight hardware and ground systems, including the engine and booster thrust control systems.
Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program finish integrating the interim cryogenic propulsion stage to the SLS (Space Launch System) launch vehicle stage adapter on Thursday, May 1, 2025, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

ALT Teams with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program finish integrating the interim cryogenic propulsion stage to the SLS (Space Launch System) launch vehicle stage adapter on Thursday, May 1, 2025, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the flame trench 🔥 The flame deflector at @NASAKennedy’s Launch Complex 39B will redirect the exhaust and intense heat of @NASA_SLS northward at liftoff, experiencing a peak heat of 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Teams with Exploration Ground Systems recently replaced the deflector’s metal plates, which range in size and weight from 1,100 to 5,500 pounds each.
Teams in the flame trench prepare the flame deflector at Launch Complex 39B for the launch of Artemis II.

ALT Teams in the flame trench prepare the flame deflector at Launch Complex 39B for the launch of Artemis II.

An image of the flame deflector at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B, captured at the opening of the flame trench, Thursday, May 16, 2025.

ALT An image of the flame deflector at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B, captured at the opening of the flame trench, Thursday, May 16, 2025.

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ARCHIVED: NASA's Exploration Ground Systems retweeted
NASA Artemis
@NASAArtemis
13 May 2025
A jam-packed week for the Artemis II crew — paying homage to the Apollo 1 crew, going through emergency egress exercises, and checking out the @NASA_Orion spacecraft ahead of fueling in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at @NASAKennedy.
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The @NASAArtemis II crew visited @NASAKennedy this week! With teams from NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems, they participated in Emergency Egress System training at Launch Complex 39B and the Vehicle Assembly Building, walked through the crew access arm of mobile launcher 1, and joined a launch simulation in Firing Room 1 of the Launch Control Center.
Crew members and backup members for NASA’s Artemis II mission and teams from the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program participate in emergency egress training at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

ALT Crew members and backup members for NASA’s Artemis II mission and teams from the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program participate in emergency egress training at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

From left, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover participate in training at Launch Complex 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

ALT From left, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, and Artemis II pilot Victor Glover participate in training at Launch Complex 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

From left, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander; CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist; Andre Douglas, NASA’s Artemis II backup crew member; NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist; and NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, participate in emergency egress training with teams from the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

ALT From left, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander; CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist; Andre Douglas, NASA’s Artemis II backup crew member; NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist; and NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, participate in emergency egress training with teams from the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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Hitting the road 🚙🗺️ Last weekend, teams transported @NASA_Orion to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where they will begin fueling the crew and service modules. After fueling, teams will install the launch abort system on Orion at the Launch Abort System Facility before heading to the Vehicle Assembly Building to be stacked atop @NASA_SLS.
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