The countdown for NASA’s Artemis II wet dress rehearsal was paused late Monday night at Kennedy Space Center with just minutes remaining before the simulated launch countdown, before ultimately concluding early Tuesday morning.

Following the two-day rehearsal, NASA announced it will move the mission’s earliest launch opportunity to March.

Huntsville plays a central role in the Artemis II mission through NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which manages the Space Launch System program.

Marshall engineers oversee critical rocket hardware, including the Orion stage adapter that connects the Orion spacecraft to the rocket, as well as flight software and launch support.

The wet dress rehearsal, often called a WDR, is a practice run that follows the same timeline used on launch day. It is called “wet” because the rocket is fully loaded with its super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants, just as it will be for liftoff.

The only thing that does not happen during the WDR is ignition of the engines.

At T-minus 10 minutes, the countdown entered a hold at 8:50 p.m. EST as teams worked through remaining closeout activities. According to NASA, the wet dress rehearsal proceeded as engineers continued evaluating systems and completing planned objectives.

In a post-test update, NASA said the agency successfully completed the wet dress rehearsal, including fully loading cryogenic propellant, sending teams to the launch pad to close out the Orion spacecraft, and safely draining the rocket.

Engineers encountered several challenges during the two-day test but met many of the rehearsal’s key objectives.

NASA officials said data from the test will now be reviewed before proceeding with another wet dress rehearsal, pushing the earliest possible launch opportunity for Artemis II to March.

“To allow teams to review data and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal, NASA now will target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the flight test,” the agency said in its statement.

Agency leaders will discuss initial results from the wet dress rehearsal during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.

With the shift to a March launch window, Artemis II astronauts were released from quarantine, which began Jan. 21 in Houston. NASA said the crew will re-enter quarantine approximately two weeks before the next targeted launch opportunity.

Artemis II is scheduled to carry four astronauts on a mission around the moon, marking NASA’s first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission will test spacecraft systems and operations ahead of future lunar landings.

Courtesy of 256 Today

Two of the most recognizable test structures on NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center campus are coming down next weekend in a highly choreographed, safety-driven demolition that agency leaders say is the opening move in a much larger modernization push now backed by guaranteed federal dollars in President Donald Trump’s sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill.

NASA will conduct the planned, controlled demolition of the Dynamic Test Stand and the Propulsion and Structural Test Facility — better known to the Rocket City as the “T-Tower” — on Saturday, January 10, according to information shared with Yellowhammer News.

The buildings have reached the end of their safe operational life and have been targeted for removal as part of a long-planned effort to modernize Marshall’s footprint and reduce the growing cost, and risk, of maintaining aging infrastructure.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement to Yellowhammer News the exercise is both a safety necessity and a strategic prerequisite to fully capitalize on the law’s infrastructure guarantees.

“This work reflects smart stewardship of taxpayer resources. Clearing outdated infrastructure allows NASA to safely modernize, streamline operations, and fully leverage the infrastructure investments signed into law by President Trump to keep Marshall positioned at the forefront of aerospace innovation,” Isaacman said.

The removal of the two aging facilities is the phase of a broader “cleanup and modernization” initiative that will ultimately retire 25 outdated structures on Marshall’s main campus footprint.

According to NASA, that will serve to reduce long-term maintenance burdens, eliminate safety liabilities, and free up space for a new generation of facilities as NASA shifts toward what its leadership calls a “future of exploration.”

RELATED: Reflections on Apollo 10’s legacy 56 years after launch and Alabama’s role in its success

Though a necessary hurdle, it’s still historic for the agency and the federal government as a whole.

What makes the moment historic is what’s driving the timing: A new federal funding structure that effectively forces NASA to modernize on a deadline.

In Washington, ‘infrastructure’ funding typically means big plans with slow appropriations.

But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed last July, is different in a way that does matter big for Huntsville.

Inside the law is a $1 billion “manned spaceflight centers” infrastructure appropriation — money intended specifically for capital improvements at the NASA centers that build, test, launch, and operate America’s human spaceflight programs.

Crucially for Alabama, the law sets minimum allocations and hard obligation deadlines that effectively create a “use it on schedule” mandate.

For Marshall Space Flight Center, the statute directs NASA to obligate “not less than $100,000,000” by fiscal year 2026 for infrastructure improvements at the Huntsville center — a floor written into federal law, not a hopeful line item in an annual request.

It also imposes a ramp of deadlines: At least 50% of the Marshall infrastructure funding must be obligated by September 30, 2028 – 100% must be obligated by September 30, 2029.

That’s where demolition comes in.

Clearing obsolete facilities is one of the fastest ways a federal campus can move from planning to action.

Before NASA can pour new concrete, reroute utilities, or build the next generation of engineering and fabrication spaces, it has to remove the buildings that are no longer mission-useful, no longer cost-effective to maintain, or no longer safe to operate – and convert that footprint into buildable, modernized space.

While Marshall’s broader 25-structure cleanup is expected to unfold in phases, the Dynamic Test Stand and T-Tower will mean ‘go’ for the Rocket City’s literal transition from the Apollo-era skyline to the next era’s campus footprint.

7. Former White House physician Kevin O’Connor invoked the Fifth Amendment and dodged questions during a House Oversight Committee interview investigating an alleged cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s mental and physical decline, leading to speculation about his actions.

6. Fairhope city council candidates were surveyed about addressing inappropriate materials in the public library’s juvenile sections; most candidates wisely declared that the obviously inappropriate books in the children’s section should have been moved. However, Andrea Faust Booth appears to timidly support the actions of the library staff that cost the Alabama Public Library Service funding in the first place.

5. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is advocating for a murder trial against a former Decatur police officer in the shooting death of Steve Perkins, emphasizing accountability. But the case hinges on whether former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette was in fear for his life being taken after Perkins pointed his gun at the officer before he was shot.

4. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) predicted a growing GOP majority, citing public frustration with “stupid” Democratic policies and their radical ideas.

3. NASA is experiencing significant staff departures due to budget cuts and policy changes under the Trump administration, raising concerns about the agency’s future, with 279 expected to depart Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama.

2. Governor-elect Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) encouraged ICE agents to “shoot back” IF  attacked during immigration enforcement, emphasizing their right to self-defense; the usual suspects are upset because they can’t understand English.

1. As some on the left continue their hateful rhetoric and strange accusations (some on the right, too) about the Texas floods, Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) called for national unity following the Texas floods that killed over 100 people, and condemned Democrats for blaming Trump’s policies instead of focusing on recovery.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

The news this week has been pretty crazy.

There are riots in L.A.

Is California’s Governor Gavin Newsom just running for office by attacking President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville?

Can the U.S. Senate save NASA funding?

What is the Golden Dome caucus?

All this and more, on Alabama Politics This Week!

Mecca Musick is the CEO of 256 Today. Sign up for the 256 Today newsletter here.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch stood by his crime statistics comments, despite Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner labeling them “reckless and dangerous,” which are code words for “accurate”.

6. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) predicted a strong conservative would replace Governor-elect Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) as Alabama’s junior senator in 2026.

5. A Senate committee version of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” aims to restore funding for NASA’s Artemis IV and V missions, benefitting Huntsville-based NASA employees and their ongoing mission.

4. CNN’s Harry Enten reveals that polling consistently shows the American public siding with Trump and Republicans, especially on immigration, despite mainstream media narratives.

3. As lawlessness reigns in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump deployed 700  Marines and 2,000 more National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles to quell anti-ICE riots. The move prompted a lawsuit from California Gov. Gavin Newsom that could empower Trump because the people support law and order by a large margin despite the media’s failures to tell the truth about this situation.

2. Alabama U.S. House Democrats faced criticism for not condemning Los Angeles anti-ICE riots, and their voters and party leaders claimed riot photos were AI-generated while warning of civil war. Meanwhile U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was one of the few Democrats willing to call this disaster what it is.

1. While California’s governor attempted to distract from his failures, Alabama’s U.S. Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville denounced Los Angeles’ “anti-ICE,” while ICE was working hard in Alabama and arrested 10 undocumented immigrants in Baldwin County.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is warning of a nationwide phishing scam impersonating a nonexistent “Alabama DMV,” urging residents not to click suspicious text links.

6. A new Alabama law requires law enforcement to collect biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial scans, from illegal immigrants during arrests, but the American Civil Liberties Union is whining about how unfair it is to the illegal immigrants.

5. The Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce is now warning that NASA budget cuts could cede U.S. lunar dominance to China and threatens Alabama’s aerospace industry, but job losses are obviously the real issue to the Chamber.

4. Alabama’s new THC law restricts hemp-derived THC products, with some saying the law is confusing — which is false — and threatening businesses selling the products — which is true — while Attorney General Steve Marshall has now clarified that the law goes into effect on July 1, it will be enforced, and the penalties are real.

3. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s feud intensified on X over Trump’s $2 trillion “big beautiful bill,” before Musk deleted his critical posts, including baseless Epstein-related accusations.

2. Homeland Security is working with local Alabama law enforcement to track unaccompanied immigrant minors in Marshall and Dekalb counties, while ICE is rounding up illegal immigrants at worksites across the state and even detaining immigrants in Birmingham at immigration hearings.

1. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to quell violent anti-ICE protests and riots, in defiance of Governor Gavin Newsom’s pathetic wishes and Mayor Karen Bass’ delusional argument that everything is fine.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell raised $50,000 in 12 days for his 2026 Secretary of State campaign, emphasizing election integrity.

6. An Alabama Waffle House employee alleged he was fired for refusing service to a Trump supporter, igniting a debate over workplace discrimination.

5. Data guru Nate Silver’s suggests young men are increasingly rejecting Democrats due to cultural and economic disconnects impacting national politics, with a particular focus on mental health disparities.

4. President Donald Trump demanded the deportation of Boulder, Colo., attack suspect Mohamed Soliman, questioning his immigration status, and blaming Joe Biden for this weekend’s terror attack in Colorado.

3. Governor-elect Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) dismissed Democratic claims that he resides in Florida, not Alabama, as he campaigns for governor in 2026.

2. President Donald Trump’s 2025 budget proposes cutting funding for a Huntsville-led Space Launch System and its Orion crew capsule, threatening local aerospace jobs.

1. Alabama officials, including U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) and Dale Strong (R-Huntsville), backed a GAO report affirming Alabama as the best location for U.S. Space Command’s headquarters, criticizing Biden’s Colorado choice as politically motivated and fiscally foolish.

Listen here: 

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

7. Another anti-Jewish terror attack in the United States took place in Boulder, Colorado, when a man yelled “End Zionists” before launching Moltov cocktails at a crowd that included women and children during an event calling for the release of Israeli hostages.

6. A G4 geomagnetic storm could make the Northern Lights visible in Alabama on Sunday and Monday nights.

5. Ukraine destroyed over 40 Russian military aircraft in a drone attack, prompting President Donald Trump to state he was not told ahead of time and signal rising global tensions.

4. U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) endorsed Auburn coach Bruce Pearl for Alabama’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, praising his energy and leadership — this is a thing that is happening.

3. The media misinformation machine is firing on all cylinders this weekend as they claimed U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) glibly said everyone is going to die and made it clear they never believed Elon Musk made a Nazi salute while ignoring U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) making the same gesture in the same setting for the same reason.

2. President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman, who has Alabama ties, to lead NASA, citing unspecified concerns, and leading to some to say “NASA is f—ed.”

1. Governor-elect Coach U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) vowed to be an active Alabama governor after 2026, comparing his leadership to a “battleship” and addressing lottery concerns about high overhead costs.

Listen here: 

On May 18, 1969, NASA launched Apollo 10, the final test mission that paved the way for the first Moon landing just a month later. As Alabamians remember the 56th anniversary of this historic event, the state’s influence in space exploration continues to grow, rooted deeply in its past and future with NASA.

While Apollo 10 launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida, much of the mission’s backbone was built in Huntsville. The massive Saturn V rocket that carried astronauts Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Eugene Cernan was designed and tested at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. The rocket’s guidance systems, including the instrument unit, were also produced in Huntsville, according to NASA’s Apollo 10 mission documentation.

Related: With Meink confirmation as Secretary of the Air Force, moving Space Command on horizon

Today, Marshall Space Flight Center remains a hub for cutting-edge innovation. An article by NASA stated that the Marshall Space Flight Center is leading the development of the Space Launch System (SLS), the rocket that will carry astronauts back to the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis program. Engineers at Marshall are also heavily involved in 3D printing technology for space applications, rocket engine testing, and space station operations.

NASA reports that its operations in Alabama touch all 67 counties through research, education, and economic partnerships. The agency currently maintains over 50 active agreements with institutions and businesses across the state, including the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, Alabama A&M, and the University of North Alabama.

Alabama’s influence on space and defense is expected to expand further. Following the confirmation of Frank Calvelli Meink as the new Secretary of the Air Force, momentum is building to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado Springs to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville—a move long backed by multiple presidential administrations and military assessments.

“The 21-category selection speaks for itself,” said Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville), referring to the thorough evaluation process that previously named Huntsville as the top choice.

With Meink now confirmed, officials expect a final decision favoring Alabama could soon follow.

As Alabama reflects on its contributions to the Apollo era, it also stands at the forefront of the next generation of American space exploration, ready to support missions not just to the Moon, but eventually to Mars and beyond.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sablevins@farmerstel.com.

7. Kilmar Abrego-Garcia continues to see his true story told while Democrats look for ways to recast the narrative.

6. A Fairhope woman is crashing out online because her illegal immigrant/killer/husband, Huy Quoc Phan, has been arrested.

5. The Alabama State Senate is considering a bill to regulate hemp product sales after attempts to legalize more hemp failed.

4. It’s not just indoctrination about sex that is upsetting parents, a Huntsville library book for juveniles sparked debate over its racial teachings.

3. President Donald Trump proposed billions in NASA budget cuts, including a Huntsville rocket program

2. Looks like the poll on Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth’s Facebook page (and a brilliant radio interview) has him open to running for U.S. Senate.

1. After a huge jobs report, President Donald Trump spent the weekend infuriating his enemies over the Pope, Sith lords, Greenland, a military parade, reopening Alcatraz, due process for illegals, the war on drug cartels, immigration, and more.

Listen here:

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong has a firestorm response to critics over his approach to town halls and public meetings.

In an interview on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show”, Strong (R-Monrovia) said he was elected to represent North Alabama in Congress – not liberal news outlets or George Soros activist groups.

“I’m not going to change how I’ve done business,” Strong said.

“The three-quarters of a million people in North Alabama’s 5th Congressional District – I placed my name on the ballot, and they overwhelmingly said that they chose me to represent them in the 5th District. It wasn’t any of these media outlets, and I’ll promise you this right here: I’m not gonna bow down to George Soros and his bunch of funded agitators.”

Strong said his constituent engagement efforts, which have been ongoing since he first took office, have included more than 30 mobile office hours across some of the smallest communities in the 5th District, more than 1,500 district meetings – and most importantly – results.

RELATED: Rep. Dale Strong selected to serve on House Appropriations Committee

“We’re fighting for the jobs at Marshall, we’re fighting for DOD, we’re fighting for ATF, FBI. We’re working with Science, Space, and Technology Chairman [U.S. Rep. Brian Babin] out of Texas to be sure he knows our capabilities,” Strong said.

“And then you go and look – as a sophomore, I am on Appropriations, and I’m the Vice Chair of CJS, which is Commerce, Justice, and Science. That right there is what funds Marshall Space Flight Center, and people can take it to the bank: I’m going to be fighting with everything in me. And again, if we find waste that is out there, I want to know about it.”

The congressman also blasted wasteful federal spending by Democrats, including “$22 billion being spent for free housing and cars for illegal aliens; $45 million for DEI scholarships in Burma; $40 million to improve socioeconomic inclusion of migrants; $8 million to promote LGBTQI in Africa.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. It’s worse than anybody ever thought,” Strong said.

RELATED: Dale Strong ‘bullish’ that Huntsville will soon become U.S. Space Command’s final headquarters destination

He related voters’ overwhelming decision to elect a full GOP sweep in Washington during the 2024 election to the political shift that’s taken place in Alabama since 2010 — and the conservative governance that has produced.

“Think about this: The Democrats ran this state for over 100 years, and you look at what they did to Alabama. Then all of a sudden, they lost every major office in the state of Alabama. And then you think about it, Dale, I’m the first chairman Republican to ever serve on the Madison County Commission. And look what we did. We created thousands of jobs, paid down the debt, we went in here, reduced the size of government, reduced it by 16.2%,” Strong said.

“This is what people asked elected officials to do, and now it’s the same thing that’s going on at the federal level. But I promise you right now, if they think that I’m gonna bow down to the Soros group, it’s not going to happen. This job isn’t for the weak in the stomach, I promise you. You’ve got to have a backbone, and we are full steam ahead.”

As President Donald Trump works to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs throughout the federal government, there’s new evidence that DEI was having a negative impact on National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions.

According to whistleblowers within NASA who shared documents with The Blaze Media, the space agency’s planned Artemis moon mission became all about promoting DEI initiatives, including a vow to “land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.”

This space mission has major ramifications for the Yellowhammer State. According to NASA’s FY23 Economic Impact Report, the Artemis program ultimately generates over 35,000 jobs and contributes $8 billion to Alabama’s economy.

The whistleblowers shared with The Blaze a 99-slide presentation called “The Artemis Brand Playbook” that would use “innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.”

One of the featured descriptions in the presentation said, “Today, we celebrate not just the successful splashdown and recovery of Artemis Orion, but the knowledge that we will put the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. This victory would not have been possible without those who have worked by our side, from small business and aerospace partners to the universities who have made this a scientific milestone.”

According to the report, one of the sources complained that the DEI initiatives were costing the agency a lot of money and becoming a distraction from the actual mission of going back to the moon.

“People will say, ‘It’s always over budget and behind schedule,’ but Artemis, I think, is a special case. We don’t even have a tower to launch the damn rocket right now,” the source said. “NASA, in my opinion, has become a glorified DEI program.”

Also according to the report, other sources talked about how the storylines in the marketing would focus on DEI.

“The way that they would cherry-pick these rags-to-riches stories of these astronauts, a lot of it was centered around DEI,” one scientist said. “It wasn’t just the astronauts; it was with researchers and scientists and the interns that they already had outlined stories of basically, you know, the ‘intern from India,'” she said, referring to one of the presentation’s listed protagonists.”

It’s likely that the DEI initiatives will now be ended within NASA since Trump signed an Executive Order banning it within the federal government.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee

7. A federal grand jury indicted nine people – Eusebio Cruz-Zurita of Mexico and Edgar Esmain Rivas-Martinez of Honduras, and seven others – for illegally reentering the United States after previous deportations, signaling a crackdown on immigration violations. Karim Arguello-Barraza, 22, of Mexico was separately charged with possessing a firearm as an alien, adding to the bevy of federal offenses. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Alabama’s Northern District are prosecuting the cases while also equipping federal agents and local law enforcement with regular training to tackle immigration-related crimes effectively.

6. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and 20 other state election officials have called on the Department of Homeland Security to overhaul the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, citing its inadequacies in detecting noncitizens attempting to vote, a priority echoed by President Trump. In a letter to DHS chief Kristi Noem, the officials emphasized that improving the program would strengthen election integrity, a cause Allen has championed despite previous roadblocks from the Biden administration during his 2024 Senate testimony. For Allen, who views noncitizen voting as a direct threat to Alabama’s electoral process, these updates represent a vital tool to enforce his strict policy and ensure only citizens participate in the state’s elections.

5. Under President Donald Trump’s directive to streamline federal agencies, NASA is closing several offices, including its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility branch, the Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy, and the Office of the Chief Scientist. Acting Administrator Janet Petro informed employees via memo that this “phased reduction in force” is a strategic move to reshape NASA’s workforce ahead of a government deadline. The closures, part of the “Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative,” aim to ensure the agency remains effective while meeting its legal mandates and focusing on the actual work of the agency, not the political machinations of bureaucrats.

4. Alabama’s State Board of Education will decide Thursday whether to intervene in Dallas County Schools, a struggling rural system where enrollment has fallen to just over 2,200 students and financial audits revealed unreconciled payments and unbid $4.8 million contracts. State Superintendent Eric Mackey, after issuing a show cause letter on Feb. 21, signaled the takeover due to unspecified governance and financial woes, despite the district’s slight academic improvement from a 75 to a 79 on the state report card. Dallas County’s school board voted to accept state assistance, mirroring the paths of Sumter County and Bessemer City, where intervention has addressed similar declines but left ongoing staffing and consolidation challenges.

3. Auburn’s reign as college basketball’s No. 1 ended with a slide to No. 3 in the final AP Poll after losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, the top spots now belong to Duke and Houston while the SEC retained three of the top five. Alabama settled in at No. 5, the first time the Crimson Tide held a top 10 ranking from opening tip to final buzzer, bolstered by the conference’s strength with Florida at No. 4, Tennessee at No. 8, and Texas A&M and Kentucky rounding out six top-15 teams. As the SEC Tournament looms, the conference, potentially sending double-digit teams to the NCAA Tournament, promises an explosive postseason with Mississippi State dropping out but Missouri hanging on at No. 21.

2. The Magic City Acceptance Academy is once again in the spotlight for being a public school pushing an obvious LGBTQ+ and DEI agenda through events like drag queen talks and donations of books on sexuality from the Interfaith Alliance. State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) has already predicted legislative action in 2025. State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville) and State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) have called out the school’s shift from hiding its radical focus to flaunting it, clashing with Alabama’s divisive concepts law, originally sponsored by Oliver and strengthened by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road). Meanwhile, State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) pushes HB 244 to reinforce classroom bans on ideology, arguing that MCAA prioritizes radicalism over reading, writing, and arithmetic.

1. State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) has proposed four tax cut bills that are projected to save Alabama families $314.6 million yearly by lowering grocery taxes to 2%, doubling the retirement income exemption to $12,000, and easing income tax burdens through expanded deductions. The package also gives local governments the flexibility to further cut food taxes with other measures to target middle- and lower-income residents with a $23.8 million tax break, building on Alabama’s push to become tax-friendly. Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) lauded the measures, noting that since 2022, the Legislature has balanced such cuts with paying off state debt and issuing $393 million in rebates, ensuring robust finances while delivering relief to citizens.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.

 7. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed on Fox News with Jesse Watters that she directed the firing and security clearance revocation of over 100 intelligence officers for “brazen” sexually explicit exchanges in NSA chatrooms, a scandal unearthed by Christopher Rufo and labeled “horrific behavior” unfit for a platform meant for mission-critical work. DNI spokesperson Alexa Henning detailed the memo sent to all intelligence agencies, targeting “obscene, pornographic” discussions, as the NSA admitted to probing the misuse by a “small group,” insisting it doesn’t represent the community, with investigations underway.

6. The Department of Government Efficiency touts over $5.2 million in Alabama savings from reworking six federal offices, including moving the National Labor Relations Board in Birmingham to federal space and closing Social Security Administration branches in Anniston, Cullman, and Gadsden, as part of a claimed $55 billion national cutback. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) disputes the impact, reporting over 100 “unjust” Birmingham Social Security terminations affecting her district, while Dustin Gautney of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District casts doubt on a $3.6 million Mobile lease savings, noting a prior termination unrelated to DOGE.

5. U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.), who is the head of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, spearheaded a hearing where members Brian Babin (R-Texas) and Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.) championed NASA’s Artemis program, deeply tied to Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center, as vital for national security and economic benefits, resisting Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cuts. Witnesses Daniel Dumbacher, a former NASA executive, and Scott Pace, Space Policy Institute director, urged a moon-first strategy over Musk’s Mars focus, noting China’s lunar lead and the lack of a Mars race. Dumbacher called for U.S. lunar dominance and Pace suggested more frequent flights using SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance, all active in Alabama. U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) critiqued Musk’s outsized influence and self-serving Mars push, while Babin underscored Congress’s long-standing moon directive, arguing that shifting gears risks the industrial base, a sentiment echoed as Artemis’s $100 billion scope drives billions into Alabama’s economy annually.

4. Self-defeating Immigrant advocates objected to Alabama’s proposed immigration legislation, including bills which seek to register labor brokers and immigrant workers to prevent extortion. Executive Director Allison Hamilton of the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice warned it’s a privacy-jeopardizing move misrepresented as worker protection but it would stop the scam of fly-by-night employment agencies that shield companies who hire illegal labor. Additional bills by State Sen. Lance Bell (R-St. Clair County) for DNA sampling, State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Mobile County) for harsher sentencing, State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Baldwin County), which invalidates certain out-of-state driver’s licenses, and State Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope), which imposes wire transfer fees, are filed as the community fights to reshape a legislative narrative they see as unjust and divisive. Heartstrings were pulled by testimonies about an immigrant being arrested as an undocumented teen, separated from her son over a minor traffic stop, and a construction worker asserting, “I deserve to be here,” (which they do not) citing decades of labor building hospitals and planting trees across Alabama, while others tried to invoke lawmakers’ own immigrant ancestry, which will not work.

3. At a press conference in the Old House Chamber, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor, joined by Attorney General Steve Marshall and Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, showcased the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit’s 94-day haul of 2,300 traffic stops, 674 warrants served, and 103 “switches” seized, linking its efforts to an 18.6% homicide drop in 2024 and ongoing crime declines in Montgomery. Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson praised the unit’s role in recent carjacking arrests, while State Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Inabinett highlighted its use of ATF technology to solve violent crimes, fueling optimism from officials like Montgomery District Attorney Azzie Oliver for broader impact as Gov. Kay Ivey’s Safe Alabama package proposes $3 million to sustain and extend it to high-crime hubs like Birmingham. Marshall noted residents’ tangible relief, stopping him in stores to say they feel safer, as Taylor pushed for legislative support to replicate this “milestone” statewide, arguing the results, backed by a united front of federal, state, and local partners including ATF Assistant Special Agent Tyra Cunningham, speak for themselves in proving the unit’s worth.

2. Elon Musk was present during President Donald Trump’s first full Cabinet meeting and said a widely debated email to federal workers was a basic “pulse check” to confirm their existence, suspecting some of the 1 million responders reported by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt represent payouts to “fictional individuals” or the deceased. Positioning DOGE as “tech support” fixing outdated government systems, Musk underscored its goal to avert national bankruptcy by targeting a $1 trillion cut from the $7 trillion budget, a daily $4 billion savings pace he deems critical as debt interest outstrips defense spending. Amid Cabinet support, he brushed off criticism and death threats, insisting the U.S. can’t sustain $2 trillion deficits, confidently asserting DOGE’s ability to deliver fiscal relief while maintaining fairness in its sweeping reforms.

1. While the media is filled with unrepentant phony liars, some of whom are now pushing the idea that they didn’t know Joe Biden was falling apart all along, they are now openly lying about President Donald Trump and claiming he wants to cut Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid in a new budget despite him saying the exact opposite. Trump was specifically asked, “Can you guarantee that Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security will not be touched?” Trump responded that he will not touch them: “I’ve said it so many times you shouldn’t be asking that question. We are going to look for fraud.” Regardless, that statement and other Republicans saying the same exact thing are all but being ignored while accusations are given new life everyday, with the actual thing passed by the House this week being a budget resolution setting fiscal targets with changes to Social Security not even allowed.

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7. Leland Dudek, a Social Security Administration dedicated bureaucrat was placed on leave and nearly fired after admitting on LinkedIn to aiding DOGE by sharing documents, reallocating funds, and bypassing leadership to tackle agency waste. Acting Commissioner Michelle King left after resisting DOGE’s access to SSA data, and Dudek was spared from punishment and took her place as interim leader. It was hailed as a win for frustrated civil servants eager to fix systemic mismanagement by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). Now at the helm until Trump’s nominee Frank Bisignano is confirmed, Dudek embodies a rare alliance between DOGE’s efficiency crusade and insiders who know where fraud festers, targeting issues like illegal immigrants exploiting Social Security numbers and fake disability claims.

6. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and 19 state attorneys general filed an amicus brief backing Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), asserting that lawsuits from opposing states unconstitutionally obstruct the president’s mandate to tackle federal fraud, waste, and abuse. Marshall charged that the “radical left” is exploiting the judiciary to safeguard a corrupt system, undermining the clear will of Americans who elected Trump to safeguard their tax dollars. The Trump administration also got another win in the legal arena and can proceed with mass firings of federal employees, rejecting labor unions’ attempts to halt the Elon Musk-led overhaul, which has already slashed billions in spending, thousands of jobs, and secured 75,000 buyouts as the media declares a bloodbath.

5. After a Cullman County grand jury indicted Hanceville Police Chief Jason Marlin and four officers on 26 charges — ranging from drug injections on duty to misusing databases and tampering with evidence via a broomstick-accessed room; the remaining department employees were placed on administrative leave. At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office assumed patrol duties for Hanceville’s 3,300 residents, following a meeting between Mayor Jimmy Sawyer and Sheriff Matt Gentry to address the crisis. With the city council set to convene Feb. 27 to debate the department’s fate, both officials pledged to prioritize public safety as the fallout from the “criminal enterprise” allegations continues to unfold..

4. A potential constitutional amendment from State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs), mandates that Alabama public schools broadcast or perform the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner” weekly, using either a Library of Congress recording or school-sanctioned musical group, to ensure students connect with its 100-year legacy of patriotic inspiration. The bill stipulates that local boards must choose an archived version from the Library of Congress website or arrange a live performance, positioning it as a cultural imperative. Non-compliance risks defunding, which is comical but probably 100% effective way to get kids to hear the anthem every week. Unrelated: Canada beat USA Hockey 3-2 … USA USA USA.

3. One of the more “controversial” nominees of President Donald Trump, Kash Patel, secured Senate confirmation as FBI Director on with a tight 51-49 vote, facing opposition from Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), with both Alabama senators voting in the affirmative. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) celebrated the rapid pace of Trump nominee confirmations, expressing confidence that Patel would redirect the FBI’s focus to combating terrorists and criminals, ending its targeting of Americans for their politics. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) echoed this, asserting Patel would overhaul the agency to serve the people again, taking charge of its $2.2 billion budget and 38,000-strong workforce to bolster national security..

2. The Alabama Farmers Federation wants to create a self-funded health plans for its members, projecting coverage for 10,000 people within five years, inspired by Tennessee’s successful model, amid a farm economy losing over $1 billion annually, the bill is sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is not psyched about this as they are already controlling over 90% of the state’s insurance market. BCBS counters that ALFA’s plan dodges critical regulations, risks leaving out farmers with pre-existing condition – who make up most of its aging base – and could spike premiums for others by cherry-picking healthy enrollees. Critic Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley) and 30 advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Society, blast the plan as “junk” coverage lacking transparency and essential benefits, such as mammograms. ALFA insists it’s a tailored benefit, not insurance, designed to ease the burden of soaring health costs rivaling mortgage payments.

1. NASA has announced that it worked out a deal with the Office of Personnel Management to avoid the Trump administration’s expected mass layoffs, choosing instead to base cuts for its 1,300 probationary employees on performance or voluntary terms, thus preserving much of its 18,000-person workforce critical to the Artemis moon program. While this averted a feared “indiscriminate dismissal” of over 1,000 workers — the largest since Apollo’s end — about 900 employees (5%) took a deferred resignation deal, staying on payroll through September. The Planetary Society’s Casey Dreier welcomed the strategic shift but cautioned that blunt, non-targeted cuts elsewhere could still jeopardize NASA’s lunar ambitions, unlike the Apollo era when layoffs followed a completed mission rather than one ramping up. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Pentagon and military leaders to identify 8% in annual budget cuts over the next five years, not to shrink the department’s total funding, but to reallocate those savings toward Trump administration priorities, adding, “it is not a cut.”

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U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) are vocally reaffirming their support for Marshall Space Flight Center as the future of the Space Launch System (SLS) continues to draw the speculation of national media.

“It is no secret China is aggressively advancing their technology and space programs, threatening both U.S. national and economic security,” Britt said. “The U.S. space program is vitally important, and I am proud that Alabama and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center continue to play an integral role in redefining the boundaries of human imagination and the heights of human achievement.”

Britt is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies — which funds NASA. She has championed the Yellowhammer State’s role in deep space exploration, both during the Biden Administration and now President Donald Trump’s second term.

RELATED: Britt helps provide billion-dollar boost for NASA in Alabama

“In my meetings with members of President Trump’s team, I have touted Alabama’s second-to-none capabilities and will continue to highlight how Alabamians are pivotal to fulfilling President Trump’s mission for space exploration and to get American astronauts to Mars,” Britt noted.

“While we need to ensure the cost effectiveness of the program, the SLS rocket—the most powerful in world history—is the only rocket currently capable of taking astronauts and large cargo directly to lunar orbit in a single launch. We will need multiple solutions and capabilities for assured access to space, especially given the threat of the Chinese Communist Party,” she added.

NASA’s “Moon to Mars” effort is estimated to have an economic output in Alabama of more than $5 billion, supporting over 22,000 jobs in the state between NASA and the private sector.

Tuberville, Alabama’s senior Senator, has taken to the Senate floor previously to defend NASA from Democrat attempts that would negatively impact work done at Marshall Space Flight Center.

In comments to Reuters this week, Tuberville also backed the future of SLS.

“The SLS will be fine,” Tuberville said. “I know that there’s a lot – because of Elon Musk involved in the DOGE situation – there’s a lot of rumors out there on that, but I got full confidence on the SLS and the future for them.”

Former NASA executive Jonathan Pettus has been hired as executive director of the Auburn University Applied Research Institute in Huntsville.

Pettus worked for 27 years at NASA, where he served in a variety of executive leadership roles including as NASA’s chief information officer and as the associate director of Marshall Space Flight Center. Before joining the Auburn family, he retired from Dynetics/Leidos, where he led a business unit that included programs in space, hypersonics and cybersecurity solutions.

Beginning his career as a high school mathematics teacher and basketball coach, Pettus grew up “intrigued and enthusiastic about space” and technology, he said.

Pettus said he is, “excited about the opportunity to help with the overall strategic goal of continuing to grow Auburn’s impact in applied research” and sees a “great opportunity” at AUARI to grow research efforts aimed at solving real-world problems.

“The Applied Research Institute will be in capable hands with Jonathan Pettus as its executive director,” said Steve Taylor, senior vice president for research and economic development. “He brings to the position a wealth of knowledge and experience in the aerospace, defense and advanced technology sectors.

“I am confident he will help us expand critical applied research efforts that will address important challenges from our government and industry partners.”

A native of Killen, Pettus earned bachelor’s degrees in computer science and mathematics history in 1987 from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree in computer science in 1995 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The Auburn University Applied Research Institute operates within the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville’s Cummings Research Park near Redstone Arsenal, a 38,000-acre federal research, development, test and engineering center.

The Institute brings together Auburn faculty, research professionals, and students to conduct cutting-edge applied research and development across a range of technology readiness levels to help customers overcome aerospace, defense, national security and biotechnology challenges.

Courtesy of Auburn University. 

7. Alabama State Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Pleasant Grove) is calling out the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) for wasting nearly $8 million of taxpayer money without delivering medical cannabis access as promised. Despite stringent licensing requirements, the AMCC granted licenses to unqualified applicants, leading to costly legal challenges and continued delays for patients. Coleman urges the commission to end legal battles, adhere to legislative guidelines, and prioritize accountability for taxpayers and patients in need.

6. Huntsville Councilwoman Michelle Watkins expressed concerns about potential abuse of police access to school cameras, despite supporting emergency use for incidents like active shooter situations. The City Council approved the measure 4-1, with provisions limiting access to emergencies and requiring officers to follow state and federal guidelines, but Watkins criticized the agreement as vague and lacking adequate safeguards, such as monthly usage reports. Supporters, including Council President John Meredith, emphasized the importance of rapid response to emergencies, citing past tragedies like the Uvalde shooting, while Watkins warned of potential legal risks and overreach.

5. Trussville Tribune publisher Scott Buttram is the latest media figure to roast aldotcom for publishing what he called “unfounded” claims of racism against Alabama entities, demanding a public apology during an interview. He cited two recent incidents: a November article accusing the Selma Times-Journal of racial insensitivity over a photo of hay bales and a now-deleted TikTok-based claim labeling Cullman a “sundown town” during its Christmas celebration. Buttram described the coverage as “race-baiting” and accused AL.com of damaging the reputation of respected institutions and communities in Alabama without credible evidence.

4. NASA announced further delays for its Artemis lunar missions, with Artemis III, the first crewed moon landing in over 50 years, postponed to mid-2027 and the Artemis II crewed flyby now expected no earlier than April 2026. The delays stem partly from unexpected heat shield erosion on the Orion spacecraft during its uncrewed Artemis I mission, prompting NASA to modify the capsule’s reentry trajectory for safety. These setbacks, coupled with an impending leadership transition under the next Trump administration, raise questions about future timelines and policies for NASA’s lunar exploration efforts amid a competitive space race with China. It also raises questions for many about how NASA will move on with programs in development.

3. Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran, was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide after a controversial trial initiated by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who was accused of politicizing the case and ignoring evidence that Penny acted in defense of subway passengers threatened by Jordan Neely. The jury, rejecting allegations of racial bias and siding with passengers’ testimonies, deemed Penny’s actions justified, but the case highlighted procedural missteps, including Bragg’s handling of charges and the judge’s contentious rulings. Critics argue the prosecution’s approach could deter future good Samaritans from intervening in dangerous situations, potentially putting vulnerable individuals at greater risk.

2. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) criticized the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for celebrating “Pansexual and Panromantic Pride Day,” calling it an example of what he sees as activist-driven policies under the Biden administration. Tuberville tied his critique to the election of President-elect Donald Trump, expressing anticipation for the new administration’s changes, including Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next HHS Secretary. Tuberville has consistently criticized the Biden administration’s health policies and expressed hope that Kennedy’s leadership would address issues such as corruption in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

1. Luigi Mangione, 26, was apprehended at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pa., and identified as the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, a crime that has made him a hero among the worst people on the planet. Authorities linked Mangione to the crime after recovering a “ghost gun,” reportedly 3D-printed, along with writings criticizing corporate America and the healthcare industry. Following a multi-state manhunt, Mangione remains in custody without bail as investigations continue, with DNA and ballistic tests underway to solidify evidence in the high-profile case.

Listen here:Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast Talk Radio 103.9 FM/730AM WUMP from 3-4 p.m.

Media Fusion, a tribally owned business, has been named Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year by the Marshall Space Flight Center.

“We are proud of Media Fusion and our employees for earning this well-deserved recognition,” said Poarch Creek Indians Tribal Chair and CEO Stephanie A. Bryan. “This honor reflects the values of excellence, innovation, and integrity that guide our Tribe’s enterprises.

“We look forward to seeing Media Fusion continue to flourish and inspire other businesses through its commitment to delivering exceptional service.”

The recognition highlights the company’s outstanding contributions in providing creative services, multimedia support, and technology solutions to NASA. The award was presented during the 38th meeting of the Marshall Small Business Alliance.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center as the Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year,” said Richard Williams, CEO of Media Fusion. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the partnership we have with NASA. We are proud to play a role in communicating their ambitious goals.”

The event, held at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in Huntsville, was established to recognize companies and leaders for their support of the center’s small business programs and NASA’s mission of exploration.

“We are excited about this year’s winners,” said David Brock, small business specialist, NASA Office of Small Business Programs at Marshall. “Each plays a key role in helping NASA/MSFC achieve successes in support of key programs and projects, including the Human Landing System and Space Launch System rocket.

“Maintaining and sustaining an experienced and competitive industry base is what makes America strong, and small businesses are at the core of those successes.”

Courtesy of 256 Today.

Forbes released its annual “Best-In-State Employers” for each state, in partnership with market research firm Statista for the year 2024.

According to Forbes, more than 160,000 employees working for companies with at least 500 people within the United States were surveyed. Participants were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer on a scale of zero to ten. Responses were incorporated into a scoring system, along with survey data from the past three years.

Companies that received the highest scores in each state made their list. The list, which includes public and private institutions, showcases Alabama’s top 45 places to work:

1. Northrop Grumman
2. Home Instead Senior Care
3. Alabama Department of Public Health
4. NASA
5. Publix Super Markets
6. The Home Depot
7. Southern Company
8. AIRBUS
9. Infirmary Health
10. RTX
11. Polaris Inc.
12. Honda Motor
13. University of Alabama at Birmingham
14. Nucor
15. Baptist Health (Alabama)
16. WestRock
17. United States Department of Defense
18. Hoover City School District
19. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
20. Hyundai
21. University of Alabama
22. USA Health
23. Regions Financial
24. Huntsville Hospital Health System
25. PNC Financial Services
26. FedEx
27. TJX Companies
28. Verizon Communications
29. JBS USA
30. U.S. Social Security Administration
31. Austal USA
32. Auburn University
33. State of Alabama
34. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
35. Amazon
36. Southeast Health
37. Chick-fil-A
38. Tractor Supply
39. Inspire Brands
40. Hibbett Sports
41. Wells Fargo
42. University of South Alabama
43. Shelby County School District
44. Southeastern Grocers
45. AT&T

Thursday morning marked the first stage of the return of Rocket Park’s Rocket Row at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Dr. Kimberly Robinson, the center’s CEO and executive director, welcomed the return of the Rocket City’s iconic “Spaceline.”

“The Rockets comprising Rocket Row here at the Space and Rocket Center have been integral to our identity since the museum’s inception in 1970,” she said. “These historic artifacts have welcomed millions of visitors, serving as tangible symbols of humanity’s journey into space.”

The Rocket Row rockets are the Army Redstone, Jupiter, Jupiter-C, Juno II, and Mercury-Redstone rockets, all of which were mounted before the Rocket Center opened in 1970. These vehicles represent the Redstone family of rockets that led to the development of the Saturn I and ultimately the Saturn V that took Americans to the moon.

“Each has stood as witness of the can-do spirit of our early explorers, but those rockets that were originally intended for active space missions shortly after their assembly have stood proudly on display for over five decades,” said Robinson. “And during the passage of time and the weathering of all the elements, those years finally took their toll, necessitating a critical need for restoration to preserve these priceless artifacts.”

The rockets were removed in 2018 and transported to Cosmos Aerospace in Cullman for restoration work.

The restoration work on the rockets in the Rocket Park was made possible by Fred Luddy, a Space Camp parent from California, who provided $2 million in funding for Rocket Row.

Luddy said he first visited U.S. Space & Rocket Center when his son attended Space Camp.  He said it was a magnificent place but noticed the rockets looked “a little tired.”

“They already had a plan. The plan just needed a little fuel,” said Luddy. “I want to thank the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the city of Huntsville for letting us be a small part of this. We’re very, very proud to be part of your community. Thank you.”

Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon said Rocket Row is something to be celebrated.

“It is a place where we can celebrate our history, our heritage, and it is literally part of the fabric of our lives,” he said. “As we go through this park and we get to see the new rocket park out there, keep in mind that this is a part of our history, of our country. It is providing defense for our country. It has given us space exploration.

“It has put a man on the moon and now looking forward to going to Mars and beyond. All of this is a part of it.”

Once the renovation of Rocket Park is completed, it will include an amphitheater for educational experiences and community events, and greener, guest-friendly spaces.

Another important addition to Rocket Park will be a section of the SLS Core Stage Pathfinder, a mock-up that matches the size, weight, and center of gravity of the Space Launch System managed by Marshall Space Flight Center.

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the city is the birthplace of NASA and the Spaceline signifies hustle and progression.

“Now we’re putting together the SLS that is one of the heaviest lift rocket engines ever, ever to be put on Earth,” he said. “And it just shows the progression of what has been accomplished out of Marshall’s Space Flight Center right here at Redstone Arsenal.”

The Pathfinder was used at Kennedy Space Center and other NASA centers to practice handling an actual vehicle. The segment will illustrate the massive size of the SLS launch vehicle and help tell the story of the Rocket City’s current and ongoing role in space exploration.

Additionally, officials are planning to dedicate the Marshall Retirees Association’s Space Exploration Honor Wall in October. The wall will include the more than 21,000 names of local people who have supported space exploration as employees of the Marshall Space Flight Center and companies that work with NASA.

John Allen, CEO of the Huntsville Committee of 100, said the names on the Honor Wall laid the foundation for today.

“The honor wall is representative of the foundational people that built this community. It’s a testimony to their hard work and effort,” he said. “I’ve said before, we’ve pencil whipped the Saturn 5 to the moon. The engineers and scientists and all the supporting personnel that worked on it and numerous other history-making missions that were built and supported here in Huntsville are reflected on this wall.

“We can’t do what we were doing today without that foundation many years ago from these individuals.”

Additional work on the Spaceline will continue for the next few months, including the completion of the space shuttle Pathfinder restoration project. Once complete, the orbiter will be placed back on the full shuttle stack, returning that icon to the city’s Spaceline.

This story originally appeared in 256 Today. 

With the aid of the Tennessee Valley, two NASA astronauts are their way in a historic mission to the International Space Station.

A Decatur-built United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carried a Boeing Starliner spacecraft into orbit Wednesday on a roughly 25 1/2 hour journey to the ISS. After a 10:52 a.m. EDT launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Commander Butch Wilmore and pilot Suni Williams are expected to rendezvous and dock with the space station around 12:15 p.m. EDT Thursday. 

“Safety is a critical part of the ULA decision-making process, and we are deeply honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of starting the astronauts on their journey to the International Space Station, one that we will watching throughout their mission,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “ULA has performed a tremendous amount of work in conjunction with our partners at Boeing and NASA to ensure our designs provide the highest level of safety to the crew and we will continue to prioritize our dedication to safety as we look forward to future launches in support of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.”

The crew flight test mission makes history in several ways.

As the first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, Williams is the first female astronaut to fly on the first flight of a crewed spacecraft. The launch also marks the first crewed launch on the ULA Atlas V rocket and the first crewed launch on an Atlas-family class rocket since Gordon Cooper on the last Mercury program flight aboard “Faith 7” in May 1963. 

https://x.com/BoeingSpace/status/1798378082098933922

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, whose district includes a Boeing plant, the ULA rocket plant and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, offered congratulations on the mission.

“I congratulate Boeing, United Launch Alliance, and NASA on the first successful crewed launch of the Starliner Spacecraft,” Strong (R-Monrovia) said. “This launch was the result of a critical collaboration and years of dedicated work, much of which took place right here in North Alabama.

“I also want to congratulate ULA on maintaining its 100% launch success rate, a testament to the quality of their work.”

While the mission is continuing, the Atlas V’s job is complete and delivered the Starliner and crew to a 98-nautical mile sub-orbital trajectory. Following separation from the Atlas V, the Starliner engines ignited to place the crew on their orbital path to the space station.

“My congratulations and sincerest gratitude to our unrivaled team and exceptional partners on the launch of a new era in human spaceflight aboard one of the most reliable rockets in the world,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “It’s a profound honor to assist in enabling assured reliability and redundancy of crewed launches.”

Measuring 10 feet in diameter and 41.5 feet in length, the Centaur upper stage uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its twin Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 engines. The burn of the Centaur’s dual engines lasted a little more than seven minutes before engine cutoff and separation from Starliner. 

Following its separation, the Atlas Centaur landed in the ocean near Australia. 

This story originally appeared in 256 Today.