Artemis II could launch as soon as Feb. 6 from Pad 39B, carrying four astronauts on a roughly 10-day SLS mission that would return humans to the Moon's vicinity for the first time since 1972. Blue Origin named former ULA CEO Tory Bruno as president of national security as its New Glenn rocket prepares for defense payloads. Meanwhile, 2025’s viral pop-culture moments — from headline-making ads to celebrities traveling beyond Earth — helped keep space and entertainment stories in the spotlight.
Artemis II Countdown, Blue Origin Hires Tory Bruno, and 2025’s Pop-Culture Wrap
As NASA’s Artemis II crew prepares for a lunar flyaround in early 2026, Brevard County and the Space Coast are gearing up for a surge of visitors, media and heightened interest in what would be humanity’s first return to the Moon’s vicinity since 1972.
Artemis II: A Return to Lunar Vicinity
The launch window opens as soon as Feb. 6, when four astronauts are scheduled to lift off aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) from Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center. The flight is planned as a roughly 10-day mission designed to carry humans back to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in more than five decades — a high-profile milestone for NASA and the global space community.
Blue Origin Adds Veteran Leadership
Blue Origin announced on Dec. 26 that former United Launch Alliance chief executive Tory Bruno will join the company as president of national security. Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin maintains a major presence at Cape Canaveral and has flown its New Glenn rocket twice this year. With Bruno on board, New Glenn’s future role in national security and defense-related launches is now an even clearer priority for the company.
2025 Pop Culture: Viral Moments That Crossed the News Cycle
As 2025 closes, the year’s pop culture stories — from internet-breaking celebrity moments and widely discussed ad campaigns to celebrities literally leaving planet Earth — continued to resonate beyond entertainment pages. These headline-grabbing moments often intersected with broader public conversations, making the year notable not only for space developments but for cultural stories that captured global attention.
Why It Matters
Together these developments set a busy tone for space coverage heading into 2026: an imminent lunar mission, strategic industry hires signaling deeper defense work, and a cultural backdrop that kept space and celebrity in the headlines.
For continuing coverage from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space and consider subscribing for full access.
By Rick Neale, Space Reporter, FLORIDA TODAY. Contact: Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
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