European Stock Market Indices: Stoxx 600, DAX, FTSE, CAC, ASML
LONDON – European stocks opened higher Thursday, led by AI chip stocks which surged following record earnings by TSMC.
The pan-european Stoxx 600 advanced 0.34% at 11:30 a.m. in London (6:30 a.m. ET).
Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML popped as much as 7% in early dealmaking,sending it to record highs,as investors responded to stronger-than-expected earnings from Taiwan’s TSMC. It was last seen up 4.54%.
TSMC reported a 35% increase in fourth-quarter profit, beating estimates and hitting a fresh record as demand for artificial intelligence chips remained strong.
ASM International advanced as much as 9.54% but was last seen at 8% higher, and BE Semiconductor
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Artemis Program Update: January 15, 2026
Table of Contents
NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon, is currently preparing for Artemis III, with a revised launch date targeting September 2026. Recent delays and budgetary concerns have impacted the schedule, but the program remains a high priority for the United States.
The Artemis Program: Overview
The Artemis program is a U.S. goverment-led international human spaceflight program with the goal of landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon, establishing a sustainable presence there, and ultimately preparing for crewed missions to Mars. It builds upon the Apollo program,leveraging new technologies and international partnerships.
The program is named after the Greek goddess of the Moon, Artemis, and the twin sister of Apollo.
Artemis I: Uncrewed Flight Test
Artemis I successfully completed an uncrewed flight test around the Moon in December 2022. This mission validated the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft’s capabilities.
Evidence: The Artemis I mission splashed down on December 11,2022,after a 25.5-day flight, demonstrating the heat shield’s performance during re-entry. NASA Press Release
Artemis II: Crewed Flyby
Artemis II, a crewed mission planned to orbit the Moon, has experienced delays. Originally scheduled for late 2024, the launch is now targeted for no earlier than September 2025. These delays are primarily attributed to challenges with the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield and life support systems.
Detail: The Artemis II crew consists of four astronauts: reid Wiseman,victor Glover,Christina Koch,and Jeremy Hansen. They will test Orion’s life support systems and validate the capabilities for long-duration spaceflight. NASA Artemis II Crew Page
Artemis III: Lunar Landing
Artemis III aims to land astronauts near the lunar south pole. The current target launch date is September 2026, a delay from the original 2025 target. This delay is largely due to progress challenges with SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS).
Evidence: On March 2,2023,NASA announced SpaceX’s Starship as the selected HLS provider. NASA Press Release.However, ongoing testing and development of Starship have faced setbacks, impacting the Artemis III timeline. As of January 15, 2026, Starship is undergoing further testing and modifications to meet NASA’s safety and performance requirements.
Program Costs and Oversight
The Artemis program faces ongoing scrutiny regarding