NASA’s Artemis 2 mission launched successfully at 6:35 p.m. EDT from Florida’s Space Coast, sending four astronauts into Earth orbit. The crew – NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with the Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen – are now preparing for a crucial maneuver.

The Translunar Injection Burn

The primary focus of Artemis 2’s second day in space is the translunar injection (TLI) burn. Scheduled for today, this burn will propel Orion towards the moon. This maneuver is considered a “real big commitment point,” according to Norm Knight, director of NASA’s Flight Operations Directorate.

Preparing for the Critical Burn

Prior to the TLI burn, the Artemis 2 crew and Mission Control are meticulously checking Orion’s systems. They are ensuring the capsule is fully prepared for the demands of a deep-space voyage. This includes verifying the functionality of life-support systems, communications, and other essential equipment.

“We’re looking to make sure that the life-support systems work, that the vehicle’s healthy,” Knight said during a postlaunch press conference on Wednesday. “We assure that those are functional, because once we commit to TLI, they have to function.”

Decision Time for Mission Control

This afternoon, the mission management team will convene to review the data collected and determine whether to proceed with the TLI burn. Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, explained that the decision will be based on Orion’s readiness.

If the team deems Orion unprepared, the mission will remain in Earth orbit. However, if given the green light, the spacecraft will embark on a figure-eight loop around the moon, a trajectory chosen for its safety and simplicity. This path will also set the stage for the crew’s return to Earth.

Mission Timeline and Goals

The Artemis 2 mission aims to fly by the moon on Day 6 and return to Earth on Day 10. This voyage will provide valuable experience for future lunar missions, paving the way for NASA’s goal of landing astronauts on the lunar surface in 2028 with the Artemis 4 mission.

The TLI burn not only propels Orion towards the moon but also establishes the free-return trajectory that will ultimately bring the crew back to Earth for splashdown. This makes the burn essentially a deorbit burn as well.