NASA is preparing for a monumental step in lunar exploration with the Artemis II mission. This flight represents humanity’s first journey to the Moon since 1972, echoing the spirit of the historic Apollo program.

Artemis II: A Quick Lunar Out-and-Back

The Artemis II mission is designed as a crewed test flight, sending four astronauts on a lunar fly-around. The plan involves traveling several thousand miles past the Moon before executing a U-turn for a direct return.

This mission will not involve orbiting or landing; it is a rapid, out-and-back journey projected to last less than 10 days. It serves as a crucial practice run before NASA attempts to establish a sustained presence on the Moon.

Meet the Diverse Artemis II Crew

The four-person crew brings a wealth of experience and international representation. Commander Reid Wiseman, a retired Navy captain, previously served aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2014.

Victor Glover, a Navy test pilot, made history as the first Black astronaut to live and work on the ISS (2020-2021) and launched with SpaceX. Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and participated in the first all-female spacewalk.

The crew is rounded out by Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, who is the mission’s space rookie. The astronauts range in age from 47 to 50 years old.

The Hardware: SLS Rocket and Orion Capsule

The mission relies on NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which stands 322 feet tall. While shorter than the Apollo-era Saturn V, the SLS is more powerful at liftoff due to its strap-on boosters.

The crew will travel inside the Orion capsule, which incorporates components like salvaged space shuttle engines. The SLS utilizes liquid hydrogen fuel, the same fuel that caused grounding issues for the Space Shuttles.

Setbacks and Preparations

Hydrogen leaks have presented challenges for the program. These leaks grounded the shuttles and also affected the uncrewed 2022 SLS test flight. More recently, similar hydrogen leaks during a February fueling practice delayed the Artemis II launch window.

Subsequent helium-flow issues further postponed the mission into April. The team is focused on ensuring all systems are fully operational before the crewed flight.

Mission Profile: Earth Orbit to Deep Space

Following liftoff, the first 25 hours will be spent circling Earth in a high, elliptical orbit. This phase allows the crew to practice station-keeping maneuvers by steering the Orion capsule near its separated upper stage.

Astronauts will rely on visual assessment, approaching no closer than 33 feet to the stage, simulating docking practice for future deep-space missions.

The Lunar Fly-By Trajectory

If checks are successful, Orion’s main engine will propel the crew toward the Moon, approximately 244,000 miles away. The mission employs a free-return trajectory, leveraging the gravity of the Earth and Moon to conserve fuel, a technique popularized by Apollo 13.

On flight day six, Orion will reach its furthest point, sailing 5,000 miles beyond the Moon. This distance will set a new record, making the Artemis II crew the most remote travelers in history.

The return journey begins immediately after, culminating in a splashdown on flight day 10—specifically, nine days, one hour, and 46 minutes after launch.

Scientific Focus and Visual Spectacle

The crew anticipates observing never-before-seen regions of the lunar far side during their close flyby. During the closest approach, the Moon will appear roughly the size of a basketball held at arm's length.

NASA geologist Kelsey Young, monitoring from Mission Control in Houston, will serve as their lunar mentor. Young noted that the mission aims to make the Moon feel more accessible globally, stating, “The moon is like such a unifying thing.”

The astronauts will carry professional cameras alongside the latest smartphones, which NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman added to encourage inspiring photography.

Observing the Far Side

While NASA and private entities have focused on the near side of the Moon, only China has previously landed spacecraft on the far side. Therefore, the observations made by the Artemis II crew regarding the lunar far side are highly valuable to NASA.

Homecoming and Heat Shield Concerns

Similar to the Apollo missions, Artemis II will conclude with a splashdown landing in the Pacific Ocean. Intense scrutiny will be placed on Orion’s heat shield during atmospheric reentry.

This shield sustained significant damage during the 2022 uncrewed test flight, showing charred areas and gouges. Although the heat shield for Artemis II uses the original design, NASA is limiting reentry heat exposure by shortening the capsule’s atmospheric descent.

Navy recovery ships will be positioned off the coast of San Diego to retrieve the Orion capsule after it parachutes into the ocean.