NASA Prepares for Historic Lunar Return with Artemis II

NASA is actively preparing for the Artemis II mission, which signifies humanity's first crewed flight to the Moon since the Apollo era concluded in 1972. This mission serves as a crucial precursor to future lunar exploration efforts.

In a clear nod to the Apollo program, Artemis II will dispatch four astronauts on a trajectory that involves a lunar fly-around. This flight profile is designed as a quick out-and-back journey, not involving a lunar landing or extended orbiting.

Mission Profile: A Quick Lunar Out-and-Back

The flight plan dictates that the crew will travel several thousand miles beyond the Moon before executing a U-turn for their return to Earth. The entire duration of this test flight is anticipated to last less than 10 days.

NASA officials emphasize that while this mission will not involve setting foot on the Moon, it is a necessary practice run. Artemis II represents the first crewed step toward establishing a sustained presence on the lunar surface in this new era of exploration.

Meet the Trailblazing Artemis II Crew

The four astronauts selected for this historic flight are Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. This mission will introduce the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non-American to travel around the Moon.

Astronaut Accomplishments Highlighted

  • Christina Koch: She currently holds the record for the longest single spaceflight completed by a woman, totaling 328 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between 2019 and 2020. Koch also participated in the first all-female spacewalk.
  • Victor Glover: A Navy test pilot, Glover became the first Black astronaut to live and work on the ISS during his tenure in 2020 and 2021. He was also among the first astronauts launched to space via a SpaceX vehicle.
  • Jeremy Hansen: Representing the Canadian Space Agency, Hansen is a former fighter pilot and is the only rookie astronaut among the four crew members.
  • Reid Wiseman: Serving as the mission commander, Wiseman is a retired Navy captain who previously lived on the ISS in 2014 and subsequently led NASA's astronaut corps.

The crew members range in age from 47 to 50 years old.

Technology Powering the Journey

The Artemis II mission relies on NASA's powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which stands 322 feet tall. While shorter than the Saturn V rocket used during Apollo, the SLS generates greater liftoff thrust due to its pair of strap-on boosters.

The astronauts will be housed in the Orion capsule, which sits atop the massive rocket. The SLS utilizes liquid hydrogen as fuel, the same propellant used by the retired Space Shuttle program.

Testing and Delays

The use of hydrogen fuel has presented challenges, as leaks previously grounded the Space Shuttles. These issues have also impacted the Artemis program.

Following an uncrewed test flight in 2022, Artemis II experienced delays due to hydrogen leaks during a February fueling practice run, causing it to miss its initial launch window. Subsequent helium-flow issues further postponed the mission into April.

In-Orbit Practice Maneuvers

Following liftoff, the first 25 hours of the mission will involve the crew circling the Earth in a high, eccentric orbit. During this time, they will conduct docking practice using the already separated upper stage of the rocket as a target for the Orion capsule.

Astronauts will rely on visual judgment rather than sophisticated range-finding equipment for this exercise. They will maneuver the capsule to within 33 feet of the upper stage to practice relative navigation for future lunar operations.