Artemis 2

Artemis 2
Name	Artemis 2
Mission type	Crewed lunar flyby
Operator	NASA
Spacecraft	Orion
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin, Airbus Defence and Space
Launch date	September 2025 (planned)
Launch rocket	Space Launch System Block 1
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B
Landing site	Pacific Ocean
Programme	Artemis program
Previous mission	Artemis 1
Next mission	Artemis 3

Artemis 2. This mission is the first crewed flight of the Artemis program and is designed to test critical systems with astronauts aboard during a lunar flyby. As the inaugural crewed mission for both the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System, it will carry four astronauts on a trajectory around the Moon without entering orbit. The success of this mission is a pivotal step toward returning humans to the lunar surface and enabling future exploration of Mars.

Overview

Artemis 2 represents a major milestone for NASA and its international partners, including the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. The mission builds upon the uncrewed test flight of Artemis 1, which validated the integrated performance of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft in deep space. Scheduled for launch no earlier than September 2025 from Kennedy Space Center, the flight will mark the first time humans have traveled to the vicinity of the Moon since the conclusion of the Apollo program in 1972. The mission profile is designed to rigorously test life support, communication, and navigation systems with a crew on board in the demanding environment of cislunar space.

Mission profile

Following launch from LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center, the Space Launch System will propel the Orion spacecraft onto a translunar injection trajectory. The crew will conduct an extensive checkout of Orion's systems during the multi-day outbound coast. The spacecraft will perform a lunar flyby, using the Moon's gravity to slingshot into a distant retrograde orbit, reaching a maximum distance from Earth of over 230,000 miles. This path will provide a high-stress test of the spacecraft's capabilities before the return journey. The mission will conclude with a high-speed re-entry into Earth's atmosphere and a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where recovery teams from the United States Navy and NASA will retrieve the crew and capsule.

Crew

The four-person crew for the mission was announced by NASA in April 2023. The commander is Reid Wiseman, a veteran of the International Space Station. The pilot is Victor Glover, who previously served as pilot on the SpaceX Crew-1 mission. Mission specialist Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. Representing the Canadian Space Agency, mission specialist Jeremy Hansen will become the first Canadian to travel to the Moon. This diverse crew reflects the international collaboration underpinning the Artemis program.

Spacecraft and launch vehicle

The crew will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft, with the crew module built by Lockheed Martin and the European Service Module provided by Airbus Defence and Space under contract to the European Space Agency. The launch vehicle is the Space Launch System Block 1, the most powerful rocket ever built, which generates over 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. Major elements of the rocket, including the core stage with RS-25 engines and the solid rocket boosters from Northrop Grumman, are evolved from Space Shuttle technology. The Orion spacecraft is equipped with advanced life support, radiation protection, and an emergency abort system provided by the Launch Abort System.

Objectives and scientific payload

The primary objectives are to demonstrate Orion's crewed performance, validate life support systems, and confirm operational procedures for future lunar missions. While not a primary science mission, the crew will conduct a suite of experiments and technology demonstrations. These include monitoring crew health in deep space, testing optical communication systems like the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration, and evaluating radiation exposure using active dosimeters. The flight will also test navigation and rendezvous sensors critical for the future Lunar Gateway and provide invaluable operational data for planning Artemis 3.

Timeline and status

As of 2024, major hardware elements, including the Orion crew module and the Space Launch System core stage, are undergoing final integration and testing. The mission is formally scheduled for launch in September 2025, following a comprehensive review of data from Artemis 1. Key upcoming milestones include the completion of crew training, the stacking of the rocket in the Vehicle Assembly Building, and a final wet dress rehearsal. Successful completion will clear the path for Artemis 3, which aims to land astronauts, including the first woman, near the lunar south pole.

Category:Artemis program Category:NASA space missions Category:Planned space missions