Artemis II

Artemis II
source
Mission name	Artemis II
Space agency	NASA
Spacecraft	Orion (spacecraft)
Launch date	2024
Launch vehicle	Space Launch System
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center

Artemis II is a planned NASA mission that will send the first woman and the first person of color to orbit the Moon as part of the Artemis program. The mission will be crewed by four astronauts, including Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, Jeremy Hansen, and Christina Koch, who will fly aboard the Orion (spacecraft) spacecraft. The Space Launch System rocket will be used to launch the spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center. The mission will be a critical step towards establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon and will pave the way for future missions to Mars with the help of European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Overview

The Artemis II mission is part of the larger Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025 and establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. The mission will build on the success of the uncrewed Artemis I mission, which will test the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion (spacecraft) spacecraft. The Artemis II mission will be crewed by four astronauts, who will spend approximately 26 days in space, including 10 days in lunar orbit, and will work closely with NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and NASA Glenn Research Center. The mission will also involve the use of advanced technologies, such as the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate and the NASA Advanced Exploration Systems.

Mission Objectives

The primary objective of the Artemis II mission is to test the crewed Orion (spacecraft) spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket in lunar orbit. The mission will also test the performance of the spacecraft's systems, including the NASA Environmental Control and Life Support System and the NASA Communications and Navigation System. The crew will also conduct a series of scientific experiments, including the NASA Astrobiology and NASA Planetary Science experiments, and will work with NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Langley Research Center, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The mission will also involve the use of the Gateway (space station), which will serve as a base for future missions to the Moon and will be developed in collaboration with European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

Spacecraft Design

The Orion (spacecraft) spacecraft is designed to carry crew members to the Moon and provide a safe and reliable means of transportation. The spacecraft is equipped with advanced life support systems, including the NASA Environmental Control and Life Support System, and communication systems, including the NASA Communications and Navigation System. The spacecraft is also equipped with a NASA Service Module, which provides propulsion, power, and communication capabilities, and will be developed in collaboration with European Space Agency and Airbus. The Space Launch System rocket is designed to launch the spacecraft into lunar orbit and will be developed in collaboration with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.

Crew and Training

The crew of the Artemis II mission will undergo extensive training to prepare for the mission. The training will include scientific and technical briefings, spacewalk training, and mission simulation training, and will be conducted at NASA Johnson Space Center and European Astronaut Centre. The crew will also work closely with NASA Flight Directors and NASA Mission Control Center to develop the mission plan and to practice the mission scenarios. The crew will also participate in NASA Spaceflight Training and NASA Astronaut Training programs, and will work with NASA Astronaut Office and NASA Human Resources.

Launch and Flight Profile

The Artemis II mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Center on a Space Launch System rocket. The spacecraft will follow a lunar flyby trajectory, which will take it to the Moon and back to Earth. The crew will spend approximately 26 days in space, including 10 days in lunar orbit, and will work closely with NASA Mission Control Center and European Space Agency to monitor the mission. The spacecraft will also use the NASA Deep Space Network to communicate with Earth, and will be tracked by NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.

Timeline and Budget

The Artemis II mission is currently scheduled to launch in 2024, with a budget of approximately $2.5 billion. The mission is part of the larger Artemis program, which has a total budget of approximately $20 billion. The program is managed by NASA Headquarters and involves the collaboration of multiple NASA Centers, including NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and NASA Glenn Research Center. The mission will also involve the use of advanced technologies, such as the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate and the NASA Advanced Exploration Systems, and will be developed in collaboration with European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Category:Space missions