NASA is gearing up for its most significant test in decades with the upcoming launch of the Artemis II mission, scheduled for as early as February 6, 2024. This mission marks a pivotal step in the agency’s long-standing goal to return American astronauts to the moon and eventually establish a sustainable lunar presence. The Artemis program, initiated in 2017, aims to not only revisit the moon but to lay the groundwork for future exploration, including missions to Mars.
Artemis II will be the first crewed flight to venture beyond low-Earth orbit since the last Apollo mission in 1972. Four astronauts will embark on this historic journey: NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. They will fly around the moon on a trajectory that offers a unique view of the lunar surface, although they will not land.
The challenges of returning to deep space are considerable. While NASA draws from the lessons learned during the Apollo missions, the Artemis missions will integrate advanced technologies to achieve more complex objectives. “The most important thing we are working on — refining and honing — is: How do we handle the unknown?” Hansen stated during a September news conference. This mission will not replicate past Apollo flights but will focus on testing the various systems of the Orion spacecraft.
Mission Details and Objectives
Artemis II will utilize a slingshot trajectory around the moon, designed to ensure the astronauts can return to Earth safely even if the capsule’s propulsion system fails. Unlike Apollo, which entered low-lunar orbit, Artemis II will take a broader flight path, allowing the crew to observe parts of the moon that have never been seen by human eyes. “We have been learning how to turn those observations into tangible science,” Koch noted.
As the mission unfolds, it will take place against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, with lawmakers underscoring the importance of lunar exploration in response to China’s advancing space program. The upcoming flight is viewed as a critical step toward future lunar landings, particularly aimed at the moon’s south pole region later this decade.
During the journey, the crew members will experience significant isolation. “For the 45 minutes we are closest to the lunar surface, we are also going to be out of contact — we’re going to have an LOS, in NASA terms, a loss of signal,” Glover explained. He expressed hope that the global community would unite in support of their mission.
The primary goal of Artemis II is to gain insights into the systems required to sustain human life in deep space. This knowledge is essential for establishing a permanent lunar outpost where astronauts can prepare for subsequent missions, including potential expeditions to Mars.
Technological Innovations and Preparations
The Artemis II mission will see the crew aboard the Orion capsule, launched atop NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Over the course of several days, the Orion spacecraft will cover approximately 238,900 miles (about 385,400 kilometers) to reach the moon. At these distances, astronauts will face higher radiation levels than those typically experienced by space travelers on the International Space Station.
NASA’s Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, highlighted the importance of understanding the effects of deep space on the human body. “We will be collecting some of the baseline data here on how humans operate when they get away from the Earth,” Bleacher stated.
The Orion spacecraft, along with the SLS rocket, has undergone rigorous testing. During the earlier Artemis I mission, which conducted an uncrewed flight around the moon in 2022, the heat shield of Orion exhibited signs of wear. Although the damage did not compromise safety, NASA spent over a year addressing the issue. “We feel very confident that we are going to be able to bring our crew back safely for Artemis II,” said Lakiesha Hawkins, NASA’s acting deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate.
The Artemis II astronauts will conduct various scientific experiments during their journey. They will carry tools to assess their cognitive functions, stress levels, and cardiovascular health. Additionally, human organ tissue samples will be onboard to study how the astronauts’ bodies react to deep-space conditions.
As Orion travels the far side of the moon, the crew will analyze and photograph geological features, including impact craters and ancient lava flows. This research will be invaluable for future lunar exploration and will contribute to our understanding of the moon’s geological history.
In summary, the Artemis II mission represents a significant leap in human space exploration. As NASA prepares for this historic flight, it not only aims to advance scientific knowledge but also to inspire a new generation of explorers. The mission could redefine humanity’s relationship with the moon and pave the way for ambitious future endeavors in space.