NASA's Artemis II Mission: Humanity's First Lunar Flight Since 1972
In a monumental leap for space exploration, NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis II mission, marking humanity's first crewed flight to the moon since the historic Apollo 17 mission in 1972. This groundbreaking endeavour represents a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface, with NASA promising more boot prints in the gray lunar dust in the coming years.
A Diverse and International Crew
The Artemis II astronauts represent a significant milestone in space exploration diversity. The crew includes Christina Koch, who will become the first woman to travel to the moon, and Victor Glover, who will be the first person of colour to make the journey. Koch already holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, having spent 328 days aboard the International Space Station in 2019-2020, where she participated in the first all-female spacewalk.
Glover, a Navy test pilot, made history as the first Black astronaut to live and work aboard the International Space Station during 2020-2021. He was also among the first astronauts to launch with SpaceX. The Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, a former fighter pilot, brings international representation as the mission's lone space rookie. Commanding the mission is retired Navy captain Reid Wiseman, who previously lived aboard the space station in 2014 and later headed NASA's astronaut corps. The crew members range in age from 47 to 50, bringing a wealth of experience to this historic mission.
The Space Launch System: More Powerful Than Saturn V
NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket stands at 322 feet (98 meters), slightly shorter than the Apollo program's Saturn V rocket but significantly more powerful at liftoff thanks to its pair of strap-on boosters. The Orion capsule carrying the astronauts sits atop this formidable launch vehicle.
Constructed using salvaged space shuttle engines and other components, the SLS utilises the same liquid hydrogen fuel that powered the shuttle program. This fuel choice has presented challenges, with hydrogen leaks repeatedly grounding both the space shuttles and the first uncrewed SLS test flight in 2022. More recently, Artemis II experienced similar hydrogen leaks during a February fueling practice run, causing the mission to miss its initial launch window. Additional helium-flow issues further delayed the mission, pushing the launch into April.
The Artemis II Flight Path
After liftoff, the astronauts will spend approximately 25 hours circling Earth in a high, lopsided orbit. During this phase, they will use the separated upper stage as a target for docking practice, essential preparation for future lunar missions. Remarkably, they will rely on visual observation rather than sophisticated range finders to judge distances, maintaining a minimum separation of 33 feet (10 meters) from the stage.
"Sometimes simple stuff is the best," Commander Wiseman noted regarding this approach.
If all proceeds according to plan, Orion's main engine will propel the crew toward the moon approximately 244,000 miles (393,000 kilometers) away. The mission employs a free-return trajectory made famous during the Apollo 13 mission, leveraging the gravitational forces of both the moon and Earth to minimise fuel consumption.
On flight day six, Orion will reach its farthest point from Earth as it sails 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) beyond the moon. This distance will surpass Apollo 13's record, making the Artemis astronauts the most remote human travelers in history. After emerging from behind the moon, the crew will begin their direct return journey, culminating in a splashdown on flight day ten—nine days, one hour, and 46 minutes after liftoff.
Scientific Observations and Equipment
During their approximately six-hour lunar flyby, the Artemis II crew may observe never-before-seen regions of the moon's far side. At the closest approach, the moon will appear about the size of a basketball held at arm's length. The astronauts have been studying maps and satellite images of the lunar far side in preparation for what they anticipate will be a photographic frenzy.
NASA geologist Kelsey Young, serving as the crew's lunar mentor, will monitor the flyby from Mission Control in Houston. "The moon is like such a unifying thing," Young observed. "What we're doing with this mission is going to bring that a little closer to everybody around the world."
In addition to professional camera equipment, the astronauts will carry the latest smartphones for capturing images. NASA's new administrator Jared Isaacman added smartphones to the mission specifically for their potential to capture "inspiring" photographs.
While NASA and private companies have historically focused on the moon's near side—the hemisphere constantly facing Earth—only China has successfully landed spacecraft on the far side. This makes the astronauts' observations of the lunar far side particularly valuable for scientific research.
Return and Recovery Operations
Following the tradition established during the Apollo missions, Artemis II will conclude with a splashdown homecoming in the Pacific Ocean. All attention will focus on Orion's heat shield as the capsule re-enters Earth's atmosphere. This component suffered significant damage during the 2022 test flight, with charred chunks gouged out during reentry.
While the heat shield is being redesigned for future capsules, Artemis II will use the original design. NASA plans to limit heat exposure during reentry by shortening the capsule's atmospheric descent. Navy recovery ships will be stationed off the coast of San Diego, ready to retrieve the Orion capsule as it parachutes into the ocean, completing this historic mission.
