NASA is poised to embark on a historic Artemis II spaceflight, marking a significant step forward in lunar exploration and paving the way for a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
The core stage of NASA‘s Space Launch System (SLS) is now integrated with the rocket’s twin solid-fueled boosters. ‘This milestone marks a significant step forward for the Artemis II mission, which aims to ferry a crew of astronauts around the far side of the Moon.’
The Artemis II mission is a pivotal step towards NASA's goal of returning humans to the lunar surface by 2024.
Scheduled for launch in 2023, the mission will send an uncrewed spacecraft on a lunar flyby, testing critical systems and technologies that will be used for future crewed missions.
The Orion spacecraft will travel over 280,000 miles to within 2,500 miles of the Moon's surface, providing valuable data on its performance in deep space.
This mission marks a significant milestone in NASA's Artemis program, paving the way for the first woman and the next man to walk on the lunar surface.
The SLS Core Stage: A Massive Structure
The SLS core stage weighs approximately 94 tons and measures about 212 feet tall. It will contain ‘730,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant at liftoff’ and is the single largest element for the Artemis II mission. The Boeing-built core stage has arrived from its factory in Louisiana and has been stacked with the SLS solid rocket boosters inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center.
Orion Spacecraft: A Critical Component
The Orion spacecraft, which will carry the four-person crew on their 10-day journey through deep space, is currently undergoing final preparations. The spacecraft’s solar panels have been installed, and aerodynamic panels that will jettison during launch are being closed out at Kennedy Space Center.
The Orion spacecraft is a NASA-designed crew vehicle for deep space missions.
It is being developed to take humans beyond low-Earth orbit and explore the solar system.
The Orion spacecraft has undergone several tests, including an uncrewed flight in 2014.
Orion's design features include a spacious cabin, advanced life support systems, and a heat shield to protect against atmospheric re-entry.
With its reliable propulsion system and robust communication equipment, Orion is poised to play a crucial role in future human spaceflight endeavors.
A Delayed but Not Cancelled Mission
Despite some concerns about NASA‘s target launch date for Artemis II in April 2026, which is already running years behind schedule, the mission appears to be on track. The slow march toward launch continues, with technicians working tirelessly to complete the final preparations.
Options for SLS and Orion
There are several options being considered for the long-term future of SLS and Orion. Canceling the development of a larger Exploration Upper Stage for the SLS rocket could be an option, as there are commercial alternatives available to replace it. Another possibility is setting a transition point when the Artemis program would move off of the Space Launch System rocket and switch to new vehicles.
The Space Launch System (SLS) is a heavy-lift rocket currently under development by NASA.
It will be used to send the 'Orion spacecraft' on deep space missions, including to the Moon and beyond.
The SLS is designed to carry crew and cargo more efficiently than any other launch vehicle in operation today.
With its powerful engines and advanced technology, the SLS will enable humans to explore destinations farther from Earth than ever before.
NASA plans to use the SLS for the first time on the Artemis mission in 2024, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2025.
A New Era for Lunar Exploration
The Artemis II mission marks a significant step forward for NASA‘s lunar exploration program. With the successful completion of this mission, the agency will be one step closer to landing astronauts on the lunar south pole and building a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The long-term goal is to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, with an eye toward future expeditions to Mars.
The Orion spacecraft will travel to a different facility at Kennedy for fueling, then to another building to meet its Launch Abort System before moving to the VAB for stacking atop the Space Launch System. Ahead of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022, it took around eight months to complete these activities before delivering Orion to the VAB.
The fate of SLS and Orion will be decided by the Trump administration‘s nominee for NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman, after confirmation by the Senate. A decision on the long-term future of SLS and Orion is expected in the 2030s.
For now, it looks like NASA‘s orange behemoth has a little life left in it. The hardware for the Artemis II mission has arrived at the launch site in Florida, and the agency will continue to work towards completing this critical mission.
