For the first time in more than half a century, humans are preparing to head toward the moon.
Die NASA-Mission Artemis IIscheduled to launch on February 6th this year, will send four astronauts on a daring orbit of the moon. When they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they reach a record speed of around 25,000 miles per hour (40,000 km/h).
One Mondlanding is not planned. The mission is nevertheless a key component in the US plan to permanently station people beyond low Earth orbit.
Here are the most important facts about Artemis II – and why it’s worth taking a look at the start.
What is Artemis II?
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Artemis II is the second mission in NASA’s Artemis program, which launched in 2017 to return people to the moon and later send astronauts to Mars. The mission also provides important data for future lunar flights.
It follows Artemis I, an unmanned test flight that successfully orbited the moon in late 2022.
In Artemis II, the crew flies in the new one Orion spacecraftlaunched on the Space Launch System (SLS) carrier rocket.
For the first time ever, people are getting into both systems. And no crew has traveled this close to the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Why doesn’t the mission land on the moon?
Unlike the later Artemis flights, Artemis II does not provide for a landing. The crew circles the moon, flies over its far side and then returns to Earth.
The mission tests all systems throughout – the technology that will later be needed for landings.
With Artemis II, NASA wants to prove that the spacecraft, rocket and life support are safe and reliable enough to carry people to the deep space bring to.
Artemis II commemorates Apollo 8, the 1968 mission that took astronauts around the moon without landing for the first time.
Why is this mission important?
Compared to a landing, Artemis II appears modest. The flight is still very important politically and strategically.
Sending people beyond low Earth orbit requires long-term funding, reliable technology and continued political backing.
Manned flights send a different signal than robotic missions. They give international partners and companies confidence to align their own plans with NASA’s schedule.
“This is a huge milestone for NASA and the Artemis program. For the first time, a crew will see the far side of the moon with their own eyes – an important step towards getting humans back on the lunar surface,” said John Pernet-Fisher, research fellow at the University of Manchester.
“It’s also exciting because it’s a huge technological success. The new big rocket and the spacecraft they’re in – and when they re-enter, they’ll be the fastest people ever. We’re expecting around 25,000 miles per hour,” Pernet-Fisher continued.
Who is on board?
The Artemis II crew consists of four astronauts: the Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and the Canadian Jeremy Hansen.
Canada’s participation underlines the international nature of the Artemis program. More than sixty countries have signed the Artemis Accords.
What do the astronauts do during the mission?
Shortly after launch, the crew tests Orion’s core life support systems – air, water and safety technology.
There is also a premiere in the toilet system for deep space – a significant advance compared to the Apollo era, when the crews had to rely on so-called “relief tubes”.
“SLS and the Orion module that will sit on top are essentially the next generation of rocket technology,” Pernet-Fisher said.
“Back then, the Saturn V carried the Apollo module. Today, the SLS and Orion are the modern equivalents. The SLS, the Space Launch System, is designed to be so large that it will probably be able to fly even further in the future.”
If NASA stays on this course, missions to Mars are easily conceivable. Also flights deeper into space – the SLS is considered strong enough to even reach Jupiter.
How long does the mission last?
Probably ten days – from start to splashdown.
What comes after Artemis II?
If successful, it will pave the way for Artemis III and other missions designed to establish a human presence on and around the moon – including the Space Station Lunar Gateway.
From Europe
The Orion spacecraft uses the German-made European Service Module for air, water and propulsion. The cylindrical section supplies electricity, water, oxygen and nitrogen, keeping the spacecraft at the right temperature and on course.
