NASA’s human exploration goals have changed with the upcoming Artemis II mission! The mission will be the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS), and of NASA’s new Orion spacecraft. This bold endeavor aims both to test and validate systems for future human landings on the Lunar surface. We’ve not reached that pinnacle since the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s.
Scheduled to launch in early February 2024, Artemis II is planned to be a roughly ten-day mission. For most of this decade, astronauts will go farther into deep space than any human has gone before. The mission will include a lunar flyby. This will allow the crew to experience the grandeur of space and conduct important evaluation tests on the Orion spacecraft’s systems.
Our crew members will spend up to three weeks in roughly the same living space as a small bathroom inside the Orion crew module. And they’ll help to design manual flying practices, simulating them while on Earth first. This practice will prepare them to guide and orient the spacecraft on future lunar landings. This kind of hands-on experience is critical to making sure that the crew is thoroughly prepared for more complex missions down the road.
As of now, Artemis II is projected to launch on any of the following possible dates: These are February 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11, and March 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11. Plus, April provides even more chances on the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th! The earliest potential launch date would be Friday, February 6.
Just like astronauts returning down to Earth, they are in for a rough ride as they enter the dense atmosphere. Soon after, they will land under parachutes in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the United States. NASA’s largely uncrewed re-entry is intended to serve as the first comprehensive test of many systems and a demonstration of a safe crewed landing.
To get ready for Artemis II, NASA will hold a wet dress rehearsal at the end of this month. This prelaunch test will involve fueling the rocket and simulating countdown procedures to ensure everything is functioning correctly ahead of launch.
Artemis II must be a success, as it is the stepping stone for all future missions that will help humanity return to the Moon. With Artemis IV and V being the first to work on building Gateway in earnest. This modular space station will orbit the Moon and provide a launching point for future deep lunar explorations.
