Rachel Kraft – Artemis

NASA to Fly International CubeSats Aboard Artemis II Test Flight

NASA is working to fly five CubeSats from international space agencies on the Artemis II test flight, the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis campaign.

In a ceremony at the German Space Agency DLR Sept. 18, Catherine Koerner, NASA’s associate administrator for exploration systems development, signed an agreement for Germany to fly TACHELES, a CubeSat that will collect measurements on the effects of the space environment on electrical components to inform technologies for lunar vehicles.

CubeSats are shoebox-sized payloads that have the potential to expand knowledge of the space environment. They will ride to space inside a ring that connects NASA’s Orion spacecraft to the upper stage of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. They will be deployed in high Earth orbit after the upper stage detaches from Orion and the spacecraft is safely flying free on its own and a safe distance away from the stage.

By working with other countries to fly CubeSats, NASA is increasing access to space for the international community and enabling its partners to expand scientific and technological knowledge. Although mission success for CubeSats historically has mixed results given their small size and the relatively low cost to develop them, the collaborations provide opportunities for NASA and other countries to work together to integrate and fly technology and experiments as part of Artemis.

NASA will share more details about the additional countries it is working with to fly CubeSats on Artemis II, all of which are countries that have signed the Artemis Accords, as the international agreements are put in place.

NASA Names Astronauts to Next Moon Mission, First Crew Under Artemis

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence at the Moon for science and exploration through Artemis.

Artemis II Moon Astronauts to be Named April 3

NASA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) will announce during an event at 11 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 3, from NASA Johnson Space Center’s Ellington Field in Houston, the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II. Traveling aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft and launching on the Space Launch System rocket, the mission is the first crewed flight test on the agency’s path to establishing a long-term scientific and human presence on the lunar surface. The event will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website.

Watch the video in Spanish.

Data from SLS Flight Prepares NASA for Future Artemis Missions

The Space Launch System rocket with Orion atop lights up the night sky during launch, with smoke billowing beyond the launch pad. — NASA’s Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA continues to evaluate data and learn more about the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s debut performance during the agency’s Nov. 16 Artemis I launch. Following an initial data assessment and review that determined the SLS rocket met or exceeded all performance expectations, SLS engineers are now taking a closer look at the Moon rocket’s performance to prepare for the first crewed Artemis missions.

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Orion on Its Way to the Moon

The interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) completed its approximately 18-minute trans-lunar injection (TLI) burn and the spacecraft has separated from the stage. Orion fired its auxiliary thrusters to move a safe distance away from the expended stage and the spacecraft is on its way to the Moon.

NASA will hold a postlaunch news conference at 5 a.m. EST today from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Participants are:

- Bill Nelson, NASA administrator
- Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters
- Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems Program manager, Kennedy
- John Honeycutt, Space Launch System Program manager, Marshall
- Howard Hu, Orion Program manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
- Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson

Perigee Raise Maneuver Complete

The perigee raise maneuver has been successfully completed. The interim cryogenic propulsion stage fired for just over 20 seconds to raise the lowest point of Orion’s Earth orbit in preparation for the critical trans-lunar injection burn that will send Orion to the Moon. The trans-lunar injection burn is currently targeted for about 3:14 a.m. EST and will last about 18 minutes.

Orion solar array deploy complete

Orion’s solar arrays have completed their deployment. The arrays are drawing power, and early data suggests good performance. The next milestone will be a perigee raise maneuver targeted for approximately 2:41 a.m. EST to raise Orion’s orbit in preparation for the critical trans-lunar injection that will send Orion to the Moon.

Core stage main engine cutoff, core stage separation complete

Space Launch System core stage main engine cutoff is complete, and the core stage has separated from the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and Orion spacecraft. The next milestone is deployment of Orion’s solar arrays, scheduled to begin approximately 18 minutes after launch.

Service module fairing jettison, launch abort system jettison complete

The service module fairing and launch abort system have successfully separated from the Orion spacecraft. The SLS core stage will continue to fire until about 8 minutes after launch.

Solid Rocket Booster separation complete

The Space Launch System’s (SLS) solid rocket boosters have successfully jettisoned. The SLS core stage will continue to fire until 8 minutes after launch. In about one minute, the service module fairing and launch abort system will separate from the Orion spacecraft.