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.
Author: Rachel Kraft
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
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.
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:
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- 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.
Artemis I Liftoff
NASA’s Space Launch System rocket, carrying the uncrewed Orion spacecraft lifted off from Launch Complex 39B in Florida at 1:47 a.m. EST.
The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.
Below are the ascent milestones that will occur over the next two hours. Times may vary by several seconds.
- Solid rocket booster separation (Mission Elapsed Time 00:02:12)
- Service module fairing jettison (MET 00:03:11)
- Launch abort system jettison (MET 00:03:16)
- Core stage main engine cutoff commanded (MET 00:08:03)
- Core stage/ICPS separation (MET 00:08:15)
- Orion solar array wing deploy begins (MET 00:18:09) – approx. 12 min duration
- Perigee raise maneuver (MET 00:52:56)
- Trans-lunar injection (MET 01:29:27)
- Orion/ICPS separation (MET 01:57:36)