Jump to content

Artemis II

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Artemis 2)

Artemis II
Names
  • Artemis 2
  • Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2)
Mission typeCrewed lunar flyby
OperatorNASA
Mission duration10 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftOrion CM-003
Crew
Crew size4
Members
Start of mission
Launch dateSeptember 2025 (planned)[1]
RocketSpace Launch System Block 1
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39B[2]
End of mission
Recovered byU.S. Navy (San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock)
Landing sitePacific Ocean (planned)
Flyby of Moon
Distance6,400 mi (10,300 km) (planned)[3]

Official crew portrait, clockwise from left: Koch, Glover, Hansen and Wiseman

Artemis II is a scheduled mission of the NASA-led Artemis program. It will use the second launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and include the first crewed mission of the Orion spacecraft. The mission is scheduled for no earlier than September 2025.[1] Four astronauts will perform a flyby of the Moon and return to Earth, becoming the first crew to travel beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II will be the first crewed launch from Launch Complex 39B of the Kennedy Space Center since STS-116 in 2006.

The launch was originally designated Exploration Mission-2 (EM-2) when the mission was intended to collect samples from a captured asteroid in lunar orbit by the now-cancelled robotic Asteroid Redirect Mission;[4] it was renamed after the introduction of the Artemis program.

History

[edit]

Mission planning and launcher selection (2017–2021)

[edit]

In 2017, Exploration Mission-2 was a projected single-launch mission of a Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B rocket with an Exploration Upper Stage, lunar Block 1 Orion spacecraft, and a payload insertion of 50.7 tonnes (55.9 short tons; 112,000 lb). The plan was to rendezvous with an asteroid previously placed in lunar orbit by the robotic Asteroid Redirect Mission and have astronauts perform space-walks and gather samples.[5] After the cancellation in April 2017[6] of the Asteroid Redirect Mission, an 8-day mission was proposed with a crew of four astronauts, sent on a free-return trajectory around the Moon.[7] Another proposal suggested in 2017 was to take four astronauts aboard Orion on an 8-to-21–day trip around the Moon to deliver the first element of the Deep Space Gateway.[8] In March 2018, it was decided to launch the first Gateway module on a commercial launch vehicle[9] because of delays in building the Mobile Launcher needed to hold the more powerful Exploration Upper Stage.[10] The launcher was selected to be the SpaceX Falcon Heavy.[11]

MPCV Stage Adapter for CubeSat spring-loaded dispensers

NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) sought proposals in 2019 from U.S. institutions and U.S. companies to fly their CubeSat missions as secondary payloads aboard the SLS on the Artemis II mission.[12][13] NASA would accept proposals for both 6-unit (12 kg, 26 lb) and 12-unit (20 kg, 44 lb) CubeSats.[14] As with the Artemis I mission, the CubeSats flying on Artemis II were to be mounted on the inside of the stage adapter ring between the SLS upper stage and the Orion spacecraft, and will be deployed after Orion separates.[14] Selections were initially planned to be made by February 2020,[12] but in October 2021, NASA dropped all secondary payloads from the mission.[15]

Hardware development, testing and integration (2021–present)

[edit]
Artist's rendition of the Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit

On February 11, 2023, NASA flipped the engine section for the Artemis II core to horizontal, the final major milestone before mating the section to the rest of the vehicle. On March 20, the engine section was mated with the Artemis II core stage in Building 103 at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. NASA expected the core stage, complete with engines, to be delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in summer 2023.[16] In May, the delivery date was moved to late fall 2023.[17][18] The RS-25 engines with serial numbers E2047, E2059, E2062, and E2063 were installed on the core stage in New Orleans by September 25, 2023.[19][20] Finally in June 2024, NASA announced the planned delivery of the fully outfitted core stage to KSC in July 2024, which was successfully carried out from the 16th to the 25th.[21][22][23] The adapters needed for integration of the full vehicle also reached substantial completion in June 2024, and arrived at Kennedy Space Center in September 2024.[24][25]

The Artemis 2 Space Launch System core stage being loaded into the Pegasus barge at Michoud Assembly Facility, July 16, 2024

The crew was announced on April 3, 2023, as stated by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, in his "State of NASA" speech reacting to President Joe Biden's FY2024 budget proposal.[26] The announcement occurred at a NASA facility at Ellington Field outside Houston.[27] They appeared later that day at nearby NRG Stadium for the 2023 March Madness championship game.[28]

NASA had expected rocket stacking operations to begin in September 2024, but as of October, no work had begun as the agency continued to investigate the considerable damage to the ablative heat shield seen during the Artemis I reentry.[29]

Launch date

[edit]

During preliminary reviews in 2011, the launch date was placed somewhere between 2019 and 2021, but afterwards the launch date was delayed to 2023.[30][31] As of September 2024, the mission is expected to launch no earlier than September 2025.[1] However, in October 2024, the NASA Office of Inspector General determined that the Exploration Ground Systems team had already used up their time reserved for resolving any unforeseen issues, leading the office to determine that the September 2025 launch date will likely be delayed.[29]

Crew

[edit]
The prime crew of Artemis II during a dress rehearsal in September 2023
Prime crew
Position Astronaut
Commander United States Reid Wiseman, NASA
Second spaceflight
Pilot United States Victor Glover, NASA
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist United States Christina Koch, NASA
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist Canada Jeremy Hansen, CSA
First spaceflight
Backup crew
Position Astronaut
Commander / Pilot / Mission Specialist United States Andre Douglas, NASA
First spaceflight
Mission Specialist Canada Jenni Gibbons, CSA
First spaceflight

Artemis II is to be crewed by four astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor J. Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.[32] On November 22, 2023, Jenni Gibbons was announced to be Hansen's backup; she will join the mission if Hansen is unable to.[33][34] On July 3, 2024, Andre Douglas was announced to be the backup for the three NASA astronauts.[35][36]

Glover, Koch, and Hansen are to be the first person of color, woman, and non-American to go beyond low Earth orbit respectively.[32] Hansen and Gibbons are Canadian and have been assigned by the Canadian Space Agency;[32] a 2020 treaty between the United States and Canada led to their involvement.[37]

Mission

[edit]
Orion spacecraft outfitted interior, 2021

The Artemis II mission plan is to send four astronauts in the first crewed Orion MPCV spacecraft into a lunar flyby for a maximum of 21 days using the Block 1 variant of the Space Launch System. The mission profile is a multi-trans-lunar injection (MTLI), or multiple departure burns, and includes a free-return trajectory from the Moon. The Orion spacecraft will be sent to a high Earth orbit with a period of roughly 24 hours. During this time the crew will perform various checkouts of the spacecraft's life support systems as well as an in-space rendezvous and proximity operations demonstration using the spent Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) as a target. When Orion reaches perigee once again, it will fire its main engine to complete the TLI maneuver, which will send it to a lunar free-return trajectory, before returning to Earth.[3][38]

Optical communications

[edit]
O2O optical communications modules on the Orion spacecraft

Artemis II will test and demonstrate optical communications to and from Earth using the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O).[39] The O2O hardware will be integrated into the Orion spacecraft and includes an optical module (a 4-inch [100 mm] telescope and two gimbals), modem and control electronics.[39] O2O will communicate with ground stations in California and New Mexico.[39] The test device will send data to Earth with a downlink rate of up to 260 megabits per second.[40]

Trajectory overview

[edit]

Artemis II's trajectory can be divided into several key phases:[41]

Launch

[edit]
  • Vehicle: Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1
  • Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39B
  • Duration: Approximately 8 minutes to reach initial orbit
  • Trajectory: The SLS will launch Orion into a low Earth orbit (LEO) for a very short period of time, then fire again to place Orion in a highly-eccentric orbit with a period of about 24 hours.

Earth orbit and systems checkout

[edit]
  • Orbit: Highly-eccentric orbit with an apogee above that of typical communications satellites
  • Duration: About 24 hours
  • Activities: The crew will perform checks on the Orion spacecraft’s systems, ensuring all are functioning correctly before proceeding with the mission. They will also demonstrate proximity operations with the upper stage of their launch vehicle.

Translunar injection

[edit]
  • Maneuver: After the systems checkout, the Orion spacecraft will perform a TLI burn using its Service Module, propelling it out of Earth orbit towards the Moon.
  • Trajectory: A precise burn to place Orion on a trajectory that will take it around the Moon.

Lunar flyby

[edit]
  • Altitude: Closest approach approximately 7,400 kilometers (4,600 mi) from the lunar surface.
  • Duration: Several days to travel to the Moon, fly around it, and begin the return trip.
  • Activities: The crew will continue to monitor and test Orion’s systems and gather data on deep space travel effects.

Return trajectory

[edit]
  • Maneuver: After the lunar flyby, Orion will use the Moon’s gravity to assist in its return to Earth, a maneuver known as a free-return trajectory.
  • Trajectory: A path that will naturally bring Orion back to Earth without the need for additional propulsion if systems fail.

Re-entry and splashdown

[edit]
  • Re-entry Phase: Orion will re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
  • Splashdown: In the Pacific Ocean, recovery teams will retrieve the spacecraft and crew.
  • Duration: The entire mission is expected to last about 10 days.

Similar missions

[edit]

In December 1968, the Apollo 8 mission, crewed by astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders, flew their command and service module beyond low Earth orbit and completed ten orbits of the Moon. Similar to the planned Artemis II mission in that it was crewed and did not land, it differed by being placed into orbit.[42] Apollo 13 (1970) was the only Apollo mission, and only crewed spaceflight to date, that flew past the Moon by a free-return trajectory.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Foust, Jeff (9 January 2024). "NASA delays Artemis 2 and 3 missions". SpaceNews. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  2. ^ Hill, Bill (March 2012). "Exploration Systems Development Status" (PDF). NASA Advisory Council. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2012. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b Hambleton, Kathryn (27 August 2018). "First Flight With Crew Important Step on Long-Term Return to Moon". NASA. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  4. ^ Foust, Jeff (25 March 2015). "NASA Selects Boulder Option for Asteroid Redirect Mission". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  5. ^ Wall, Mike (10 April 2013). "Inside NASA's Plan to Catch an Asteroid (Bruce Willis Not Required)". Space.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  6. ^ Foust, Jeff (14 June 2017). "NASA closing out Asteroid Redirect Mission". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  7. ^ Hambleton, Kathryn (4 August 2017). "NASA's First Flight With Crew Will Mark Important Step on Journey to Mars". NASA. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2017. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  8. ^ Gebhardt, Chris (6 April 2017). "NASA finally sets goals, missions for SLS – eyes multi-step plan to Mars". NASASpaceflight.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  9. ^ "NASA FY 2019 Budget Overview" (PDF). NASA. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 December 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2021. Supports launch of the Power and Propulsion Element on a commercial launch vehicle as the first component of the LOP – Gateway Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ^ Berger, Eric (13 April 2018). "NASA may fly crew into deep space sooner, but there's a price". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2023. Without the Exploration Upper Stage, NASA will not be able to fly, in a single flight, crew members and pieces of a deep space gateway it hopes to build near the Moon in the 2020s
  11. ^ Foust, Jeff (10 February 2021). "NASA selects Falcon Heavy to launch first Gateway elements". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  12. ^ a b Hill, Denise (6 August 2019). "NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative Opens Call for Payloads on Artemis 2 Mission". NASA. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019. NASA is seeking proposals from U.S. small satellite developers to fly their CubeSat missions as secondary payloads aboard the SLS on the Artemis 2 mission under the agency's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ Klotz, Irene (5 August 2019). "NASA Scouting Cubesats For Artemis-2 Mission". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019. NASA on August 5 released a solicitation for cubesats to ride along with the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, with the caveat that selected projects fill strategic knowledge gaps for future lunar and Mars exploration
  14. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (8 August 2019). "NASA seeking proposals for cubesats on second SLS launch". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  15. ^ Kurkowski, Seth (21 October 2021). "Alabama students forced to pivot satellite design after being dropped from Artemis II". Space Explored. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  16. ^ Richardson, Derek (23 March 2023). "Artemis 2 Space Launch System core stage nearly complete". SpaceFlight Insider. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  17. ^ Clark, Stephen (29 September 2023). "Rocket Report: Iran launches satellite; Artemis II boosters get train ride". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  18. ^ Sloss, Philip (2 May 2023). "Artemis II Moon mission transitioning from planning to preparation". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  19. ^ Mohon, Lee; O'Brien, Kevin (27 October 2022). "Space Launch System Engines: Launching Artemis Astronauts to the Moon". NASA. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  20. ^ Mohon, Lee (25 September 2023). "All Engines Added to NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Core Stage – Artemis". NASA Blogs. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  21. ^ "NASA Invites Media to Rollout Event for Artemis II Moon Rocket Stage - NASA". Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Artemis II Core Stage on the Move". NASA. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Core Stage for NASA's Artemis II Mission Arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building". YouTube. Boeing. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Six Adapters for Crewed Artemis Flights Tested, Built at NASA Marshall - NASA". 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  25. ^ Elizabeth Howell (2 September 2024). "The pieces of NASA's next 3 Artemis moon missions head to Florida launch site (photos)". Space.com. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  26. ^ Foust, Jeff (9 March 2023). "White House proposes $27.2 billion for NASA in 2024". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  27. ^ Pearlman, Robert Z. (3 April 2023). "NASA Announces the Astronaut Crew for Artemis II Lunar Flyby". Scientific American. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  28. ^ Koch, Christina (11 April 2023). "You stood. All of you. You stood for taking on the challenge. For doing things that are hard. For exploring together. Of all the things we did last week to introduce Artemis II, this unexpected standing ovation was the moment I realized—You're all behind this. We are going". Twitter. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  29. ^ a b Berger, Eric (17 October 2024). "It's increasingly unlikely that humans will fly around the Moon next year". Ars Technica. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  30. ^ Hambleton, Kathryn (8 March 2019). "NASA's Deep Space Exploration System is Coming Together". NASA. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  31. ^ Sloss, Philip (28 December 2018). "Crewed Orion spacecraft passes critical design review". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  32. ^ a b c
  33. ^ "Canadian Space Agency astronauts Jenni Gibbons and Joshua Kutryk to contribute to future missions, from the International Space Station to the Moon". Cision. Longueuil, Quebec. CNW Group. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  34. ^ Nassar, Hana Mae (22 November 2023). "Canadian astronauts receive new assignments". CityNews. Vancouver. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  35. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (3 July 2024). "NASA announces Artemis 2 moon mission backup astronaut — Andre Douglas will support 2025 lunar liftoff". Space.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  36. ^ "NASA Announces its Artemis II Backup Crew Member for Moon Mission - NASA". Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  37. ^ Connolly, Amanda (16 December 2020). "A Canadian astronaut will be on NASA's Artemis deep space lunar orbit as well the first non American to leave earth orbit". Global News. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  38. ^ Sloss, Philip (25 June 2020). "NASA studying practice rendezvous options for Artemis 2 Orion". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  39. ^ a b c Murphy, Kendall (3 June 2021). "Lasers Light the Way for Artemis II Moon Mission". Exploration and Space Communications. NASA. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  40. ^ Schauer, Katherine (11 August 2022). "What's Next: The Future of NASA's Laser Communications". NASA. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023.
  41. ^ "Artemis II". www.esa.int. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  42. ^ Wood, Charlie (25 February 2017). "Apollo 8 redux: Why NASA may send humans around the Moon, again". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
[edit]