Artemis II: Preparing for a Historic Manned Mission (Part 2 of 5)
Artemis II Overview
Artemis II stands as the program’s first crewed mission, an endeavor that promises to take astronauts on a voyage around the Moon, further than any human has traveled before. The objective on this mission is not to land any astronauts on the moon. Instead it is to gather data, test equipment and voyage beyond the furthest manned voyage.
Scheduled tentatively for late 2025, this mission represents a pivotal moment in space exploration, setting the stage for the next giant leaps on the lunar surface and beyond.
The Power of the Space Launch System (SLS)
At the heart of Artemis II is the Space Launch System (SLS), a marvel of engineering and the most powerful rocket ever designed. Towering taller than the Statue of Liberty and boasting a thrust capable of outmatching the legendary Saturn V, the SLS is the backbone of NASA’s deep space exploration efforts. Its design and capabilities are crucial for carrying the Orion spacecraft and its crew beyond Earth’s orbit, further into space then ever.
Meet the Artemis II Crew
Christina Koch: Mission Specialist, known for her record-breaking stay aboard the International Space Station.
Jeremy Hansen: Mission Specialist, bringing a wealth of experience from the Canadian Space Agency.
Reid Wiseman: Commander, a seasoned astronaut with prior ISS experience.
Victor Glover: Pilot, who has spent time aboard the ISS and brings a fresh perspective to lunar exploration.
This team is set to embark on a mission that will lay the groundwork for future lunar landings and eventually, human exploration of Mars.
In the next part of our series, we’ll explore Artemis III, the mission poised to return humans to the lunar surface and introduce the innovative Human Landing System (HLS) that will make it possible.