posted 05-01-2025 04:36 PM               

Lockheed Martin Completes Orion Development for Artemis II Mission to the Moon

Upgraded Spacecraft Delivered, Preparations for 2026 Launch Underway

Lockheed Martin has completed assembly and testing of NASA's Orion Artemis II spacecraft, transferring possession to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team today.

This milestone is a significant step for NASA and the Artemis industry team, as they prepare to launch a crew of four astronauts to further the agency's mission in establishing a human presence on the Moon for exploration and scientific discovery. It will also help build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

Above: The finished Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission was officially handed over to NASA for launch processing for crewed mission to the Moon early next year.

Orion is the most advanced, human-rated, deep space spacecraft ever developed. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor to NASA for Orion and built the crew module, crew module adaptor and launch abort system.

"This achievement is a testament to our employees and suppliers who have worked tirelessly to get us to this important milestone," said Kirk Shireman, vice president of Human Space Exploration and Orion program manager at Lockheed Martin. "The Orion spacecraft completion for Artemis II is a major step forward in our nation's efforts to develop a long-term lunar presence. It's exciting to think that soon, humans will see the Earth rise over the lunar horizon from our vehicle, while also traveling farther from Earth than ever before."

Upgraded for Crew Onboard

The uncrewed EFT-1 and Artemis I test flights were the first steps in validating the spacecraft's core systems. Artemis II will put Orion through its final tests in deep space with a crew on board and will include learnings and significant enhancements gleaned from the Artemis I mission.

To support the health and safety of the crew, new systems have been added, which include life support – air, water, thermal control, waste management – displays and controls, audio communications, an exercise machine and a fully functional Launch Abort System. Additionally, the vehicle is outfitted with a subset of docking sensors and an experimental laser communication system, enabling high data-rate communications and paving the way for future missions.

Path to Launch

With the completion of Orion, the EGS team will perform final preparations on the spacecraft, readying it for launch. Orion will soon be moved from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to various processing facilities. This is where EGS will load propellants and other consumables, such as water and oxygen, and install the launch abort system and its protective fairings. Upon completion, it will then be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building, lifted onto the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and undergo final preparations for launch.

Historic Artemis Flight

Scheduled to launch in early 2026, Artemis II and the Orion spacecraft will host NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their 10-day journey will include flying 4,600 miles beyond the Moon and back to Earth.

During the mission, the crew will evaluate the spacecraft's performance, test its navigation and communication systems, and conduct a series of scientific experiments. They will perform a rendezvous operation with the SLS upper stage, practicing docking activities needed for future missions including Artemis III – which will mark the first human lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.

With work on Orion for Artemis II completed, Lockheed Martin continues to develop and assemble Orion spacecraft for future Artemis missions. Artemis III and IV vehicles are in the Operations and Checkout Building, while the pressure vessel is being welded at NASA's Michoud Facility in New Orleans. Lockheed Martin is on contract to develop Orion spacecraft up to Artemis VIII and has decreased cost with each vehicle.

posted 08-04-2025 04:02 PM               

NASA’s Artemis Crew Trains in Moonbound Orion Ahead of Mission

The first crew slated to fly in NASA’s Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission around the Moon early next year entered their spacecraft for a multi-day training at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Crew donned their spacesuits July 31 and boarded Orion to train and experience some of the conditions they can expect on their mission.

Above: The Artemis II crew (from left to right) CSA (Canadian Space Agency) Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist; Christina Koch, mission specialist; Victor Glover, pilot; and Reid Wiseman, commander, don their Orion Crew Survival System Suits for a multi-day crew module training beginning Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Behind the crew, wearing clean room apparel, are members of the Artemis II closeout crew. (NASA/Rad Sinyak)

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen participated in a suited crew test and crew equipment interface test, performing launch day and simulated orbital activities inside Orion.

“In about six months, Artemis II astronauts will journey around the Moon for the first time in 53 years,” Duffy said. “America rallied behind Apollo because it represented the best of us – now it’s Artemis’ turn. They’re not just carrying a flag – they’re carrying the pride, power, and promise of the United States of America.”

With Orion powered on, the suited crew test was a close representation of what the crew can expect on launch day. The crew began the day by suiting up inside the spaceport’s Multi-Operation Support Building, donning their Orion crew survival system spacesuits, boarding the zero-emission crew transportation vehicles, and entering Orion, which is currently inside the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, where engineers have loaded its propellants over the course of several weeks.

Once in Orion, the crew performed several launch day activities, including communications checkouts and suit leak checks. For the first time, the crew was connected to the spacecraft and its communications and life control systems, and all umbilicals were connected while the spacecraft operated on full power.

Teams simulated several different ground and flight conditions to give the crew more experience managing them in real time. Some of the activities simulated scenarios where the crew was challenged to address potential issues while in space such as leaks and failure of the air revitalization system fan, which is needed to provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the cabin. Getting this hands-on experience and learning how to act fast to overcome potential challenges during flight helps ensure the crew is ready for any scenario.

The test provides astronauts the ability to train on the actual hardware they will use during flight, allowing them and support teams the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the equipment in configurations very close to what will be experienced during flight. It also allows teams to verify compatibility between the equipment and systems with flight controller procedures, so they can make any final adjustments ahead of launch.

“It signifies the immense amount of work that our operations and development teams put into making sure we are ready for launch.” Quinn said. “They have meticulously planned each operation, timing them to perfection – and now we put it to the test.”

Exchanging their spacesuits for cleanroom garments for the crew equipment interface test, and with the spacecraft powered off, the crew also performed many of the activities they are likely to do in flight and conducted additional equipment checks. The crew practiced removing and stowing the foot pans on the pilot and commander seats, which will allow them to have more open space in the cabin after launch. They also accessed the stowage lockers and familiarized themselves with cameras, associated cables and mounts, and the environmental control and life support system hardware.

In addition to getting practical experience with the actual hardware they’ll use in space, they also prepared for life in deep space, reviewing cabin labels, sleep arrangements and checklists, and the hygiene bay.

posted 08-11-2025 06:37 PM               

NASA's Artemis II Orion Spacecraft Moves Closer to Launch

NASA's Artemis II Orion spacecraft completed a short but important journey Aug. 10, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. With spacecraft fueling complete, technicians moved Orion to the next facility on its path to the launch pad.

Above: NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft arrives at the Launch Abort System Facility at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, to prepare for integration with its 44-foot-tall launch abort system. (NASA/Kim Shiflett)

Teams transported Orion from Kennedy's Multi-Payload Processing Facility (MPPF) where it has been loaded with propellants for flight, to the Launch Abort System Facility (LASF). There, engineers with NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Program will integrate the escape system atop the crew module.

Orion arrived to the MPPF in May, where technicians fueled and processed Orion, loading propellants, high pressure gases, coolant, and other fluids necessary for the spacecraft and crew to carry out their 10-day journey around the Moon and back. The Artemis II crew also took part in multiple days of tests inside Orion in the MPPF, donning their Orion Crew Survival System spacesuits and entering their spacecraft to test all the equipment interfaces they will operate during the mission.

Now inside the LASF, Orion will be integrated with its 44-foot-tall launch abort system, made up of two segments: the launch abort tower, including the abort, jettison, and attitude control motors; and the fairing assembly, including the ogive panels that protect the crew module and provide aerodynamic support during launch. The system is designed to carry the crew to safety in the event of an emergency atop the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Once integration is completed, the entire Orion stack will be transported to High Bay 3 in NASA Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building where it will be connected to its Moon rocket.

posted 09-24-2025 04:45 PM               

Introducing Integrity: Artemis II astronauts name their Orion ride to moon

The first astronauts set to fly to the moon in more than 50 years will do so in Integrity.

NASA's Artemis II crew revealed "Integrity" as the name of their Orion spacecraft during a news conference on Wednesday (Sept. 24) at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

posted 09-30-2025 06:20 PM               

NASA Draws Closer to Artemis II Rocket Completion with Newest Addition

NASA integrated the Artemis II Orion stage adapter with the rest of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket on Sept. 24 in the Vehicle Assembly Building at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Orion stage adapter connects the upper stage to the Orion spacecraft, isolates the spacecraft from hazardous gases, deploys small science satellites, and will be used in a maneuvering test during the Artemis II mission. (NASA)

Built by NASA engineers at the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the adapter connects the rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage to the Orion spacecraft. A composite diaphragm within the ring protects the Orion spacecraft from hazardous gases generated during launch.

Four CubeSats containing science and technology experiments will be deployed from the adapter into high Earth orbit after Orion is a safe distance away . The 12U CubeSats aboard Artemis II were developed by international partners South Korea, Germany, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. One “U”, or unit, is defined as 10 centimeters by 10 centimeters by 10 centimeters.

NASA will integrate the Orion spacecraft with the rocket in the coming weeks ahead of the mission, scheduled for no later than April 2026. Testing and simulations in preparation for the upcoming launch taking place no later than April 2026.

As the Artemis II rocket is nearing completion at NASA Kennedy, work continues on flight hardware for Artemis III. NASA Marshall engineers have flipped the Artemis III Orion stage adapter to begin bracket, avionics, and cable instillation. Later this fall, its diaphragm will be installed.

posted 10-19-2025 10:33 AM               

Last stop before launch pad: Orion arrives at VAB

The Artemis II Orion ("Integrity") on Thursday (Oct. 16) was rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center in preparation for its stacking atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

"This step brings Artemis II closer to its historic launch in 2026, paving the way for America's return to the Moon!" said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy.

The spacecraft had previously been in the Launch Abort System Facility, where it was fitted with its escape tower and ogive panels.

Once mated with the SLS, the launch vehicle will be complete. The next milestone will be a countdown rehearsal in the VAB with the Artemis II crew.

posted 10-21-2025 12:28 PM               

'Integrity' integrated atop SLS rocket

The Artemis II Orion "Integrity" has been mounted atop its launch vehicle, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

"The last major hardware component before Artemis II launches early next year has been installed," said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. "'Integrity' is our Orion spacecraft that will hold the Artemis II astronauts on their trip around the Moon. It's now fully attached to the Space Launch System and we are one step closer to mission launch!

The next major milestone will be a countdown rehearsal in the VAB with the Artemis II crew.

posted 12-20-2025 07:37 PM               

Artemis II crew rehearse launch day

The four astronauts set to fly around the Moon during NASA's Artemis II test flight depart the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during a dress rehearsal for launch day on Dec. 20, 2025. From left are CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Christina Koch.

The launch day rehearsal, called a countdown demonstration test, simulated the launch day timeline, including the crew suiting up in their spacesuits and climbing in and out of their Orion spacecraft. Because the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket upon which they will launch is not yet at the launch pad, the crew boarded Orion inside Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building, where engineers are conducting final preparations on the spacecraft, rocket, and ground systems.

Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

posted 01-09-2026 10:08 PM               

Final Steps Underway for NASA's First Crewed Artemis Moon Mission

As NASA moves closer to launch of the Artemis II test flight, the agency soon will roll its SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad for the first time at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin final integration, testing, and launch rehearsals.

NASA is targeting no earlier than Saturday, Jan. 17, to begin the multi-hour trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B. The four-mile journey on the crawler-transporter-2 will take up to 12 hours. Teams are working around the clock to close out all tasks ahead of rollout. However, this target date is subject to change if additional time is needed for technical preparations or weather.

"We are moving closer to Artemis II, with rollout just around the corner," said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. "We have important steps remaining on our path to launch and crew safety will remain our top priority at every turn, as we near humanity's return to the Moon."

As with all new developments of complex systems, engineers have been troubleshooting several items in recent days and weeks. During final checkouts before rollout, technicians found a cable involved in the flight termination system was bent out of specifications. Teams are replacing it and will test the new cable over the weekend. Additionally, a valve associated with Orion's hatch pressurization exhibited issues leading up to a Dec. 20 countdown demonstration test. On Jan. 5, the team successfully replaced and tested it. Engineers also worked to resolve leaky ground support hardware required to load gaseous oxygen into Orion for breathing air.

Rollout

Once the integrated rocket and spacecraft reach the launch pad, NASA will immediately begin a long checklist of launch pad preparations, including connecting ground support equipment such as electrical lines, fuel environmental control system ducts, and cryogenic propellant feeds. Teams will power up all integrated systems at the pad for the first time to ensure flight hardware components are functioning properly with each other, the mobile launcher, and ground infrastructure systems.

Once complete, the Artemis II astronauts, NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will conduct a final walkdown at the pad.

Wet dress rehearsal, tanking

At the end of January, NASA will conduct a wet dress rehearsal, which is a prelaunch test to fuel the rocket. During wet dress, teams demonstrate the ability to load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the rocket, conduct a launch countdown, and practice safely removing propellant from the rocket without astronauts onsite.

During launch, a closeout crew will be responsible for securing astronauts in Orion and closing its hatches. The closeout crew also will use this rehearsal to practice their procedures safely without astronauts aboard the spacecraft.

The wet dress rehearsal will include several "runs" to demonstrate the launch team's ability to hold, resume, and recycle to several different times in the final 10 minutes of the countdown, known as terminal count.

The first run will begin approximately 49 hours before launch when launch teams are called to their stations, to 1 minute 30 seconds before launch, followed by a planned three-minute hold and then countdown resumption to 33 seconds before launch – the point at which the rocket's automatic launch sequencer will control the final seconds of the countdown. Teams then will recycle back to T-10 minutes and hold, then resume down to 30 seconds before launch as part of a second run.

While NASA has integrated lessons learned from Artemis I into the launch countdown procedures, the agency will pause to address any issues during the test or at any other point should technical challenges arise. Engineers will have a close eye on propellant loading of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket, after challenges encountered with liquid hydrogen loading during Artemis I wet dress rehearsals. Teams also will pay close attention to the effectiveness of recently updated procedures to limit how much gaseous nitrogen accumulates in the space between Orion's crew module and launch abort system hatches, which could pose an issue for the closeout crew.

Additional wet dress rehearsals may be required to ensure the vehicle is completely checked out and ready for flight.

If needed, NASA may rollback SLS and Orion to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional work ahead of launch after the wet dress rehearsal.

Next steps toward launch

Following a successful wet dress rehearsal, NASA will convene a flight readiness review where the mission management team will assess the readiness of all systems, including flight hardware, infrastructure, and launch, flight, and recovery teams before committing to a launch date.

While the Artemis II launch window opens as early as Friday, Feb. 6, the mission management team will assess flight readiness after the wet dress rehearsal across the spacecraft, launch infrastructure, and the crew and operations teams before selecting a launch date.

To determine potential launch dates, engineers identified key constraints required to accomplish the mission and keep the crew inside Orion safe. The resulting launch periods are the days or weeks where the spacecraft and rocket can meet mission objectives. These launch periods account for the complex orbital mechanics involved in launching on a precise trajectory toward the Moon while the Earth is rotating on its axis and the Moon is orbiting Earth each month in its lunar cycle. This results in a pattern of approximately one week of launch opportunities, followed by three weeks without launch opportunities.

There are several primary parameters that dictate launch availability within these periods. Because of its unique trajectory relative to subsequent lunar landing missions, these key constraints are unique to the Artemis II test flight.

• The launch day and time must allow SLS to be able to deliver Orion into a high Earth orbit where the crew and ground teams will evaluate the spacecraft's life support systems before the crew ventures to the Moon.

• Orion also must be in the proper alignment with the Earth and Moon at the time of the trans-lunar injection burn. The Artemis II trans-lunar injection burn places Orion on course to flyby the Moon, and also sets it on a free return trajectory, in which the spacecraft uses the Moon's gravity to send the spacecraft back to Earth without additional major propulsive maneuvers.

• The trajectory for a given day must ensure Orion is not in darkness for more than 90 minutes at a time so that the solar array wings can receive and convert sunlight to electricity, and the spacecraft can maintain an optimal temperature range. Mission planners eliminate potential launch dates that would send Orion into extended eclipses during the flight.

• The launch date must support a trajectory that allows for the proper entry profile planned during Orion's return to Earth.

The periods below show launch availability through April 2026. Mission planners refine the periods based on updated analysis approximately two months before they begin and are subject to change.

• Launch Period Jan. 31 – Feb. 14
  Launch opportunities February 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11

• Launch Period Feb. 28 – March 13
  Launch opportunities March 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

• Launch Period March 27 – April 10
  Launch opportunities April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

In addition to the launch opportunities based on orbital mechanics and performance requirements, there are also limitations on which days within a launch period can be viable based on commodity replenishment, weather, and other users on the Eastern Range schedule. As a general rule, up to four launch attempts may be attempted within the approximate week of opportunities that exist within a launch period.

As the agency prepares for its first crewed mission beyond Earth orbit in more than 50 years, NASA expects to learn along the way, both on the ground and in flight, and will let the readiness and performance of its systems dictate when the agency is ready to launch.

posted 01-17-2026 06:00 PM               

NASA rolls out Artemis II rocket to launch pad for astronauts' flight to the moon

NASA is now 4.2 miles (6.8 kilometers) closer to returning astronauts to the moon.

The agency on Saturday (Jan. 17) rolled out its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for the Artemis II mission to fly astronauts by the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The journey atop a slow-moving, Apollo-era crawler transporter took about 8 hours to complete.