Topic: [Discuss] NASA's Artemis II mission (Orion)
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 579 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 08-05-2025 01:30 PM
I'm somewhat confused; is the launch schedule to occur on February or Spring 2026?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-05-2025 02:02 PM
NASA is still targeting no later than April 2026, but the program is currently working towards and on track for a launch in February.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-27-2025 12:18 PM
NASA release
NASA Seeks Volunteers to Track Artemis II Mission
NASA seeks volunteers to passively track the Artemis II Orion spacecraft as the crewed mission travels to the Moon and back to Earth.
The Artemis II test flight, a launch of the agency's SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, will send NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on an approximately 10-day mission around the Moon.
The mission, targeted for no later than April 2026, will rely on NASA's Near Space Network and Deep Space Network for primary communications and tracking support throughout its launch, orbit, and reentry. However, with a growing focus on commercialization, NASA wants to further understand industry's tracking capabilities.
This collaboration opportunity builds upon a previous request released by NASA's SCaN (Space Communication and Navigation) Program during the Artemis I mission, where ten volunteers successfully tracked the uncrewed Orion spacecraft in 2022 on its journey thousands of miles beyond the Moon and back.
During the Artemis I mission, participants – ranging from international space agencies, academic institutions, commercial companies, nonprofits, and private citizens – attempted to receive Orion's signal and use their respective ground antennas to track and measure changes in the radio waves transmitted by Orion.
"By offering this opportunity to the broader aerospace community, we can identify available tracking capabilities outside the government," said Kevin Coggins, NASA's deputy associate administrator for SCaN at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "This data will help inform our transition to a commercial-first approach, ultimately strengthening the infrastructure needed to support Artemis missions and our long-term Moon to Mars objectives."
Responses are due by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, Oct. 27.
NASA's SCaN Program serves as the management office for the agency's space communications and navigation systems. More than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions rely on SCaN's two networks, the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network, to support astronauts aboard the International Space Station and future Artemis missions, monitor Earth's weather, support lunar exploration, and uncover the solar system and beyond.
Artemis II will help confirm the systems and hardware needed for human deep space exploration. This mission is the first crewed flight under NASA's Artemis campaign and is another step toward new U.S.-crewed missions on the Moon's surface that will help the agency prepare to send American astronauts to Mars.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-27-2025 03:37 PM
NASA has named some of the key personnel for Artemis II:
Mission Management Team (MMT) chair: Amit Kshatriya, NASA’s deputy associate administrator, Moon to Mars Program
Mission manager: Matt Ramsey (Ramsey managed the Space Launch System Engineering Support Center for Artemis I)
Launch director: Charlie Blackwell-Thompson
Lead flight director: Jeff Radigan ("Resolute Flight")
You can now add yourself to the first crew to launch to the moon in more than 50 years.
As part of the preparations leading up to the Artemis II mission next year, NASA is inviting the public to join the flight's four astronauts, if only in name.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-23-2025 08:55 AM
NASA video
Artemis II is the next step in our journey from the Moon to Mars. This mission will be the Artemis program's first crewed mission, with four astronauts flying around the Moon in 10 days. This flight will confirm the systems and hardware necessary for human deep space travel. Artemis II is scheduled for no later than April 2026.
In this news conference, leaders in the Artemis program will discuss the mission and answer questions from the media. The participants include:
Lakiesha Hawkins, acting deputy associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
Judd Frieling, lead Artemis II ascent flight director, NASA Johnson
Jeff Radigan, lead Artemis II flight director, NASA Johnson
Rick Henfling, lead Artemis II entry flight director, NASA Johnson
Daniel Florez, test director, Exploration Ground Systems, NASA Kennedy
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-23-2025 10:25 AM
NASA video
In this news conference, leaders in the Artemis program and Science Mission Directorate (SMD) will discuss the science of the mission and answer questions from the media. The participants include:
Matt Ramsey, Artemis II mission manager, NASA Headquarters
Debbie Korth, deputy Orion Program manager, NASA Johnson
Jacob Bleacher, manager, Science, Technology Utilization, and Integration, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Mark Clampin, acting deputy associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-23-2025 02:11 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...on track for a launch in February.
As the mission managers said today, Artemis II continues to be targeted for a launch no later than April 2026, but as of today, the mission could lift off as soon as Feb. 5, 2026 during a 32-second window that opens at 8:09 p.m. EST.
A launch in February (opportunities are available through Feb. 11), would be in the evening hours. The same is true for March and April.
A February launch would be preceded by the SLS and Orion stack rolling out to the pad in January followed by a "wet dress rehearsal" about two weeks later.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-24-2025 09:32 AM
NASA video
The four astronauts of Artemis II, which will lift off to fly around the Moon in early 2026, are sharing updates on the mission and taking questions from media.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-24-2025 09:33 AM
The Artemis II crew has named their Orion spacecraft "Integrity."
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.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 579 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 09-25-2025 07:30 AM
Why choose the name "Integrity" instead of "Constitution" as a way to commemorate America's 250th birthday for next year?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-25-2025 07:53 AM
You would have to ask the crew, but if I had to guess based on their comments yesterday, at least to reasons might have been a factor.
First, the crew emphasized how Artemis II was an international mission and not just because Jeremy Hansen is on board. Cubesats from international partners will be deployed and some of their on board science will include international participation, as well.
They also view their mission as helping to pave the way to the lunar surface, where the hope is everyone on Earth will benefit from what is learned.
Secondly, Reid Wiseman said he expects the anniversary to get a lot of mention otherwise.
When I look at 2026, the year ahead, we're going 250,000 miles from planet Earth and it just so coincidentally happens to be the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. So we'll see if we can play those two numbers together just a few thousand times on this mission.
Axman Member
Posts: 867 From: Derbyshire UK Registered: Mar 2023
posted 09-25-2025 07:57 AM
Possibly because although Independence was declared in 1776, the Constitution wasn't written until 1787. A 239th anniversary isn't usually so widely celebrated.
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1554 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 09-25-2025 08:35 AM
Constitution is also the name of a three-masted frigate launched in 1797, still in commission in the US Navy (officially the oldest 'still afloat') and docked near Boston. Was to be the original name for Shuttle OV-101, of course famously later changed to Enterprise.
Maybe the name 'Integrity' better follows the neutral naming of previous Crew Dragon spacecraft: Endurance, Endeavour, Resilience, Grace, Freedom. As stated by Robert; it's up to the inaugural crew who fly the vehicle to name it based on a vote and also considering the mission and its significance.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3912 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 09-25-2025 05:55 PM
Frankly, I wouldn't mind if they called it "the good ship Lollipop" so long as it flies straight and true and bears its crew around the Moon and back safely.
That said, I sighed a little at yet another worthy and slightly dull abstract noun of the kind which has featured in so many NASA missions of late (Opportunity, Curiosity, Perseverance, etc.). I prefer simple nouns (Falcon, Antares, Orion, etc) and I hope the crew of Artemis 3 at least considers the name "Eagle II" for their lunar lander.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 579 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 09-29-2025 01:32 PM
Will this launch window be instantaneous? i.e. if an issue popped out and/or weather interference in the last few seconds of the countdown?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-29-2025 02:19 PM
For a launch on Feb. 5, the window is open for 32 minutes, but on most other days, it is two hours long.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3912 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 10-19-2025 02:34 PM
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.
Yes, I know it's not a lunar landing mission, or even a lunar orbital mission, but Artemis II is going to take astronauts to the Moon and for those of us who have been waiting impatiently for over half a century, this is beginning to feel real!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-19-2025 06:24 PM
You're not alone. More than once over the past couple of weeks, I have found myself smiling at the thought of what is coming — and it is coming, we have passed the point of the mission being canceled (in my opinion).
What comes after Artemis II, I don't know, which is all the more reason to relish every moment of this flight and the steps leading up to it leaving the launch pad.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-25-2025 09:48 PM
Lunar photography training... from the Canadian Space Agency:
CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen and the Artemis II crew practiced photographing the Moon!
During the mission, the four astronauts will fly by our celestial neighbour and will need to capture what they see. This specific training allows them and ground teams to practice visual procedures in a safe, controlled environment. It helps them improve visual navigation and prepare for unexpected visual conditions — both essential skills for successful spaceflight.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3258 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 11-18-2025 03:37 PM
Does anyone have a station chart for the full stack of Artemis SLS and Orion spacecraft?
I am formulating a build for an outdoor display (thus big) and I would rather have real data than scaling models and photos. Any help here would be great!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-14-2025 10:37 AM
NASA video
Before our Artemis II astronauts lift off on their journey around the Moon next year, find out what it takes to build a mission like theirs from the ground up.
Episode 1 of Moonbound is live.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-20-2025 11:38 PM
From Reid Wiseman on Dec. 19:
On the eve of our countdown demonstration test, we paid homage to the Apollo 1 crew. Moving, somber, necessary.
SpaceCadet1983 Member
Posts: 572 From: Pacific NW, United States Registered: May 2012
posted 12-21-2025 04:20 PM
Ironic as I was just thinking about how the rush to beat the Soviets to the moon contributed to the Apollo 1 tragedy. Is the rush to beat China to the moon going to play out the same way. Are we truly "ready" to go? I pray we are.
MartinAir Member
Posts: 496 From: Registered: Oct 2020
posted 12-21-2025 06:16 PM
In respect to Apollo 1, the Orion spacecraft provides a breathable atmosphere by supplying a nitrogen and oxygen mix similar to Earth's air, maintained within a wide pressure range of 8.3 to a full sea level pressure of 14.7 psi. So yes, the lesson has been learned, and the mission has not been rushed, in my opinion.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-21-2025 07:56 PM
One thing to keep in mind is that the work ethic has changed. The deadline to beat the Soviets was felt by every worker because they did not just represent a space race competitor but an actual enemy wanting to "bury" us.
As such, they worked overtime and on weekends to get the job done if that is what it took. Few if any people today are putting in extra unpaid hours to beat the Chinese back to the moon. (They might be doing it for other reasons, but the suggested second space race is not it.)
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 579 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 12-23-2025 02:41 PM
Will there be another CDDT when Artemis/SLS eventually is on Pad-39B and the four person crew will be inside once more?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-23-2025 02:47 PM
Not another CDDT, but the crew will go out to the pad to practice the emergency egress procedures.
There will also be a wet dress rehearsal, loading propellant into the first and second stages of the Space Launch System.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1440 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 12-30-2025 11:24 AM
Any idea when the Artemis 2 vehicle will be rolled out to the launch pad?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-03-2026 03:59 PM
Rollout is now targeted for Jan. 16.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3912 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 01-05-2026 01:08 PM
I'm sure we are all aware, to a greater or lesser extent, that launch-times are governed by the relative positions of Earth and Moon, but that doesn't stop me looking forward to seeing an SLS daytime launch one day.
I particularly noted observers of the second New Glenn flight saying how they much preferred the daytime launch to the previous night-launch. That said, all that really matters is a successful launch. But still...
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 579 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 01-08-2026 09:50 AM
Will there be an offical crew portrait of Artemis II?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-08-2026 11:58 AM
This is the crew portrait, as has appeared on NASA-issued lithographs:
The crew poster was posted earlier in this topic.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-09-2026 08:13 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Rollout is now targeted for Jan. 16.
NASA is now 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 will take up to 12 hours.
NASA has also released the launch windows through April:
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
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-10-2026 09:31 AM
T-0 for the February launch opportunities (each day's window is 120 minutes long):
Feb. 6 at 9:41 p.m. EST (0241 GMT Feb. 7)
Feb. 7 at 10:46 p.m. EST (0346 GMT Feb. 8)
Feb. 8 at 11:20 p.m. EST (0420 GMT Feb. 9)
Feb. 10 at 12:06 a.m. EST (0506 GMT)
Feb. 11 at 1:05 a.m. EST (0605 GMT)
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3912 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 01-12-2026 10:34 AM
A bit of a late-nighter for those of us on this side of the pond.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1440 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 01-12-2026 10:57 AM
Robert, did NASA provide Artemis II T-0 times for March?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-12-2026 11:28 AM
March 6 at 8:29 p.m. EST (0129 GMT March 7)
March 8 at 10:56 p.m. EDT (0256 GMT March 9)
March 9 at 11:52 p.m. EDT (0352 GMT March 10)
March 11 at 12:48 a.m. EDT (0448 GMT)
April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT)
April 3 at 8:00 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT)
April 4 at 8:53 p.m. EDT (0053 GMT April 5)
April 5 at 9:40 p.m. EDT (0140 GMT April 6)
April 6 at 10:38 p.m. EDT (0236 GMT April 7)
April 30 at 6:06 p.m. EDT (2206 GMT)
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3912 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 01-12-2026 04:33 PM
I note that launches (assuming no delay) on 1st or 30th April would be in daylight. An on-time launch on 3rd April would be 20 minutes after sunset. Not that I'm hoping for a delay beyond 6th February at 9.41pm EDT.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55792 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-14-2026 05:14 PM
NASA is targeting no earlier than 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT), Saturday, Jan. 17, to begin the Space Launch System and mobile launcher's multi-hour trek from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Friday, Jan. 16:
12 p.m.: Artemis II Rollout, Mission Overview News Conference — John Honeycutt, Artemis II mission management team chair — Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems — Jeff Radigan, Artemis II lead flight director, Flight Operations Directorate — Lili Villarreal, landing and recovery director, Exploration Ground Systems — Jacob Bleacher, chief exploration scientist, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate
Saturday, Jan. 17:
7 a.m.: Rollout, Artemis II Live Views from Kennedy Space Center feed begins
9 a.m.: Artemis II Crew Rollout Media Event NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the Artemis II crew, including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, will answer questions about their preparations and the mission for media in-person at the countdown clock.
posted 08-05-2025 01:30 PM
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