Artemis II Prep: NASA’s Return to the Moon with Crew

For the first time since 1972, humans are preparing to travel beyond low-Earth orbit. NASA is currently in the final stages of training the four-person crew for Artemis II. This mission will not land on the surface but will perform a critical lunar flyby to test the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems. As the targeted launch date approaches, the training regimen has shifted from classroom theory to intense physical simulations.

Meeting the Crew of Artemis II

NASA has selected a diverse and highly experienced team for this historic 10-day mission. The crew includes three Americans and one Canadian, marking the first time an international partner will venture to the Moon.

• Reid Wiseman (Commander): A naval aviator and test pilot. He previously served as Chief of the Astronaut Office.
• Victor Glover (Pilot): He will pilot the Orion spacecraft around the Moon. Glover is an experienced F/A-18 pilot and previously flew on the SpaceX Crew-1 mission.
• Christina Koch (Mission Specialist): Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days). She is an engineer by trade.
• Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist): Representing the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Hansen is a fighter pilot and the first non-American scheduled to leave Earth’s orbit.

Geology Training in Iceland

In July 2024, the four astronauts traveled to the remote highlands of Iceland for specialized geology training. While Artemis II will not land on the lunar surface, the crew must be able to identify geological features from orbit. The volcanic terrain of Iceland, specifically around the Askja caldera, serves as one of the best terrestrial analogs for the Moon.

During this expedition, the astronauts lived in semi-remote conditions to simulate the isolation of space travel. They practiced describing landscape features to a team of geologists acting as “Mission Control.” This skill is vital. When they orbit the Moon, they will have mere seconds to photograph and verbally describe specific craters and impact basins. The science team on Earth relies on these descriptions to select landing sites for the future Artemis III mission.

The training in Iceland also focused on “expeditionary behavior.” This term refers to how the crew interacts, resolves conflict, and maintains morale in uncomfortable environments. Living in tents and hiking across jagged lava fields builds the team cohesion necessary for a cramped 10-day voyage in deep space.

Water Recovery Operations in the Pacific

One of the most physically demanding aspects of the mission preparation involves coming home. NASA and the Department of Defense have been conducting rigorous recovery tests known as “Underway Recovery Tests” (URT).

Recent exercises, such as URT-11, took place off the coast of San Diego involving the USS San Diego. The crew practiced exiting a mock-up of the Orion capsule while bobbing in the open ocean. This is not a simple task. After ten days in zero gravity, astronauts often experience vestibular dysfunction (dizziness and balance issues).

The recovery teams practiced two primary scenarios:

1. Open Ocean Extraction: Navy divers attach a specialized collar to the capsule to keep it buoyant. They then assist the astronauts into “Front Porch” rafts before hoisting them into helicopters.
2. Well Deck Recovery: The ship floods its rear deck to allow the capsule to float directly inside the vessel. This method is preferred if sea conditions are rough or if the medical condition of the crew requires immediate stability.

Launch Day Simulations

At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crew has been participating in “Integrated Simulations.” These are full dress rehearsals of launch day.

The astronauts suit up in their bright orange Orion Crew Survival System (OCSS) pressure suits. These suits are distinct from the white EVA suits used for spacewalks. The OCSS suits are designed to protect the crew during launch and re-entry. They include built-in survival gear like a radio beacon, a knife, and a signaling mirror in case of an off-target landing.

During these simulations, the crew rides the mobile launcher tower elevator up to the crew access arm. They practice strapping into the Orion seat liners, checking the displays, and communicating with the Launch Control Center. The simulation team throws various problems at them, such as computer failures or communication dropouts, to test their ability to troubleshoot under pressure.

Why the Launch Date Moved to September 2025

NASA originally hoped to launch Artemis II in late 2024. However, the agency announced a delay to September 2025 to address safety concerns discovered after the uncrewed Artemis I mission.

Heat Shield Erosion: During the return of Artemis I, the Orion capsule’s heat shield charred differently than computer models predicted. Some of the protective material chipped away rather than eroding smoothly. While the capsule survived, NASA engineers are conducting extensive analysis to ensure the heat shield can withstand the 5,000-degree Fahrenheit temperatures of re-entry with humans on board.

Life Support Valves: Testing revealed issues with circuitry in the life support system valves. These valves control the flow of air and temperature regulation. NASA decided to replace these components on the Artemis II vehicle to guarantee reliability.

Battery Systems: Engineers identified a design flaw in the batteries used for the abort system. These batteries trigger the separation of the capsule from the rocket if something goes wrong during launch. NASA is replacing these batteries to ensure they function correctly in an emergency.

The Mission Profile

The Artemis II flight path is unique. After launching on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the crew will not head immediately to the Moon. They will first enter a high Earth orbit. This elliptical orbit will take them up to 1,800 miles above Earth.

During this phase, they will separate from the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS). In a manual piloting test, Victor Glover will use the Orion controls to turn the spacecraft around and approach the spent rocket stage. This “proximity operations demonstration” proves the spacecraft can dock with other vehicles, a requirement for future missions involving the lunar space station Gateway.

Once systems are checked, they will fire the engine to perform a translunar injection. They will fly around the far side of the Moon, using the Moon’s gravity to sling them back toward Earth. This “free-return trajectory” is a safety feature. It ensures that even if the main engine fails after the flyby, gravity will naturally bring the crew home.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Artemis II scheduled to launch? NASA is currently targeting no earlier than September 2025. This date allows time to resolve heat shield and life support system concerns.

Will the astronauts land on the Moon? No. Artemis II is an orbital mission. The crew will fly around the Moon and return to Earth. The first landing is scheduled for Artemis III, which is currently targeted for late 2026 or 2027.

How long will the mission last? The mission is planned to last approximately 10 days. This includes the launch, the check-out orbit around Earth, the transit to the Moon, the lunar flyby, and the return trip.

What rocket will be used? The mission will launch on the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 rocket. This is the most powerful rocket NASA has ever built, generating 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.

Why is a Canadian astronaut on board? The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is a major partner in the Artemis program. Canada is contributing Canadarm3, an advanced robotic arm, to the future Lunar Gateway space station. In exchange for this contribution, a CSA astronaut secured a seat on Artemis II.