What was the reason for NASA to launch four astronauts to the moon, yet not land them on it? This is the question that lies at the very core of the upcoming mission Artemis II which will turn the NASA lunar program into something more tangible and significant than just repeating what Apollo missions had done before. Artemis II is a journey that is meant to prove that equipment that would be used for missions beyond LEO is reliable, functional, and able to successfully deliver humans in space and return them back to Earth after a trip where there is no easy and quick way back.
The mission design follows the template of the first uncrewed mission Artemis I that was launched in 2022 and orbited around the Moon. Artemis II is a step forward in terms of crew involvement. NASA has officially announced that the mission will see the first crew onboard of the SLS and Orion and will act as a test of equipment and systems.
The work that astronauts will be engaged in is far from just sitting back and enjoying views of the lunar landscape. For instance, according to NASA’s training material for the mission, training for the crew includes the development of their autonomy skills and ability to respond to emergencies. Crews also receive information about different systems that make Orion possible as well as training on how to conduct themselves when staying in such a small and enclosed environment for days.
It should be emphasized that the lack of safety of the mission is one of its features and it is reflected in the profile which lasts for 10 days. During this time astronauts will experience life support systems, crew operations, navigation, communication, launch, and reentry performance as well as human factors in operating in the deep space.
Orion’s construction plays a vital role in testing the capabilities of such a complex system. The capsule relies on the European Service Module that provides it with power, propulsion, thermal control, and consumables. In turn, NASA and Lockheed Martin emphasized that the spacecraft has several layers of redundancy. This feature implies the use of five independent flight computers, and various other means that can be used when an issue happens during deep space mission. Launch abort system also plays a significant role in ensuring astronaut safety during the launch stage of the mission.
Finally, it is important to mention that Artemis II crew members were tasked with the observation of lunar surfaces, recording data related to craters, regolith, color variation, and lighting conditions. Such preparations are expected to give the future crew members knowledge that can be used for improving their efficiency when landing and moving on the lunar surface. According to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, this knowledge may be critical for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars.
At last, the limitation inherent in the mission also helps to focus on the most essential things. For example, Orion can provide living conditions for up to four astronauts for weeks. However, Artemis II aims to complete specific tasks rather than to attempt landing on the Moon. In this respect, the landing mission will require additional equipment and systems that will need further testing before launching humans on the south pole. Thus, in conclusion, it should be mentioned that Artemis II will help NASA to clear the road for further exploration of the Moon.