The clock is ticking on Artemis II, a crewed mission that will reignite lunar dreams and give NASA practice for going to Mars about two years from now, in September 2025. It will be the first crewed mission in the Artemis programme, another ambitious attempt for NASA to create a sustainable human presence on the Moon and eventually Mars.

Testing Orion in Deep Space

A principal objective of Artemis II will be to test all of Orion’s on-board systems with astronauts present under the demanding conditions of deep space, sending four astronauts toward a lunar flyby on a journey further from Earth than any human has ever ventured. By putting these systems, including life support, propulsion, and the complex controller that navigates spacecraft to a lunar orbit, under extreme conditions, Orion will be absolutely ready for its passengers to venture on to the surface of the Moon, and well-prepared for the even greater challenges of future distance missions.

A Stepping Stone to Lunar Landing

Although it will be a test flight, Artemis II isn’t just a stepping stone to the program’s goals. Its success will also lay the foundation of the lunar infrastructure needed to achieve them. Because Artemis III, launched in 2026, will land the first woman and second man on the lunar surface.

From the Moon to Mars

While the Moon is NASA’s near-term goal, its sights are set much further afield. The agency sees the Moon as a stepping stone for technologies and strategies that will enable humans to travel to Mars. A permanent base on the Moon will open the solar system and enable new types of exploration that will lead us to ‘the high frontier’ of interplanetary travel.

A Global Endeavor

Artemis II is being built with international partners and commercial enterprises, which shows that this is humanity’s endeavour, not merely a manifest destiny of the United States. The moon is a reflection of Earth, and seeking our parallel history there shows how we will continue to learn about ourselves as we venture into space for longer journeys.

Looking to the Future

Closely following will be the eyes and ears of the ever-increasing amount of people paying attention as, for the first time, Artemis II departs on its historic voyage, ushering in a new era where our species ventures into space, unravels its many mysteries and begins carving out a sustainable and permanent presence off the Earth.

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