The upcoming Artemis II mission by NASA will mark humanity’s return to deep space with astronauts on board for the first time in over 50 years.
Four astronauts, three from Nasa and one from the Canadian space agency, are set to launch on a 10-day mission to the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft on April 1. Nasa is working to roll out the Space Launch System, the mega rocket, to the launch pad on March 20.
The 10-day journey, which will send the four astronauts around the Moon and back, is packed with critical tests, scientific observations, and preparations for future lunar landings.
10-DAY FLIGHT PROFILE OF ARTEMIS-II MOON MISSION DECODED
The mission begins with the Orion spacecraft separating from its rocket, eight minutes after launch, and entering a high-Earth orbit on Flight Day 1.
Astronauts will spend nearly a full day checking life support systems, testing onboard facilities like water supply and carbon dioxide removal, and even practising spacecraft manoeuvring using the upper stage as a mock docking target.
On Flight Day 2, the crew will perform the most crucial maneuver of the mission, the translunar injection (TLI) burn. This powerful engine firing will propel Orion out of Earth’s orbit and onto a trajectory toward the Moon.
Following this, astronauts will begin adjusting to life in space, including daily exercise routines and live communications with Earth.
As the spacecraft travels deeper into space, Flight Days 3 and 4 will focus on trajectory correction burns to ensure Orion remains on the correct path. The crew will also conduct medical demonstrations, test onboard equipment, and rehearse procedures for upcoming lunar observations.
By Flight Day 5, Orion will enter the Moon’s gravitational influence. Astronauts will test their advanced spacesuits, designed for both launch and emergency survival, while preparing for the mission’s highlight, the lunar flyby.
Flight Day 6 will see Orion pass within a few thousand miles of the Moon, offering astronauts a rare opportunity to capture high-resolution images and record observations. The spacecraft may also set a record for the farthest distance humans have ever travelled from Earth.
After looping around the Moon, the spacecraft begins its journey home. Flight Day 7 includes another trajectory correction and a lighter schedule, allowing astronauts some rest after the intense flyby.
The final days focus on safety and return preparations. On Flight Day 8, astronauts will test radiation protection measures and manual piloting capabilities. Flight Day 9 will be dedicated to reentry preparations and final system checks.
On Flight Day 10, Orion will reenter Earth’s atmosphere, enduring extreme heat before deploying parachutes for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where recovery teams will conclude the historic Artemis II mission.
