03/04/2026
ARTEMIS 2 LUNAR FLYBY.
The Artemis 2 mission is the first crewed flight of NASA's Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon to test the integrated Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft.
Mission:
Primary Target: A Lunar Flyby at a closest approach of approximately 4,600 to 6,400 miles (7,400 to 10,300 km) from the Moon's surface.
Lunar Far Side: Astronauts will be the first humans to see the lunar far side in person since 1972, taking high-resolution photos and scientific data.
Testing Goals:
Verify life support, communication, and navigation systems in deep space.
Demonstrate proximity operations (maneuvering near the spent upper stage).
Validate the Orion heat shield performance during high-speed reentry.
This will be a preparatory mission to Artemis 3 and 4 in 2028 for human mission to the moon and mars.
Flight Statistics:
Total Flight Distance: Approximately 1.4 million miles (2.25 million km) for the entire mission.
Max Distance from Earth: Roughly 252,799 miles (406,841 km), surpassing the record set by Apollo 13.
Top Launch Speed: Approximately 24,500 mph (39,430 km/h) or Mach 33 during ascent.
Reentry Speed: Enters Earth's atmosphere at approximately 25,000 mph (40,000 km/h), the fastest ever for a crewed vehicle.
Spacecraft Propulsion & Power:
Liftoff Thrust: Produces 8.8 million pounds of thrust.
Engine Configuration:
Core Stage: Four RS-25 liquid propellant engines (upgraded Space Shuttle main engines).
Boosters: Two five-segment Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), providing 75% of initial launch thrust.
Upper Stage (ICPS): One RL10 engine with 24,750 lbs of thrust for orbital maneuvers.
Orion Service Module: Features 33 engines (1 main, 8 auxiliary, 24 thrusters) for steering and lunar trajectory.
Engine Capacity (Fuel):
Core Stage: Burns over 700,000 gallons (2.6 million liters) of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
Orion: Carries 19,000 pounds of usable steering propellant.
Power Generation: Orion uses four solar array wings spanning 62 feet to generate electrical power.
Visuals Credit Maze.
