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Anthony Cuthbertson1 April 2026 22:09
Contributions of Artemis II partner countries to Moon mission
Although Nasa is the primary architect of Artemis II, the American space agency is aided by its counterparts from Europe, Canada, and Japan in the historic lunar mission.
At the heart of the mission is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) European Service Module, which has 33 engines that guide, steer and propel the crew safely towards the Moon and back.
A single main engine delivers the large changes in speed, supported by eight auxiliary engines as backup and for course corrections, as well as 24 smaller reaction control system engines, arranged in six pods, which are used to rotate and orient the spacecraft.
The ESA’s module also provides the Orion spacecraft and its crew with life support, power and propulsion, enabling safe human travel beyond Earth orbit.
Canada is also a key partner of the mission, with its direct contribution being astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who is part of the 4-person crew and is slated to become the first non-American to go to the Moon.
The American neighbour and Japan’s Jaxa space agency are expected to contribute robotics and modules for future Nasa lunar missions, especially for a gateway habitation module around the Moon.
Vishwam Sankaran2 April 2026 04:54
Astronauts prepare for test to assess key Orion spacecraft manoeuvre
As the Artemis II Orion spacecraft fine tunes its orbit around Earth, astronauts are preparing for a key test to evaluate its manual handling.
During the proximity operations demonstration, which was set to take place about three hours into the mission, the Artemis II crew will command Orion through a series of moves relative to another spacecraft, the ICPS, or interim cryogenic propulsion stage.
The test will evaluate how Orion flies with astronauts at the controls, as they make very small movements to ensure the spacecraft is responding as expected.
The crew will also evaluate how Orion performs near another spacecraft.
“The demonstration is a flight test objective that helps us reduce risk for future missions that involve rendezvous and docking with other spacecraft,” Nasa Orion manager Brian Anderson explained earlier.
Vishwam Sankaran2 April 2026 04:34
Why astronauts are going around the Moon before Artemis III landing mission
The Artemis II mission to circle around the Moon and return to Earth is designed to ensure Nasa’s new systems are safer, more efficient, and better tested before attempting a landing with the subsequent Artemis III mission.
It is designed to test spacecraft life support systems, validate navigation and communication, and ensure it can safely return to Earth.
The mission will also test astronaut radiation exposure in space, communication delays, and emergency procedures far from Earth.
Astronauts will enter a special orbit around the Moon, making it the furthest trip from Earth in decades. Humans have not gone beyond low orbit since 1972.
While the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s have put boots on the Moon, Artemis is much more complex.
In Artemis III, the mission’s Orion spacecraft stays in lunar orbit, while astronauts will transfer to SpaceX’s Starship HLS to land on the Moon.
It will involve multiple launches, refuelling steps, and also test docking in lunar orbit.
The Artemis I, II, and III missions will overall attempt to make a long-term presence on the Moon easier.
Vishwam Sankaran2 April 2026 04:08
Why spaceflight is having a moment, from Artemis to Project Hail Mary
Anthony Cuthbertson2 April 2026 03:40
Why has it taken 50 years to return to the Moon?
Anthony Cuthbertson2 April 2026 02:32
America is going back to the Moon – here’s why it’s a big deal
Anthony Cuthbertson2 April 2026 01:11
White House shares Mario-themed celebration
The official White House account on X has shared a bizarre Mario-themed video celebrating the launch of the Artemis II mission.
Anthony Cuthbertson2 April 2026 00:10
Eight minutes into the flight and the core stage separation is successful.
(Nasa)
Anthony Cuthbertson1 April 2026 23:47
Artemis II astronauts head to the Moon!
We have lift off! Artemis II’s four-astronaut crew is on its way to the Moon.
Just 248,000 miles to go.
(Nasa)
(Nasa)
Anthony Cuthbertson1 April 2026 23:36