NASA Langley’s crucial work on the Orion spacecraft marks a milestone as Artemis II prepares to carry astronauts on a historic journey beyond Earth’s orbit.
HAMPTON, Va. — Wednesday marks a major milestone for NASA Langley, as the research center in Hampton has played a pivotal role in the development of the Orion spacecraft that will carry Artemis II astronauts around the moon and back.
It will be the second time this rocket has ever taken flight. The multi-billion-dollar mission will serve as a critical test run, paving the way for future moon landings.
NASA Langley has played a role in the development of the heat shield, validating the structural design, providing critical analysis, enhancing the manufacturing process, and more.
The 10-day journey will cover nearly 600,000 miles, taking astronauts farther from Earth than any human has traveled since the Apollo era. The crew — three Americans and one Canadian — say they know what’s at stake, and they’re ready to make history once again.
“For Artemis II, it’s about the people, about the astronauts, and learning about how they’re going to be working on the moon,” said Elkin Norena with the resident management office for NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) program.
Norena added: “They’re all excited about what they need to do in this space mission. They’re going to be testing … different technologies, doing science experiments as well as relaying back to Mission Control on what they’re going to be seeing around the moon and what we’re we’re going to apply for those future landing missions.”
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NASA says the goal is to build a sustained presence on the southern pole of the moon and build an overall longer-term community.
Leaders say there is an 80% chance the NASA Artemis II will launch as scheduled on Wednesday, April 1.
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