NASA’s Artemis II mission has completed an essential stage by making ready a vital auxiliary target after it was put to the test at the United Launch Alliance’s facility in Florida. This target will be utilized to assess Orion’s piloting features, as part of NASA’s extensive ambition to land the first female and individual of color on the Moon. Credit: ULA
The crucial auxiliary target for the Artemis II mission is prepared for launch, after being tested at the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) facility in Florida. On May 16, ULA’s team attached the target to the in-space propulsion stage of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at the ULA’s Delta Operations Center.
Once NASA’s Orion spacecraft safely detaches from the rocket’s upper section, the Orion’s four astronauts will engage the target that’s attached to the in-space stage for a demonstration of proximity operations. This experiment is designed to evaluate Orion’s piloting skills. In May, the target was put through illumination tests to make sure it would be discernible under varying space lighting conditions.
The SLS rocket functions to propel the Artemis missions towards the Moon in different phases. Its ICPS (interim cryogenic propulsion stage) and its sole RL10 engine will be ignited twice during the Artemis II mission, situating the Orion spacecraft and its crew into a high-Earth orbit. From there, they’ll analyze Orion’s manual control attributes using the ICPS and the auxiliary target before heading to the Moon.
In the course of the demonstration, astronauts will deploy a two-foot target to investigate navigation and additional vital Orion systems. This analysis will further the understanding of Orion’s ability to draw near and journey alongside a substantial spacecraft in space, a required skill for upcoming Artemis missions demanding docking abilities.
The overarching goal of NASA is to achieve the landing of both the first woman and person of color on the Moon through the Artemis program. The SLS is integral to NASA’s overall infrastructure for exploration into deep space, complemented by the Orion spacecraft, cutting-edge spacesuits, rovers, the Moon-orbiting Gateway, and commercial human landing arrangements. Importantly, SLS is the sole rocket able to transport Orion, astronauts, and necessary supplies to the Moon in one mission.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Artemis II mission
What is the critical auxiliary target for NASA’s Artemis II mission?
The critical auxiliary target is a component that has been tested and prepared for the Artemis II mission at United Launch Alliance’s Florida facility. It will be used to test Orion’s piloting qualities and navigation capabilities, playing a key role in NASA’s long-term goal to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon.
When and where was the target affixed to the SLS rocket?
The target was affixed to the in-space propulsion stage of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at ULA’s Delta Operations Center at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 16.
What will the target be used for during the mission?
During the mission, the target will be used for a proximity operations demonstration to test Orion’s piloting qualities. Astronauts will also utilize a two-foot target to test navigation and other essential Orion systems, assessing the spacecraft’s ability to approach and fly alongside another large spacecraft in space.
What is the significance of the SLS rocket in the Artemis missions?
The SLS rocket provides propulsion to transport the Artemis missions to the Moon. Its ICPS (interim cryogenic propulsion stage) will fire twice during the Artemis II mission, placing the Orion spacecraft and astronauts into a high-Earth orbit. Notably, SLS is the only rocket capable of sending Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single mission.
What are NASA’s goals under the Artemis program?
NASA is working under the Artemis program to land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon. The program also includes other components such as advanced spacesuits, rovers, the Gateway in orbit around the Moon, and commercial human landing systems, with SLS playing a vital role in deep space exploration.
More about Artemis II mission
- NASA’s Artemis II Mission
- United Launch Alliance (ULA)
- NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)
- Orion Spacecraft
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
