NASA’s Artemis II crew received disappointing news in January when their lunar-flyby mission was pushed back at least 10 months to September 2025. The space agency cited the need for more time to work through the challenges posed by first-time developments and integration. While the delay may have caused frustration for the crew, it also gives them additional time to train for their highly anticipated moon mission.
The training has been intense, with recent exercises involving a trip to the Pacific Ocean to rehearse the final stage of their 10-day mission: the splashdown. The rehearsal involved a mockup of the Orion spacecraft to add as much realism as possible, while the boats, ships, and helicopters used were the real deal.
The splashdown is a critical stage of the mission, requiring careful coordination to ensure the safe retrieval of the astronauts. A joint NASA and Department of Defense team, led by NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, will be waiting off the coast of California to pluck the astronauts from the Orion spacecraft after it lands in the ocean.
The team will first assess the environment around the capsule to ensure there are no hazards present, then stabilize the spacecraft by installing an inflatable collar and installing an inflatable raft beneath the side hatch to assist in the safe removal of the astronauts. Once the crew has exited the capsule, the raft will be moved about 100 yards away, and the astronauts will be lifted into a helicopter and transferred to a nearby naval ship.
From there, the astronauts will be taken to a medical bay for a post-mission evaluation before flying on a helicopter back to shore and then onward to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. According to NASA’s landing and recovery director, Lili Villareal, “Our highly choreographed recovery operations will help ensure the final phase of NASA’s first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years ends as a success.”
Nasa’s Artemis Ii Crew
The Artemis II crew will be powered to orbit by NASA’s new Space Launch System rocket in a launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The flight will involve coming within about 80 miles of the lunar surface before circling the moon and returning to Earth. A successful mission will pave the way for a crewed moon landing that’s currently set for 2028.
The Artemis II crew is comprised of Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen, all of whom have been training extensively for their mission. The delay has given them extra time to hone their skills and prepare for the challenges they will face during their epic voyage. With the additional time, the crew will be able to fine-tune their training and ensure that they are ready for the historic mission.
In addition to the training, the crew has also had to endure the disappointment of the mission’s delay. The crew has been working tirelessly for years, and the pushback has likely been difficult for them to accept. However, the delay has also given them an opportunity to recharge and refocus before the mission.
NASA’s Artemis II crew has received extra time to train for their moon mission, and while the delay may have been disappointing, it also gives the crew the opportunity to prepare thoroughly for their historic mission. The training has been intense, with a focus on the splashdown, and the crew is ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
