Artemis II: Crew Training Updates

NASA is inching closer to returning humans to deep space. While the Artemis II mission has been rescheduled for no earlier than September 2025, the four-person crew is currently deep in the midst of rigorous mission simulations. This period is critical for testing the human factors of the Orion spacecraft and ensuring the team can handle the 10-day journey around the moon.

Meeting the Artemis II Crew

Before looking at the specific training modules, it is important to know who is in the pilot’s seat. This mission marks the first time a woman and a person of color will travel to deep space. It is also the first time an international partner will fly around the moon.

The crew consists of:

  • Reid Wiseman (Commander): A naval aviator and test pilot who previously served as Chief of the Astronaut Office.
  • Victor Glover (Pilot): The person responsible for flying the Orion capsule during proximity operations.
  • Christina Koch (Mission Specialist): She holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman and will oversee engineering tasks.
  • Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist): A Canadian Space Agency astronaut making his first flight to space.

Integrated Simulations: The Core of Preparation

The “mission simulations” mentioned in recent updates refer to a specific phase of training known as “Sims.” These are not just video games. They occur inside a high-fidelity replica of the Orion spacecraft located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

During these sessions, the crew is plugged into the same communication loops they will use during the actual flight. They interact directly with the Mission Control Center flight directors. The goal is to rehearse every hour of the 10-day mission timeline.

These simulations cover:

  • Launch and Ascent: Monitoring the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket performance during the climb to orbit.
  • Trans-Lunar Injection: Executing the specific engine burn that propels the craft out of Earth’s orbit and toward the moon.
  • Optical Navigation: Using star sightings and cameras to determine the spacecraft’s position if communication with Earth is lost.
  • Emergency Scenarios: The training team throws random failures at the crew, such as cabin depressurization, fire alarms, or computer crashes, to test their reaction times and teamwork.

Field Training: Geology in Iceland

While Artemis II will not land on the moon, the crew needs to be expert observers. They will be looking at the lunar surface from an altitude of roughly 6,000 miles. To prepare for this, the astronauts recently traveled to the Askja caldera in the remote highlands of Iceland.

This location is famous for its basalt rocks and volcanic breccia, which are geologically similar to the terrain found on the moon. Apollo astronauts used this same location for training in the 1960s.

During this field expedition, the crew practiced:

  • Identifying geological features from a distance.
  • Communicating technical descriptions to a science team on the ground.
  • Living and working as a cohesive unit in a harsh, isolated environment.

Water Survival and Recovery Operations

What goes up must come down. The mission concludes with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. NASA and the Department of Defense have been conducting Underway Recovery Tests (URT) to ensure the crew gets home safely.

Recently, the crew practiced with the USS San Diego, an amphibious transport dock ship. The training involved:

  • Open Water Exits: The astronauts practiced exiting a mock Orion capsule bobbing in the ocean waves.
  • Helicopter Hoists: They rehearsed getting lifted from the water into a helicopter using a winch system.
  • Post-Flight Medical Checks: The team simulated the immediate medical evaluations that occur once they are on the deck of the recovery ship.

Launch Pad Emergency Egress

Safety on the ground is just as vital as safety in space. At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crew has trained on the emergency egress system at Launch Pad 39B.

If something goes wrong with the SLS rocket while it is on the pad (such as a fuel leak or fire), the crew must escape quickly. The old Apollo and Shuttle era “slide wire” baskets have been replaced. The new system uses high-speed zip line cars. The astronauts practiced getting from the capsule, across the crew access arm, and into these cars, which travel down a cable to a safe bunker at the perimeter of the launch complex.

Addressing the 2025 Delay

The training schedule has been adjusted slightly due to the mission delay announced in early 2024. NASA pushed the launch from late 2024 to September 2025 to address specific technical hurdles found during the uncrewed Artemis I flight.

The engineers are currently working on three main fixes:

  1. Heat Shield Erosion: Artemis I showed more charring and loss of material on the heat shield than expected. NASA is analyzing why this happened to ensure the crew is safe during the 25,000 mph reentry.
  2. Abort System Batteries: Issues were found in the circuitry of the batteries used for the launch abort system. These are being replaced and re-certified.
  3. Life Support Valves: Some electronic components in the air ventilation and temperature control system did not pass acceptance testing and are being reworked.

Despite these engineering challenges, the crew’s focus remains on procedural training. The extra time allows for more “Sims,” resulting in a crew that is likely to be the most prepared in NASA history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Artemis II launching? NASA is currently targeting no earlier than September 2025 for the launch.

Will Artemis II land on the moon? No. Artemis II is a “flyby” mission. The crew will orbit the moon to test the spacecraft’s life support and manual handling capabilities. The first landing is scheduled for Artemis III.

How long will the mission last? The mission is designed to last approximately 10 days. This includes the transit time to the moon, the orbit around the moon, and the return trip to Earth.

Why is there a Canadian astronaut on board? Jeremy Hansen is on the flight as part of an agreement between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Canada contributed the Canadarm3 robotics for the upcoming Lunar Gateway space station. In exchange, a CSA astronaut gets a seat on Artemis II.

What rocket will they use? The crew will launch atop the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1 rocket, which generates 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff.