On Thursday, NASA made a groundbreaking announcement that the Orion spacecraft from the Artemis II mission is successfully communicating with the Deep Space Network as it transports four astronauts toward the Moon. This marks the first time in over half a century that a signal has been received from a crewed spacecraft on a lunar trajectory.
The official NASA Artemis account shared the news in the early morning hours: "Signal acquired! Engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have confirmed that the Orion spacecraft is communicating with the Deep Space Network. For the first time in over 50 years, we are receiving a signal from a spacecraft carrying humans to the Moon."
Artemis II launched on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. Eastern Time from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It lifted off aboard the Space Launch System rocket, the most powerful rocket to carry humans into space, boasting nearly four million kilograms of thrust.
Named "Integrity," the Orion spacecraft's mission is to validate its systems with a human crew before future lunar landings. Among the crew members is the first Canadian to journey to the Moon, signifying a historic milestone in international space exploration.
Communication with the spacecraft is facilitated by the Deep Space Network, which features antennas up to 70 meters in diameter, enabling contact with spacecraft at vast distances from Earth.
The last mission of this kind occurred in December 1972, when astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt were the final humans to travel to the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission. Now, over fifty years later, humanity is once again embarking on this path with the Artemis program, which has its first lunar landing scheduled for 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions about Artemis II Mission
What is the purpose of the Artemis II mission?
The Artemis II mission aims to validate the Orion spacecraft's systems with a human crew in preparation for future lunar landings.
When did the last crewed mission to the Moon take place?
The last crewed mission to the Moon occurred in December 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission.
Who is the first Canadian astronaut to travel to the Moon?
The Artemis II mission includes the first Canadian astronaut to travel to the Moon, marking a significant achievement in international space exploration.
What is the Deep Space Network?
The Deep Space Network is a global network of antennas that enables communication with spacecraft at vast distances from Earth, featuring antennas up to 70 meters in diameter.