2022
ARTEMIS I LAUNCH
MOON
PRIMARY DESTINATION
SLS
HEAVY-LIFT ROCKET
ORION
CREW SPACECRAFT
LUNAR
EXPLORATION PROGRAM
MARS
LONG-TERM GOAL
RETURN TO THE MOON
Artemis is a human spaceflight program
focused on exploring the Moon and
building the capabilities needed for
future deep-space missions.
The program uses NASA's Space Launch
System rocket and Orion spacecraft,
along with commercial lunar landers
and other international and commercial
partners.
Artemis I launched in November 2022
without astronauts aboard. The mission
tested the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft
during a journey around the Moon and
back to Earth.
Future Artemis missions are intended to
bring astronauts back to the lunar surface
and establish a sustained human presence
around and on the Moon.
The experience gained from lunar missions
is also intended to help prepare humanity
for future crewed missions to Mars.
ARTEMIS MISSION FEATURES
SLS ROCKET
The Space Launch System is a powerful
heavy-lift rocket designed to send Orion
and crew toward the Moon and beyond.
ORION
Orion is the crew spacecraft designed
to transport astronauts through deep
space and return them safely to Earth.
LUNAR GATEWAY
Gateway is a planned space station in
lunar orbit that will support exploration
and future missions to the Moon.
DID YOU KNOW?
Artemis I traveled around the Moon
and reached a distance of more than
430,000 km from Earth during
its mission.
WHY ARTEMIS RETURNS TO THE MOON
Artemis is a NASA-led program intended to expand human exploration of the Moon using new spacecraft, launch systems and international and commercial partnerships. Its broader architecture is designed around more sustained lunar operations than the short surface expeditions of Apollo.
The program also supports scientific investigation of the Moon and development of technologies and operational experience relevant to future deep-space missions. Individual mission schedules and architectures can change as hardware is tested and program plans evolve.
ORBONIX · SPACE MISSIONS
ARTEMIS PROGRAM
ARTEMIS PROGRAM