The 10-day journey that takes humanity further into deep space than ever before
After more than fifty years, the Artemis II mission is preparing to send a crew around the Moon. This isn't just a flight; it is a high-stakes test of the systems required to sustain human life in the lunar far side and beyond.
Scheduled for early 2026, the Artemis II mission represents the first crewed lunar flyby in over half a century. The mission's primary objective is to test the Orion spacecraft and its deep space systems, paving the way for eventual lunar landings and even future crewed missions to Mars. During the mission, four crew members will travel along a trajectory that brings them to the lunar far side, reaching altitudes between approximately 3,000 and 9,000 miles.
The success of this journey relies on a complex web of international cooperation. Central to the Orion spacecraft is the European Service Module, which provides the essential life-support functions for the crew. This module is responsible for propulsion, power, water, and breathable air. Its construction is a massive collaborative effort, primarily involving contributions from 13 ESA Member States, including Germany, Italy, France, the United as well as the United Kingdom, Spain, and others.
As NASA utilizes its Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket to launch Orion, the European Space Agency (ESA) is simultaneously working to expand its own autonomy in space capabilities. The mission serves as a cornerstone for the emerging lunar economy, as Europe seeks to define its role across low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars. By providing the critical infrastructure for Orion, Europe is positioning itself as a reliable and competitive partner in this new era of deep space exploration.
Source: Artemis II: Around the Moon in 10 days
