This initiative focuses on deep space exploration, utilizing the Space Launch System heavy-lift rocket and the Orion crew capsule. Beyond brief lunar landings, the mission architecture includes building an orbital space station called Gateway and surface base camps. The ultimate engineering objective is proving out the life-support and habitat technologies required for future crewed flights to Mars.
We need to verify the thermal interface requirements against the Artemis payload specifications before mating the module.
Unlike the historic Apollo missions which focused on brief surface stays, this program is heavily focused on building permanent infrastructure and utilizing in-situ resources like lunar ice.
Related terms
Apollo
The historic United States space program that successfully landed humans on the Moon.
SLS
The Space Launch System is a super heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle developed by NASA.
ESA
European Space Agency, an intergovernmental organization coordinating Europe's space exploration.
Launch vehicle
A rocket or other system used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into space.