NASA powers up Artemis 2 Orion spacecraft ahead of 2024 moon mission.
In a major milestone for NASA's Artemis program, the Orion spacecraft for Artemis 2 was successfully powered on for the first time on Monday, November 6, 2023. This key test marks a significant step forward in preparing the spacecraft for its mission to carry astronauts around the Moon in 2024.
The power-on test involved energizing the spacecraft's avionics, environmental control, and other critical systems. Engineers carefully monitored the spacecraft's performance throughout the test, and all systems were reported to be functioning as expected.
"This is a significant milestone for the Artemis program," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "Powering on the Orion spacecraft for the first time is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and it brings us one step closer to returning astronauts to the Moon."
The Artemis 2 mission is a critical step in NASA's plans to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. The mission will carry four astronauts on a journey around the Moon, testing the spacecraft's systems and preparing for future missions that will land astronauts on the lunar surface.
The Orion spacecraft is a key component of NASA's plans for lunar exploration. The spacecraft is designed to transport astronauts to and from the Moon, and it can also be used for missions to other destinations in deep space.
The Artemis program is an ambitious and complex undertaking, but NASA is confident that it is up to the task. With the successful power-on test of the Orion spacecraft, the agency is one step closer to achieving its goal of returning humans to the Moon.
