Artemis II is in orbit – what happens next?
Artemis II is in orbit – what happens next?
The relief was palpable as NASA’s Artemis II rocket launched successfully on Wednesday. This mission carries immense stakes: the safety of its four crew members, the agency’s standing in the space community, and the validation of the U.S. leading the next international push into deep space. Beyond the critical aspects, there are everyday concerns too—like whether the onboard toilet will function reliably or if the astronauts will manage their rest schedules.
Testing the Orion Spacecraft
Around 42,500 miles above Earth, Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are now testing the Orion spacecraft. Just minutes after liftoff, the vehicle’s solar panels deployed fully, ensuring power for the upcoming journey. The capsule, roughly the size of a minibus, has never carried humans before, so Glover is putting it through its paces to confirm its readiness. NASA aims to verify that Orion can withstand the rigors of deep space travel, with life support systems under scrutiny.
If any issue arises, the crew’s specialized suits could sustain them for about six days. This is a significant departure from the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, where real-time monitoring was limited. Today, viewers can follow every step via live streams, capturing details like astronauts checking monitors, holding phones, and pressing controls.
Astronauts’ First Day in Orbit
About eight hours post-launch, the crew’s first sleep period began. Over the radio, Wiseman humorously asked for “comfort garments,” referencing the team’s pyjamas. The astronauts retreated to their sleeping quarters for four hours, adhering to a strict schedule dictated by Mission Control. Each sleep session lasts roughly four hours, totaling eight hours over a 24-hour cycle. Adjusting to weightlessness can make resting challenging, but some report better sleep in space.
Physical activity is also a priority. The crew must exercise for 30 minutes daily to maintain muscle and bone health. Wiseman and Glover tested the “flywheel exercise device,” a portable unit about the size of a carry-on suitcase. Koch and Hansen will follow with exercises involving rowing, squats, and deadlifts. Their meals, selected in advance, include macaroni cheese, beef brisket, and five hot sauces. Freeze-dried food and water from onboard taps are the primary options, with two drinks allowed per day—coffee or a chocolate breakfast drink.
Next Steps and Mission Milestones
Today’s focus is on the “trans-lunar injection” maneuver, a key step to send the crew beyond Earth’s orbit toward the Moon. Scheduled for Thursday night UK time, this burn will take six minutes to align them on a lunar trajectory. If delayed, it could jeopardize NASA’s goal of landing humans on the Moon again by 2028. The maneuver will also use lunar gravity to slingshot them back to Earth, with the far side of the Moon as their furthest point—planned for Monday, 6 April.
These regions, unseen by humans, will be the astronauts’ first close-up view. While probes from India and China have mapped the far side, the crew will document new observations for Earth. The toilet, which malfunctioned during launch, is now operational, with Mission Control advising:
“Happy to report that toilet is go for use…. We do recommend letting the system get to operating speed before donating fluid.”