Lockheed Martin has officially completed the assembly and testing of NASA’s Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission, marking a key milestone in the journey toward returning humans to the Moon. The spacecraft has now been handed over to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) team, paving the way for final preparations before its historic crewed launch.
Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a mission to orbit the Moon-advancing NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. This mission also lays the groundwork for the first crewed expeditions to Mars.
As the most advanced human-rated spacecraft designed for deep space exploration, Orion represents a leap forward in spaceflight technology. Lockheed Martin, the spacecraft’s prime contractor, led the design and construction of key components, including the crew module, crew module adaptor, and launch abort system.
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“This achievement is a testament to our employees and suppliers who have worked tirelessly to get us to this important milestone,” said Kirk Shireman, vice president of Human Space Exploration and Orion program manager at Lockheed Martin. “The Orion spacecraft completion for Artemis II is a major step forward in our nation’s efforts to develop a long-term lunar presence. It’s exciting to think that soon, humans will see the Earth rise over the lunar horizon from our vehicle, while also traveling farther from Earth than ever before.”
Enhanced for Human Spaceflight
Artemis II builds on the foundation of prior uncrewed missions—Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) and Artemis I—which validated Orion’s performance in space. Now, the spacecraft is equipped to safely transport astronauts through deep space, integrating critical upgrades based on insights gained from earlier flights.
New systems have been installed to support the crew’s well-being, including life support features for air, water, temperature control, and waste management. The capsule also now includes advanced displays, audio communications, manual controls, and a crew exercise device. Safety is bolstered by a fully operational Launch Abort System designed to protect astronauts in the event of an emergency during ascent.
Additionally, Orion is now fitted with partial docking sensor capability and an experimental laser communications system. This high-speed data solution will enable next-generation communication capabilities, laying the foundation for more data-intensive missions in the future.