The Artemis II manned flight test, which will see humanity return to the vicinity of the moon for the first time in half a century, is underway. NASA is planning to use the new rocket SLS (Space Launch System) and the spacecraft Orion for this mission.First manned lunar orbit flight since Apollo 17 in 1972The same launch will also carry ATENEA, a small satellite developed by the Argentine space agency CONAE.
This time, we will look at the goals and flight flow of Artemis 2, ATENEA's technology demonstration, and why space exploration is linked to technology and society on Earth.
What is the Artemis 2 mission?
Artemis 2 will be the first Artemis mission to have a crew on board, and will mark the stage where the entire system will be verified through an actual flight. The mission will last approximately 10 days, with the Orion spacecraft departing Earth, performing a lunar flyby, and then returning to Earth.
The plan is to circle the far side of the moon and reach a point several thousand kilometers from Earth.
Mission Overview
| Item | Message |
|---|---|
| Flight flow | Departure from Earth → Moon flyby → Return to Earth |
| period | About 10 days |
| Main aircraft | SLS rocket/Orion spacecraft |
| crew | A total of four people from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency |
The main purpose of this flight is to verify that Orion's life support systems, communications, navigation (the system that determines direction) will function reliably in a manned deep space environment. It will also verify emergency procedures and radiation countermeasures, and provide safety assurance for the next phase, Artemis III.
The crew consists of four astronauts selected from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.
The role of ATENEA and international cubesats
Artemis II will carry not only the Orion spacecraft, but also multiple microsatellites (CubeSats), one of which is ATENEA, developed by CONAE.
ATENEA is a 12U-sized small satellite, composed of multiple 10-centimeter square units. It will be launched into high Earth orbit and will carry out technological demonstrations related to radiation and communications. Its objectives can be summarized as follows:
- radiation:
Measurement of radiation dose under different shielding conditions and acquisition of radiation spectra - Location and communication:
Collect data to aid future designs and verify long-distance communication links
In addition to ATENEA, CubeSats developed by Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and other countries will be on board to monitor radiation, observe space weather (changes in the space environment due to solar activity), evaluate the durability of electronic components, etc. Artemis II is also positioned as a place for technological verification through such international cooperation.
Astronauts conducting scientific experiments
Artemis 2 will also incorporate scientific research into the effects of the deep space environment on the human body and behavior. Astronauts will use wearable devices to record their sleep, stress, and cognitive function (the ability to think and make decisions), and blood and saliva samples will be used to examine changes in the immune system.
In addition, radiation exposure doses will be measured using onboard sensors and personal dosimeters to understand the radiation environment. Furthermore, observations of the Moon and surrounding space environment will be made during the lunar flyby to gather basic data necessary for future lunar exploration and deep space flight.
Why is the world challenging space exploration?
Space agencies around the world place great importance on deepening our understanding of space and Earth through space exploration and developing new technologies.The technology developed through space development is being applied to fields such as communications, medicine, and materials.and supports our lives.
Data from Earth observation satellites is also used for monitoring climate change, responding to disasters, and managing resources.Space exploration is not just about scientific research; it is also an effort to promote international cooperation and human resource development.It also plays an important role.
My Feelings, Then and Now
- Artemis 2 is the first manned flight test using the SLS and Orion spacecraft, and will be a manned lunar orbit mission.
- Argentina will participate in the mission with the small satellite ATENEA to demonstrate radiation measurement and communications technologies.
- The crew will conduct health and radiation studies to obtain basic data for future deep space exploration.
- In addition to improving scientific understanding, space exploration also has connections with society, such as through applications to ground technology and the use of Earth observation data.
The examples of Artemis 2 and ATENEA show that space development is supported not only by huge rockets, but also by palm-sized technology and cooperation between diverse countries.
Space technology is a comprehensive project that requires knowledge from a variety of fields, including not only engineers and researchers, but also data analysis, communications, policy, and medicine.
As technology evolves and space becomes more accessible, we encourage you to imagine how what you are studying and your interests connect to space and future society.