Artemis 2 Nears Launch Window with Orion Stacked for Historic Lunar Flyby

Artemis 2 launches NET 5 February, 65 days, NLT 26 April; Orion capsule “Integrity” stacked atop SLS at Kennedy VAB before rollout to Pad 39B; technical preparation / critical testing includes interface among core / boosters / ground systems / capsule, propulsion, life support, connections with Near / Deep Space Networks for communication / navigation; Crew preps for 10-day mission—commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and specialist Jeremy Hansen (1st African-American and non-USA citizen, respectively, on Moon mission), specialist Christina Koch (1st woman to Moon, venturing ~274 times farther than any woman prior, ~384,000km vis-a-vis ~1,400km Polaris Dawn altitude); 1st woman on Moon via Artemis 3 planned NET 581 days hence

Image Credits: NASA, NASA / Cory Huston