Howard Hu, manager of the Orion Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, speaks during an Artemis Program progress update panel at the 2024 Artemis Suppliers Conference, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy speaks with Orion Program Manager, Howard Hu during a tour of Lockheed Martin’s Orion Facility, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Howard Hu, Orion program manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center gives remarks remotely during a NASA briefing on the Artemis I Moon mission, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. NASA’s Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than Monday, Aug. 29. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Howard Hu, manager of the Orion Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, center, speaks during an Artemis Program progress update panel at the 2024 Artemis Suppliers Conference, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington. Also participating in the panel was, from left, Amit Kshatriya, deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program in NASA’s Explorations Systems Development Mission Directorate; Shawn Quinn, manager of Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; John Honeycutt, manager of the Space Launch System Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Lisa Watson-Morgan, manager of the Human Landing System Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Jon B. Olansen, manager of the Gateway Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Lara Kearney, manager of Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Shawn Quinn, manager of Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, second from left, speaks during an Artemis Program progress update panel at the 2024 Artemis Suppliers Conference, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington. Also participating in the panel was, from left, Amit Kshatriya, deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program in NASA’s Explorations Systems Development Mission Directorate; John Honeycutt, manager of the Space Launch System Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Howard Hu, manager of the Orion Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; Lisa Watson-Morgan, manager of the Human Landing System Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Jon B. Olansen, manager of the Gateway Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Lara Kearney, manager of Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Howard Hu, manager of the Orion Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, center, speaks during an Artemis Program progress update panel at the 2024 Artemis Suppliers Conference, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington. Also participating in the panel was, from left, Amit Kshatriya, deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program in NASA’s Explorations Systems Development Mission Directorate; Shawn Quinn, manager of Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; John Honeycutt, manager of the Space Launch System Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Lisa Watson-Morgan, manager of the Human Landing System Program at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center; Jon B. Olansen, manager of the Gateway Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Lara Kearney, manager of Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Front Row: Commander Reid Wiseman, Howard Hu, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, General David Stringer, Back Row: Carlos Garcia Galan, Howard Hu, John Zang, Josh Pawlak, Nicole Smith, Jan-Henrik Horstmann, Robert Overy, Kathryn Oriti pose in front of the Orion Environmental Test Article at Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, OH. The team has begun vibro-acoustic testing on the Orion spacecraft that flew around the Moon on Artemis I, now known as the Environmental Test Article. The testing will help ensure the safety of future crews aboard Orion. Employees meet three of the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed flight paving the way for future lunar surface missions. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present. Awards were given to employees that participated in Orion for Artemis I. Photo Credit: (NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna)

Tours were given of the In Space Propulsion Facility (ISP) in Sandusky, OH at Neil Armstrong Test Facility. NASA’s Facility is the world’s only high altitude test facility capable of full-scale rocket engine and launch vehicle system level tests. The facility supports mission profile thermal vacuum simulation and engine firing. From Left to Right: Jeremy Hansen, Allison Tankersley, Kathryn Oriti, Jan-Henrik Horstmann, Carlos Garcia-Galan, Penelope Garcia-Galan, Reid Wiseman, Jessica Isabell, Tiffany O'Rourke, Howard Hu, General David Stringer. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present. Photo Credit: (NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna)

Tours were given of the In Space Propulsion Facility (ISP) in Sandusky, OH at Neil Armstrong Test Facility. NASA’s Facility is the world’s only high altitude test facility capable of full-scale rocket engine and launch vehicle system level tests. The facility supports mission profile thermal vacuum simulation and engine firing. From Left to Right: Jeremy Hansen, Allison Tankersley, Kathryn Oriti, Jan-Henrik Horstmann, Carlos Garcia-Galan, Penelope Garcia-Galan, Reid Wiseman, Jessica Isabell, Tiffany O'Rourke, Howard Hu, General David Stringer. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present. Photo Credit: (NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna)

Commander Reid Wiseman, Howard Hu, Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen pose in front of the Orion Environmental Test Article at Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, OH on September 11, 2024. The team has begun vibro-acoustic testing on the Orion spacecraft that flew around the Moon on Artemis I, now known as the Environmental Test Article. The testing will help ensure the safety of future crews aboard Orion. Employees meet three of the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed flight paving the way for future lunar surface missions. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present. Awards were given to employees that participated in Orion for Artemis I. Photo Credit: (NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna)

Tours were given of the In Space Propulsion Facility (ISP) in Sandusky, OH at Neil Armstrong Test Facility. NASA’s Facility is the world’s only high altitude test facility capable of full-scale rocket engine and launch vehicle system level tests. The facility supports mission profile thermal vacuum simulation and engine firing. Pictured are Jessica Isabell, Allison Tankersley, Jan-Henrik Horstmann, Carlos Garcia-Galan, Howard Hu, Commader Reid Wiseman, Tiffany O'Rourke, General David Stringer, Kathryn Oriti, Penelope Garcia-Galan, Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Employees meet three of the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed flight paving the way for future lunar surface missions. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present.

Howard Hu, Orion Program manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, participates in a postlaunch news conference on Nov. 16, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after launch of Artemis I at 1:47 a.m. EST from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

Orion is revealed for one of the final times on Jan. 14, as it is readied atop its transport pallet from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, along its path to the pad ahead of the Artemis I launch. Touring the high bay, from left, are Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik, and Howard Hu, Orion Deputy Program manager. Teams across the globe have worked tirelessly to assemble the spacecraft, which will receive a protective covering prior to departing for the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to begin ground processing by the Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs teams.

Howard Hu, Orion Program Manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, participates in a prelaunch media briefing following completion of NASA’s Flight Readiness Review for Artemis I on Aug. 22, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis I is scheduled to launch at 8:33 a.m. EDT on Aug. 29, 2022, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

Kathy Lueders, third from left, associate administrator of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, tours the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 14, 2021. In the background is the Orion crew module for the Artemis II mission. From left are NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik; Tony Antonelli, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director and Artemis II Mission director; Howard Hu, Orion deputy program manager; Cathy Koerner, Orion Program manager; Scott Wilson, Orion Production Operations manager; Jules Schneider, Lockheed Martin director of Orion Assembly, Test and Launch Operations at Kennedy; and Nathan Varn, Lockheed Martin Production Control director. The group also viewed the Orion spacecraft for Artemis I as it was lowered onto a transporter for the move to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to begin ground processing by the Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs teams.

Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson participates in an Artemis I mission overview briefing inside the Press Site auditorium at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 3, 2022. Also participating in the briefing from various locations were NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy Bhavya Lal; Mission Manager Mike Sarafin; Space Launch System (SLS) Program Manager John Honeycutt; and Orion Program Manager Howard Hu. The first in an increasingly complex series of missions, Artemis I will test the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft as an integrated system prior to crewed flights to the Moon. Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface, paving the way for long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone before venturing to Mars.

Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson participates in an Artemis I mission overview briefing inside the Press Site auditorium at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 3, 2022. Also participating in the briefing from various locations were NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy Bhavya Lal; Mission Manager Mike Sarafin; Space Launch System (SLS) Program Manager John Honeycutt; and Orion Program Manager Howard Hu. The first in an increasingly complex series of missions, Artemis I will test the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft as an integrated system prior to crewed flights to the Moon. Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface, paving the way for long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone before venturing to Mars.

From left, Kelvin Manning, acting center director, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; Shawn Quinn, Exploration Ground Systems program manager; Lakiesha Hawkins, assistant deputy associate administrator, Moon to Mars Program office; Howard Hu, Orion program manager; Debbie Korth, Orion deputy program manager, participate in a handover ceremony of NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft to crews with the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The spacecraft will be transported to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to undergo fueling and processing for prelaunch operations. The Artemis II test flight is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson participates in an Artemis I mission overview briefing inside the Press Site auditorium at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Aug. 3, 2022. Also participating in the briefing from various locations were NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy Bhavya Lal; Mission Manager Mike Sarafin; Space Launch System (SLS) Program Manager John Honeycutt; and Orion Program Manager Howard Hu. The first in an increasingly complex series of missions, Artemis I will test the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft as an integrated system prior to crewed flights to the Moon. Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface, paving the way for long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone before venturing to Mars.

Howard Hu, Orion Program Manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, participates in a prelaunch media briefing following completion of NASA’s Flight Readiness Review for Artemis I on Aug. 22, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis I is scheduled to launch at 8:33 a.m. EDT on Aug. 29, 2022, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy and his family view a mockup of the Orion spacecraft during a tour of Lockheed Martin’s Orion Facility, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Howard Hu, manager for the Orion System Performance and Analysis Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center, provides an overview of the Sensor Test for Orion Relnav Risk Mitigation, or STORRM, flight test that space shuttle Endeavour will perform on the last on-orbit day of the STS-134 mission. The overview took place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida where Endeavour is awaiting liftoff. During the mission, Endeavour will fly a dedicated maneuver to simulate an Orion rendezvous trajectory, while two Orion sensors collect visual- and laser-based relative navigation data. This will provide an unprecedented in-flight test opportunity for America's next-generation exploration spacecraft. STS-134 also will deliver the Express Logistics Carrier-3, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the space station. Endeavour was scheduled to launch at 3:47 p.m. on April 29, but that attempt was scrubbed for at least 72 hours while engineers assess an issue associated with the shuttle's Auxiliary Power Unit 1. STS-134 will be the final spaceflight for Endeavour. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts134_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Jack Pfaller

A prelaunch media briefing is held following completion of NASA’s Flight Readiness Review for Artemis I on Aug. 22, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Participants are, from left, Megan Cruz, NASA Communications; Bob Cabana, NASA Associate Administrator; Janet Petro, Director, Kennedy Space Center; Jim Free, Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development; Mike Sarafin, Mission Manager, Artemis I; Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Launch Director, Artemis I; Howard Hu, Manager, Orion Program; Chris Cianciola, Deputy Manager, SLS Program. Artemis I is scheduled to launch at 8:33 a.m. EDT on Aug. 29, 2022, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

Orion is revealed for one of the final times on Jan. 14, as it is readied atop its transport pallet from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, along its path to the pad ahead of the Artemis I launch. Inside the high bay, from left, are Nathan Varn, Lockheed Martin Production Control director; Jules Schneider, Lockheed Martin director of Orion Assembly, Test and Launch Operations at Kennedy; Kelly DeFazio, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director for production operations; Tony Antonelli, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director and Artemis II Mission director; Cathy Koerner, Orion Program manager; Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate; astronaut Randy Bresnik; and Howard Hu, Orion deputy program manager. Teams across the globe have worked tirelessly to assemble the spacecraft, which will receive a protective covering prior to departing for the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to begin ground processing by the Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs teams.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager at NASA Headquarters, and Bhavya Lal, associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy at NASA Headquarters, right, are seen during a NASA briefing on the Artemis I Moon mission, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Also participating remotely were Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis I launch director at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, John Honeycutt, Space Launch System (SLS) program manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and Howard Hu, Orion program manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA’s Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than Monday, Aug. 29. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A postlaunch news conference is held on Nov. 16, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after launch of Artemis I at 1:47 a.m. EST from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. Participants were, from left, Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters; and Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems Program manager, Kennedy. Also participating were NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; John Honeycutt, Space Launch System Program manager, Marshall; Howard Hu, Orion Program manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

A prelaunch media briefing is held following completion of NASA’s Flight Readiness Review for Artemis I on Aug. 22, 2022, at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Participants are, from left, Megan Cruz, NASA Communications; Bob Cabana, NASA Associate Administrator; Janet Petro, Director, Kennedy Space Center; Jim Free, Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development; Mike Sarafin, Mission Manager, Artemis I; Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Launch Director, Artemis I; Howard Hu, Manager, Orion Program; Chris Cianciola, Deputy Manager, SLS Program. Artemis I is scheduled to launch at 8:33 a.m. EDT on Aug. 29, 2022, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

Orion is revealed for one of the final times on Jan. 14, as it is moved by crane to its transport pallet inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, along its path to the pad ahead of the Artemis I launch. Standing near Orion, from left, are Nathan Varn, Lockheed Martin Production Control director; Jules Schneider, Lockheed Martin Director of Orion Assembly, Test and Launch at Kennedy; Kelly DeFazio, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director for production operations; Tony Antonelli, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director and Artemis II mission director; Cathy Koerner, Orion Program manager; Kathy Lueders, associate administrator of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate; NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik; Howard Hu Orion Program deputy manager; and Scott Wilson, Orion Production Office manager. Teams across the globe have worked tirelessly to assemble the spacecraft, which will receive a protective covering prior to departing for the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to begin ground processing by the Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs teams.

A postlaunch news conference is held on Nov. 16, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after launch of Artemis I at 1:47 a.m. EST from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. Participants are, from left, Jackie McGuiness, NASA Communications; Bill Nelson, NASA administrator; Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters; Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems Program manager, Kennedy; John Honeycutt, Space Launch System Program manager, Marshall; Howard Hu, Orion Program manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

From left, Kelvin Manning, acting center director, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; Shawn Quinn, Exploration Ground Systems program manager; Lorna Kenna, Amentum Vice President and program manager; Lakiesha Hawkins, assistant deputy associate administrator, Moon to Mars Program office; Howard Hu, Orion program manager; Debbie Korth, Orion deputy program manager; Keith Shireman Lockheed Martin Vice President of Lunar Exploration Campaign, participate in a handover ceremony of NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft to crews with the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The spacecraft will be transported to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to undergo fueling and processing for prelaunch operations. The Artemis II test flight is the first crewed flight under NASA’s Artemis campaign and is another step toward missions on the lunar surface and helping the agency prepare for future human missions to Mars.

Stephanie Schierholz, a press secretary at NASA Headquarters, left, moderates a NASA briefing on the Artemis I Moon mission, with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager at NASA Headquarters, and Bhavya Lal, associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy at NASA Headquarters, right, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Also participating remotely were Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis I launch director at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, John Honeycutt, Space Launch System (SLS) program manager at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and Howard Hu, Orion program manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA’s Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than Monday, Aug. 29. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Orion is revealed for one of the final times on Jan. 14, as it is readied atop its transport pallet from the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, along its path to the pad ahead of the Artemis I launch. Standing in front of Orion, from left, are Kelly DeFazio, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director for production; NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik; Jules Schneider, Lockheed Martin director of Orion Assembly, Test & Launch at Kennedy; Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana; Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) manager; Cathy Koerner, Orion Program manager; Howard Hu, Orion Program deputy manager; Tony Antonelli, Lockheed Martin Orion Program director and Artemis II mission director; and Scott Wilson, Orion Production Office manager. Teams across the globe have worked tirelessly to assemble the spacecraft, which will receive a protective covering prior to departing for the Multi-Payload Processing Facility to begin ground processing by the EGS and Jacobs teams.

Members of the media attend a postlaunch news conference on Nov. 16, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after launch of Artemis I at 1:47 a.m. EST from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B. Participants were Jackie McGuiness, NASA Communications; Bill Nelson, NASA administrator; Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters; Mike Bolger, Exploration Ground Systems Program manager, Kennedy; John Honeycutt, Space Launch System Program manager, Marshall; Howard Hu, Orion Program manager, NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Emily Nelson, chief flight director, Johnson. The first in a series of increasingly complex missions, Artemis I will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary goal of Artemis I is to thoroughly test the integrated systems before crewed missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, testing Orion’s heat shield, and recovering the crew module after reentry, descent, and splashdown.

Employees meet three of the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed flight paving the way for future lunar surface missions. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present. Awards were given to employees that participated in Orion for Artemis I on September 11, 2024. General David Stringer accepts an award. The crew of four astronauts will lift off on an approximately 10-day mission from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, blazing beyond Earth’s grasp atop the agency’s mega Moon rocket. The crew will check out Orion’s systems and perform a targeting demonstration test relatively close to Earth before venturing around the Moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Sara Lowthian-Hanna)

Employees meet three of the four astronauts who will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed flight paving the way for future lunar surface missions. Commander Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be on hand to discuss their upcoming mission and participate in a Question and Answer session with employees afterward. Hansen is an astronaut with the Canadian Space Agency. Victor Glover, the pilot and fourth crew member, will not be present. Awards were given to employees that participated in Orion for Artemis I. The crew of four astronauts will lift off on an approximately 10-day mission from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, blazing beyond Earth’s grasp atop the agency’s mega Moon rocket. The crew will check out Orion’s systems and perform a targeting demonstration test relatively close to Earth before venturing around the Moon.