Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Ryan Ewing, Juliane Gross, and Debra Needham, discuss lunar geography ahead of the translunar injection burn that accelerated the Orion spacecraft to break free of Earth’s orbit and began the outbound trajectory toward the Moon. They are in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) a back room that supports lunar science and planetary observations for the Artemis science officer in the mission’s main flight control room. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams.
The Artemis II lunar science team gathers for a kickoff meeting before working on the lunar targeting plan for the crew's lunar flyby. The Lunar Targeting Plan is the Artemis II crew's Moon observing assignment, and is fine-tuned to the exact lighting conditions on the Moon’s surface when the Artemis II crew flies by. Like a spacewalk plan, it provides strong, detailed guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. Targets are prioritized based on both their science value and their visibility at the time of observation. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Crew lunar observations team member, Sara Schmidt, left, asset manager, Luke McSherry, and Artemis deputy lunar science lead, Jacob Richardson work in the Science Evaluation Room (SER). Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II crew lunar observations team member, David Charney, monitors the mission from the Science Evaluation Room (SER). Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II crew lunar observations team member, Alex Stoken, monitors the mission from the Science Evaluation Room (SER). Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Jared Ralleta, Artemis II lunar science team member, reacts to the lunar flyby crew observations in the Science Evaluation Room (SER). Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Science evaluation room communicator, Kiarre Dumes, left, and deputy lunar science lead Marie Henderson work in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) during Artemis II. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
A view inside the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SER supports lunar science and planetary observations for the Artemis science officer in the mission’s main flight control room. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Bill Stafford
Artemis lunar science team member, Aaron Regberg, works in the Science Mission Operations Room, where scientists analyzed imagery and audio recordings of lunar observations captured by the Artemis II astronauts during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026.
Artemis lunar science team members, from left, Alexandra Constantinou, and David Hollibaugh-Baker, work in the Science Mission Operations Room at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. They are analyzing imagery and audio recordings of lunar observations captured by the Artemis II astronauts during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026.
From left, Artemis II deputy lunar science lead, Jacob Richardson, science officer and lunar science lead, Kelsey Young, and deputy lunar science lead, Marie Henderson, discuss the team’s final preparations for the lunar flyby. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/ Robert Markowitz
Artemis science officer, Angela Garcia, left and lunar science team member, Kiarre Dumes discuss science operations in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SER supports lunar science and planetary observations for the Artemis science officer in the mission’s main flight control room. Dumes serves as the SERCOMM, or Science Evaluation Room Communicator, acting as the singular voice from the science team in the back room, reporting to the science officer. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II deputy lunar science lead, Marie Henderson, reacts to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6, 2026. Along with other lunar science team members, Henderson helped train the astronauts in geology both in the classroom and in the field. The team also built the lunar targeting plan that, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team members, in the foreground from left: Amber Turner and Jared Ralleta in the center. Standing up behind Turner is Jacob Richardson, and sitting behind and to the right, of Ralleta, are Ryan Watkins in the front, and Debra Needham behind her. The SER supports the Artemis science officer in the mission’s main flight control room. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II deputy lunar science lead Marie Henderson, shown standing on the left, and lunar science team members, from the right foreground, Ariel Deutsch, Maria Banks behind her, Ryan Watkins to her right, and Sara Schmidt in the checkered jacket. In this image they are reacting to astronauts' observations of Moon features during their flyby on April 6, 2026. Leading up to the flight, the science team has been training the astronauts in in the classroom and in the field. They also built the lunar targeting plan that, like a spacewalk plan on the International Space Station, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of various lunar areas and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II deputy lunar science lead, Jacob Richardson, left, and Artemis II lunar science team members, Kiarre Dumes, react to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6, 2026. Along with other lunar science team members, Richardson and Dumes helped train the crew in geology both in the classroom and in the field. The science team also built the lunar targeting plan that, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis curation lead, Juliane Gross, reacts to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6, 2026. Along with other members of the Artemis II lunar science team, Gross helped train the Artemis II crew in geology both in the classroom and in the field. The team also built the lunar targeting plan that, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Debra Needham, Juliane Gross, and Ryan Watkins, react to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6, 2026. The science team trained the astronauts in geology and observation, both in the classroom and in the field. The team also built the lunar targeting plan that, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II deputy lunar science lead, Marie Henderson, reacts to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6, 2026. Along with other lunar science team members, Ewing helped train the crew in geology both in the classroom and in the field. The science team also built the lunar targeting plan that, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team member, Ryan Ewing, reacts to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6, 2026. Along with other lunar science team members, Ewing helped train the crew in geology both in the classroom and in the field. The science team also built the lunar targeting plan that, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team member, Ariel Deutsch, reacts to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6. The science team has spent years training the astronauts in geology and observation, both in the classroom and in the field. They also built the lunar targeting plan that, like a spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took pictures of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis curation lead, Juliane Gross, holds a lunar globe in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston. The SER supports lunar science and planetary observations for the Artemis science officer in the mission’s main flight control room. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II Lunar Science Deputy Jacob Richardson and Artemis II Lunar Science Team Member Kiarre Dumes react to the astronauts' verbal observations of the Moon during their flyby on April 6. The science team trained the astronauts in geology both in the classroom and in the field. They also built the lunar targeting plan that, like a spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took pictures of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Ernie Wright, Artemis II lunar science visualization lead, reacts to hearing the astronauts describe features of the Moon as they few by on April 6, 2026. To prepare the crew for this mission, the Artemis II lunar science team trained the astronauts in geology, both in the classroom and in the field. They also built the lunar targeting plan that, which, like an International Space Station spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took images of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Amber Turner, Jacob Richardson, Jose Hurtado, discuss the team's progress on the lunar targeting plan for the astronauts' six-hour flyby of the Moon, scheduled for April 6. As they pass the Moon, the crew will apply geology skills learned in the classroom and in Moon-like environments on Earth to photograph and describe features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly changed over time. They will note differences in color, brightness, and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand what the surface is made of and how it formed. Credits: NASA/Bill Stafford
Artemis II lunar science team member, Amber Turner, works on the lunar targeting plan for the astronauts' several-hour flyby of the Moon, scheduled for April 6. As they pass the Moon, the crew will apply geology skills learned in the classroom and in Moon-like environments on Earth to photograph and describe features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly changed over time. They will note differences in color, brightness, and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand what the surface is made of and how it formed. Credits: NASA/Bill Stafford
The Artemis II lunar science team works on the lunar targeting plan for the astronauts' several-hour flyby of the Moon, scheduled for April 6. As they pass the Moon, the crew will apply geology skills learned in the classroom and in Moon-like environments on Earth to photograph and describe features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly changed over time. They will note differences in color, brightness, and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand what the surface is made of and how it formed. Credits: NASA/Bill Stafford
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Megan Borel, and Cindy Evans, discuss the lunar targeting plan for the astronauts' several-hour flyby of the Moon, scheduled for April 6. As they pass the Moon, the crew will apply geology skills learned in the classroom and in Moon-like environments on Earth to photograph and describe features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly changed over time. They will note differences in color, brightness, and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand what the surface is made of and how it formed. Credits: NASA/Bill Stafford
The Artemis II lunar science team works on the lunar targeting plan for the astronauts' several-hour flyby of the Moon, scheduled for April 6. As they pass the Moon, the crew will apply geology skills learned in the classroom and in Moon-like environments on Earth to photograph and describe features including impact craters, ancient lava flows, and surface cracks and ridges formed as the Moon slowly changed over time. They will note differences in color, brightness, and texture, which provide clues that help scientists understand what the surface is made of and how it formed. Credits: NASA/Bill Stafford
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Alexadra Constantinou, David Hollibaugh-Baker, participate in the team’s final preparations for the lunar flyby. NASA Johnson public affairs officer, Victoria Segovia, is seen in the background. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: Credits: NASA/ Robert Markowitz
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Cindy Evans, and Wilfredo Garcia Lopez, react to crew observations during the lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Barbara Cohen, Jennifer Heldmann, and Anthony Colaprete, work in the Science Evaluation Room (SER). Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II deputy lunar science lead, Jacob Richardson, celebrates with a dance after hearing astronauts describe seeing impact flashes on the Moon during their lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. Richardson was monitoring the flyby from the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II deputy lunar science lead Marie Henderson, background, and lunar science team members, Ariel Deutsch, and Ryan Ewing, react to crew observations during the lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team member, foreground, Amber Turner, and David Hollibaugh-Baker, and Cherie Achilles, background, participate in the team’s analysis of crew observations during the lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/ Robert Markowitz
Artemis II lunar science team member, Juliane Gross, center, and the extended lunar science team behind her, celebrates crew observations made during the lunar flyby on April 6. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis II lunar science team members, from left, Ryan Ewing, and Barbara Cohen, react to crew observations during the lunar flyby on April 6, 2026. The team worked in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Built specifically for Artemis missions with these science priorities in mind, the SER is equipped to support rapid data interpretation, collaborative analysis, real-time decision making, and seamless coordination between the science and operations teams. Credits: NASA/Luna Posadas Nava
Artemis science officers, from left, Angela Garcia and Kelsey Young, watch the lunar science team celebrating in the Science Evaluation Room (SER) as they hear lunar observations from the Artemis II crew. The science team has spent years training the astronauts in geology and observation, both in the classroom and in the field. They also built the lunar targeting plan that, like a spacewalk plan, provides strong, detailed observation guidance, plus flexibility for the crew to make decisions based on what they’re seeing and experiencing in real time. The science team had many moments of celebration during the lunar flyby as the astronauts took pictures of the Moon and provided verbal descriptions of what they were seeing. This type of information reveals the geologic history of an area and will be critical to collect when future Artemis astronauts explore the Moon's surface. Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz
Artemis II science officers, Trevor Graff, background, and Kelsey Young are seen monitoring mission data in real-time from the Science console in the White Flight Control Room in Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Science officers are the senior flight controllers responsible for lunar science and geology objectives during Artemis missions. Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz