NASA getting closer to Artemis II mission, Orion Crew and Service Modules joined, all RS – 25 engines installed

NASA is gearing up for the second mission of the Artemis program, the Artemis II. The Artemis II is scheduled to be launched by NASA through the Space Launch System (SLS) in November 2024. Unlike the Artemis I, the Artemis II is a crewed mission, which would have on board four astronauts. The crew would perform a flyby (passing in proximity to the moon) of the Moon.

The Artemis II is the first crewed mission after the Apollo 17 mission of 1972, that will go beyond low earth orbit.

Major Updates and Developments: In recent developments, NASA has made some significant advancements toward the proceedings of the mission.

NASA confirmed on October 19, 2023, that the Artemis II Orion Crew and Service Modules have been joined together. NASA carried out the operation in the Nel Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Flordia.

Along with this, NASA’s Space Launch System took to the social media platform X and shared new updates. According to the X post, they have successfully installed all of four RS-25 engines to the core stage for the SLS mega-rocket, which will launch the Artemis II mission.

✔️ A dynamic stage and powerful engines.

The installation of all four RS-25 engines to the core stage is now complete for the SLS mega rocket that will help launch the @NASAArtemis II mission on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon. https://t.co/SX55mCH5uD pic.twitter.com/8SF38nWIgZ

— NASA_SLS (@NASA_SLS) October 23, 2023

The scheduled Artemis II mission would have on board the following astronauts. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor J. Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen.

It is to be noted that Glover is the first person of color, Koch is the first woman and Hansen is the first non-American, who would travel to low Earth orbit.