Helping the astronauts of Artemis II speak to the folks on Earth is the Deep Space Network, operated out of Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

Artemis II will test NASA’s crew capabilities in deep space and gather more information that could ultimately help send astronauts to Mars.

A rare radioactive isotope stands between NASA and its next generation of deep-space exploration. Plutonium-238, the fuel that powers spacecraft venturing too far from the Sun for solar panels to work,

Artemis II is scheduled to blast off this week, but a former astronaut and heat-shield expert has major concerns.

Nasa is on track to launch its Artemis II mission in April which will be tracked by Goonhilly Earth Station, near Helston.

The spacecraft can accommodate four astronauts—one more than Apollo—and offers greater internal volume, allowing for extended missions.

NASA’s Artemis II will send four astronauts around the Moon, the first crewed deep-space mission in more than 50 years. The mission builds on decades of U.S. space exploration, from post-WWII rocket development to Apollo and Artemis programs.

To celebrate NASA’s planned launch of Artemis II – the first crewed test flight on the agency’s journey toward a long‑term lunar presence – Krispy Kreme® is debuting a limited‑edition Artemis II Doughnut, launching just in time for this historic moment in space exploration.