Topic: [Discuss] NASA's Artemis II mission (Orion)
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3472 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 03-09-2023 05:26 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...the crew of Artemis II will be named on Monday, April 3, 2023.
My guess, based on seniority:
Jeremy Hansen from Canada. Joe Acaba is out (chief astronaut), Kjell Lindgren just got back, Scott Tingle will be back. That leaves Stephanie Wilson as most senior astronaut.
Of the remaining male astronauts, Matthew Dominick and Johnny Kim haven't flown. The rest have just flown or are on orbit. So Dominick, Kim, Wilson and Hansen.
The only change I would make is if NASA wants a woman to step foot on the moon. In that case, Wilson would make the landing, Kathleen Rubins on Artemis II, again based on seniority.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1355 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 03-09-2023 06:32 PM
Will a backup crew be named as well?
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3472 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 03-09-2023 07:20 PM
My thoughts on a backup crew: Jenni Sidey-Gibbons backing up Hansen, as David Saint-Jacques already has a flight under him, and because of politics (over Joshua Kutryk). Or if we're not doing straight country matchups, Alexander Gerst backing up Hansen, as he has slight seniority over Luca Parmitano (Gerst last flew in 2018, Parmitano in 2020).
Wilson-Rubins backing each other up, depending on who gets called for Artemis II.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-10-2023 11:23 AM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...the crew of Artemis II will be named on Monday, April 3, 2023.
More details released by NASA today:
The announcement will be made from Johnson Space Center's Ellington Field in Houston.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT).
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1769 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 03-10-2023 03:52 PM
Randolph Bresnik Stephanie Wilson Anne McClain Jeremy Hansen
Backup Crew: Reid Wiseman Christina Hammock Koch Kate Rubins Joshua Kutryk
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3472 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 03-10-2023 08:36 PM
quote:Originally posted by Delta7: Randolph Bresnik
Really, they should save Bresnik for a landing just so Houston can say, "Komrade! Welcome to the moon!"
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3778 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 03-13-2023 08:48 AM
I'm sure every active and eligible astronaut would be proud and delighted to be selected for Artemis 2, the first mission to the Moon since Apollo 17, 50 years ago.
And yet... and yet... in his or her heart of hearts would there not be a small voice saying, "Damn! I was hoping for Artemis 3!"
brianjbradley Member
Posts: 183 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2010
posted 03-13-2023 09:30 AM
My Artemis II crew guess: Reid Wiseman (CDR) Anne McClain (PLT) Stephanie Wilson (MS1) Jeremy Hansen (MS2)
Back-up crew: Randy Bresnik Nick Hague (just back from assignment to Washington) Christina Koch Joshua Kutryk
NukeGuy Member
Posts: 121 From: Irvine, CA USA Registered: May 2014
posted 03-14-2023 03:30 PM
I think Artemis 2 is much more certain than Artemis 3, which may never happen.
Orion is in the state of the CSM of Apollo 7. Good so far.
Hard to say how Lunar Starship status compares to the LM. Almost like a Saturn V development with the need to demonstrate LEO refueling. Maybe 1965?
Problem is the US government is not anywhere near the shape it was in during the 1960s when it devoted enormous resources to Apollo with Vietnam War spending starting to intrude.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 503 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 03-17-2023 04:49 PM
Will NASA likely select a veteran astronaut to command Artemis II?
Space Cadet Carl Member
Posts: 305 From: Lake Orion, MI Registered: Feb 2006
posted 03-26-2023 07:08 PM
quote:Originally posted by NukeGuy: I think Artemis 2 is much more certain than Artemis 3, which may never happen.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with this speculation. The Orion spacecraft portion of Artemis 3 seems ready to go, but can someone in the know please give us a vote of confidence that the lunar landing hardware portion of Artemis 3 is coming along toward a 2025 or 2026 goal?
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5414 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-26-2023 07:15 PM
quote:Originally posted by NukeGuy: Problem is the US government is not anywhere near the shape it was in during the 1960s when it devoted enormous resources to Apollo with Vietnam War spending starting to intrude.
Agreed. The squeeze is on going forward with debt ceiling and budget cut debates and an emerging consensus that national security issues are rising in prominence given adversary threats. Very difficult choices are looming and Artemis schedule unfortunately may be held at additional risk as a consequence.
The one potential incentive to hold to the schedule is competition with the Chinese who are aggressively pursuing a footprint on the Lunar Surface and in CisLunar Space.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1769 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 03-31-2023 07:16 PM
My final crew prediction:
Reid Wiseman Stephanie Wilson Jonny Kim Jeremy Hansen.
Although not included in the announcement, Randolph Bresnick and Christina Hammock Koch will train as backups, and eventually be assigned to make the Artemis III lunar landing.
astro-nut Member
Posts: 1058 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
posted 04-01-2023 04:41 PM
My estimated crew selection is Commander: Randy Bresnik or Reid Wiseman. Pilot: Victor Glover or Anne McClain. Mission Specialist-1: Stephanie Wilson. Mission Specialist-2: Jeremy Hansen (CSA).
I say Randy Bresnik might be commander due to him following the development of Orion capsule. Reid Wiseman also has a great chance as commander, since just finishing up duties as Chief Astronaut and he is due for a second flight.
Just my guess and we will find out on Monday.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-03-2023 07:16 AM
NASA live video
Meet the four astronauts who will take a trip around the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft on their approximately 10-day Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight test and a critical step toward establishing a long-term human presence on the moon.
NASA and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) will reveal the three NASA astronauts and one CSA astronaut during an event at 11 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. CDT) on Monday, April 3, from NASA Johnson Space Center's Ellington Field in Houston.
brianjbradley Member
Posts: 183 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-03-2023 11:29 AM
All great news. I still have goosebumps. I wonder who the backup crew members will be?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-03-2023 11:33 AM
Per NASA, there are no backup crew members.
For those who missed the announcement, the Artemis II crew is:
Commander Reid Wiseman
Pilot Victor Glover
Mission Specialist Christina Koch
Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen
Hansen is representing the Canadian Space Agency. His flight was arranged under the "Canada-U.S. Gateway Treaty" signed in 2020.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1769 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 04-03-2023 11:43 AM
Congrats to the crew!
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3125 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 04-03-2023 12:23 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Per NASA, there are no backup crew members.
Well, I hope no one gets hit by a bus then. I am assuming if someone gets a non-life threatening illness they will just wait it out.
By the way, it is cool that the Canadian was born in what I call my home town.
Tom Member
Posts: 1755 From: New York Registered: Nov 2000
posted 04-03-2023 12:25 PM
Did NASA give a reason for NOT assigning a back-up crew for Artemis II?
Rocketman! unregistered
posted 04-03-2023 12:27 PM
Very exciting! I particularly appreciated the messages of unity and togetherness for the world and the US.
By the way, I couldn't help thinking how very different the vibe was compared to the announcement of the original Mercury astronauts in 1959.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1769 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 04-03-2023 12:53 PM
quote:Originally posted by brianjbradley: I still have goosebumps. I wonder who the backup crew members will be?
My guess is that at least a couple of astronauts will be unofficial backup crew members, whose training will allow them to step in for the mission as well as line them up for subsequent prime crew assignment. Randolph Bresnick comes to mind. And if NASA is determined that a Canadian will be on the flight even if something happens to Hansen, they'd have someone in training to step in. Josh Kutryk has a similar background to Hansen. I'm guessing that Jennie Sidey Gibbons will fly the next Canadian ISS increment.
We just probably won't see official backup crew announcements like during the Apollo days, and maybe won't know who the alternative crewmembers were until someone writes a book years later.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1769 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 04-03-2023 12:57 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: Astronaut Stan Love said today (Feb. 13) he will be serving as one of the capcoms for the Artemis II mission.
Interesting that there was a tweet last week about Stan Love and Raja Chari undergoing helicopter training together for Artemis. Love has been a Management Astronaut for over a decade. I can't see him doing this unless he has plans to return to active flight status.
brianjbradley Member
Posts: 183 From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Registered: Dec 2010
posted 04-03-2023 01:11 PM
I saw that too (Love on helicopter training). Then figured trainers and flight directors undergo ISS training, NOLS, etc., so some of those working back end of the Artemis program should know some of the flying intricacies the helicopter course would teach.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 503 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 04-03-2023 02:01 PM
My congrats to the crew selection of Artemis-II; would it be of NASA wise to select a back-up crew if one of the astronaut could not fly?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-03-2023 02:33 PM
I have asked again (I am at Johnson Space Center today) and have been told that no back-up crew members will be assigned and at present there are no plans for other astronauts to shadow or train with the Artemis II crew.
No specific reason was given for the lack of backups, other than there being a full slate of activities for the others to do in support of other missions and activities.
OV-105 Member
Posts: 921 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
posted 04-03-2023 04:21 PM
I am kinda surprised there is no back up crew. It will be interesting to see if something doesn’t happen later on. We are still 18/19 months away from launch.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1355 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 04-03-2023 07:58 PM
Have there been any reactions or statements from Frank Borman, Jim Lovell or Bill Anders about today's announcement?
Philip Member
Posts: 6284 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 04-04-2023 03:24 AM
Exciting mission but... Mission to "Deep Space" was the wrong term here. The edge of our Solar System isn't even Deep Space! The nearest Star at 4.2 light years isn't even Deep Space!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-04-2023 08:50 AM
For human spaceflight purposes, "deep space" is the region beyond Earth orbit and cislunar space. The term is less a description of distance as it is a reference to the type of environment and the logistics needed by astronauts when flying there.
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1490 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 04-04-2023 10:57 AM
NASA designated the three spacewalks conducted by the CMPs on Apollos 15 to 17 on the return trips to earth as 'Deep Space EVAs.'
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-04-2023 11:30 AM
Following their announcement on Monday (April 3), the newly-named Artemis II crew were guests of the NCAA.
During tonight's National Championship game, the four NASA astronauts who will fly the 2024 Artemis II mission around the moon were honored.
SpaceAngel Member
Posts: 503 From: Maryland Registered: May 2010
posted 04-04-2023 02:33 PM
Is Artemis-II considered as shakedown or a commerical flight; due to the fact that its carry a four person crew?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-04-2023 02:57 PM
I think you mean shakedown or operational, but regardless, it is shakedown or test flight. Orion will spend its first day in high Earth orbit testing the life support, communication and navigation systems, as well as performing a proximity operations demonstration with the expended SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS).
Only after all those tests are complete and deemed successful, will Artemis II get a "go" for trans-lunar injection using the European service module's main engine.
onesmallstep Member
Posts: 1490 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
posted 04-04-2023 02:59 PM
No-not a commercial flight by a long shot. NASA owns the Orion spacecraft and the ESA-designed and built service module attached to it; this is purely an engineering shakedown exploration mission to the moon in anticipation of a future landing. All its crew are career astronauts, unlike for example ones manned and conducted by Axiom/SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin etc.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 1399 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 04-04-2023 05:17 PM
Is it just camera angle, or is Hansen significantly taller than the other three astronauts? Does anyone know what the height limit is on Orion?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-04-2023 05:29 PM
Jeremy Hansen is indeed taller. He stands 6 feet, 2 inches.
Per NASA's Orion reference guide, the spacecraft can fit astronauts up to 6 feet, 5 inches in height.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3778 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 04-04-2023 06:06 PM
At 5 feet 13 inches, Jack Lousma would find Orion more comfortable than Apollo!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53582 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-05-2023 03:43 PM
The Artemis II crew will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight (April 5) on CBS. From Reid Wiseman (via Twitter):
A genuine moment before heading on the Late Show with Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen.
posted 03-09-2023 05:26 PM
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