The crew members of NASA’s upcoming Artemis 2 mission have successfully suited up together in their launch and entry suits for the first time, marking a crucial milestone in their preparation for the historic mission. The four astronauts – Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency member) – entered the Orion spacecraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on July 31.
The crew performed a suited crew test, which included powering up the Orion spacecraft with them inside, simulating life support and communications systems, and practicing activities such as stowing launch equipment. This testing aims to ensure the crew is ready for any scenario during their 10-day mission around the moon and back.
Astronaut Christina Koch described the experience as “absolutely phenomenal” and emphasized the importance of teamwork. “When you’re in your launch and entry suits, you’re with the crew you’re going to be on the pad with,” she said. The Artemis 2 crew is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 2026, following the success of NASA’s previous Artemis 1 mission.
The Artemis 2 mission has set a high bar for success, given its connection to the successful Artemis 1 mission and the historic Apollo 17 and Apollo 13 missions. As Koch noted, “Ever since we were chosen as crew – and it’s been on posters around all the centers – that in some ways, the huge success of Artemis 1 is actually something we need to think about as a risk or even a threat to Artemis 2.” The crew must maintain vigilance and ask hard questions to ensure another successful mission.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/artemis-2-moon-astronauts-suit-up-and-enter-their-orion-spacecraft-together-for-1st-time