The Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity has officially been named by NASA’s four-person crew, marking a significant milestone in humanity’s return to lunar exploration. This historic announcement, made during a September 24, 2025 news conference, establishes the identity of the spacecraft that will carry astronauts farther from Earth than any human has traveled in over 50 years.
Key Highlights:
- The Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity was named on September 24, 2025, emphasizing values of trust, respect, candor, and humility
- The Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity is scheduled to launch no later than April 2026, with potential for an earlier February 5, 2026 launch window
- Four astronauts will embark on a 10-day lunar flyby mission aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity, including the first woman, first person of color, and first non-American to travel to the Moon
Mission Overview and Crew Preparation
The Artemis II Integrity represents NASA’s first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo era, featuring a distinguished crew of four astronauts. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency will make history aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity. This 10-day mission will take the crew on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, flying approximately 4,700 miles beyond the lunar surface before returning to Earth.
The crew selection aboard the Artemis II Integrity breaks several barriers in space exploration. Victor Glover will become the first person of color to travel to the Moon, while Christina Koch will be the first woman to make the lunar journey. Jeremy Hansen represents international cooperation as the first non-American astronaut to participate in a lunar mission, highlighting the collaborative nature of the mission featuring the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity.
NASA officials emphasize that safety remains the top priority for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity mission planning. Lakiesha Hawkins, NASA’s acting deputy associate administrator for exploration systems development, stated that the agency maintains flexibility in the launch timeline to ensure crew safety while working through operational preparations for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity.
Integrity.
— NASA (@NASA) September 24, 2025
That's what the Artemis II astronauts have decided to name their Orion spacecraft, which will take them from @NASAKennedy on their journey around the Moon and return them safely back to Earth. pic.twitter.com/EDwyOYkOeK
Significance of the “Integrity” Name Selection
The naming process for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity involved careful consideration by the crew members. Commander Reid Wiseman described the selection as a deliberative process, indicating the crew “locked themselves in” until reaching consensus on naming their spacecraft the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity. The chosen name embodies fundamental values shared across NASA, the astronaut office, and the Canadian Space Agency.
The name acknowledges the massive collaborative effort required for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity mission. NASA officials note that the spacecraft comprises more than 300,000 individual components, requiring coordination among thousands of engineers, technicians, scientists, planners, and dreamers worldwide. This extensive integration represents the foundation of trust and teamwork essential for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity mission success.
The values embedded in the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity name – trust, respect, candor, and humility – reflect the mission’s broader purpose. These principles guide not only the crew’s preparation but also the international partnerships driving the program forward. The name serves as both a commitment to excellence and recognition of the collaborative spirit defining modern space exploration with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity.
Technical Specifications and Mission Architecture
The Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity mission utilizes NASA’s most powerful rocket system, the Space Launch System (SLS), paired with the advanced Orion spacecraft. The SLS Block 1 configuration features a core stage powered by four RS-25 engines, generating approximately 25% of the vehicle’s thrust at liftoff, with two solid rocket boosters providing the remaining 75% of propulsion during the first two minutes of flight carrying the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity.
The Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity consists of three main elements designed for deep space exploration. The crew module provides the habitable environment where astronauts will live and work during their lunar journey. The European Space Agency-provided service module supplies power, propulsion, thermal control, air, and water systems for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity. The Launch Abort System ensures crew safety by providing emergency escape capability during launch.
Mission trajectory planning for the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity involves sophisticated navigation systems. The spacecraft employs star trackers, optical navigation cameras, and sun sensors to maintain precise positioning throughout the mission. After launch, the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity will orbit Earth twice before heading toward the Moon, following a carefully calculated path that uses Earth’s gravity for safe return.
The mission will test critical life support systems including oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal, evaluate communications with NASA’s Deep Space Network, and demonstrate manual maneuvering capabilities around the rocket’s upper stage for future docking operations aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity. These evaluations are essential for validating readiness for Artemis III, which aims to achieve the first lunar landing since 1972.
Program Investment and Future Mission Planning
The Artemis program represents a substantial investment in lunar exploration, with total costs projected at $93 billion through 2025. NASA’s fiscal year 2025 budget request includes $7.8 billion specifically for Artemis activities, supporting missions including the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity through Artemis XII. The budget allocates $1.0 billion for Orion capsule construction, $2.4 billion for Space Launch System development, and $758.8 million for Exploration Ground Systems.
The Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity mission serves as a crucial precursor to Artemis III, currently planned for 2027. Artemis III will mark humanity’s return to the lunar surface, specifically targeting the Moon’s South Pole region. This mission will utilize SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System to transport two astronauts to the lunar surface for approximately one week of exploration.
The technical complexity of Artemis III presents significant challenges following the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity mission. NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel has expressed concerns about SpaceX Starship’s readiness for the 2027 timeline, noting potential delays due to the complexity of the refueling system. The mission requires successful docking between Orion and Starship in lunar orbit, followed by surface operations including up to four spacewalks and scientific sampling of water ice.
Long-term Artemis program goals extend beyond lunar exploration to Mars preparation following the success of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity. The sustainable lunar presence established through Artemis missions will serve as a stepping stone for future Mars exploration. This progression represents a fundamental shift toward permanent human presence beyond Earth orbit.
Final Assessment
The naming of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity symbolizes more than crew preference – it represents the values driving humanity’s return to lunar exploration. As the crew prepares for their historic journey aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity, scheduled for no later than April 2026, the mission embodies international cooperation and technological advancement. Commander Reid Wiseman’s statement that the crew goes “for all humanity” captures the broader significance of this endeavor with the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity.
The success of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity will determine the trajectory of future lunar exploration, including the ambitious Artemis III lunar landing mission planned for 2027. With its foundation built on integrity, trust, and collaboration among thousands of contributors worldwide, the mission represents humanity’s renewed commitment to space exploration. As these four astronauts prepare to venture farther from Earth than any humans in over 50 years aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft Integrity, they carry the hopes and dreams of a new generation of explorers.
