The Orion spacecraft for Artemis II, the first crewed mission towards the Moon in over 50 years, is now fully assembled and ready for the next steps ahead of launch. 

Last week, Orion was moved from the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Facility, where it was assembled and tested, to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team. This handover marks the transition from assembly to launch preparations.

On 3 May, the fully assembled Orion spacecraft for Artemis II began its journey to the Multi-Payload Processing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft is shown in transport, with its protective fairing panels clearly visible and proudly bearing the ESA and NASA logos. Credit: NASA-K. Shiflett

Orion during its journey on 3 May, with its protective fairing panels clearly visible and proudly bearing the ESA and NASA logos. Credit: NASA-K. Shiflett

Europe powers Orion 

A central element of the spacecraft is ESA’s European Service Module, developed by European industry and led by Airbus. The module supplies propulsion, electrical power, thermal control and life-support essentials for the astronauts, making it crucial for Orion’s performance and the safety of the crew.

The European Service Module, which propels NASA’s Orion spacecraft, is integrated at Airbus in Bremen.

The solar arrays of the European Service Module during the Artemis I mission. Credit: NASA

Engineers have been busy with the second European Service Module since its arrival at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. In late 2023, it was connected to the crew module and powered on for the first time. In early 2024, the spacecraft underwent electromagnetic and vacuum testing in a historic chamber originally used during the Apollo programme.

After completing electromagnetic compatibility and interference testing, the Artemis II Orion spacecraft is lifted out of the west altitude chamber via crane inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Credit: NASA-A. Stevenson

Orion being lifted out of the altitude chamber inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida after electromagnetic testing in April 2024. Credit: NASA-A. Stevenson

Orion’s four solar wings – built and installed by European engineers – were added in March. These wings that will provide electricity during the 10-day mission around the Moon are now safely folded behind three protective fairing panels bearing the ESA and NASA logos.

Solar arrays installed on NASA's Artemis II Orion spacecraft inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, early March 2025. Credit: Lockheed Martin

Solar arrays installed on NASA’s Artemis II Orion spacecraft inside the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, early March 2025. Credit: Lockheed Martin

Countdown to launch 

Orion is now located in the Multi-Payload Processing Facility, just a few kilometres from where it was assembled. Here, the spacecraft will be loaded with propellant, high-pressure gases, coolants and other fluids for its journey.

Orion propulstion. Credits: ESA

Orion propulstion. Credits: ESA

After fuelling, the Artemis II crew will enter the spacecraft to test their flight suits and onboard systems. Next, Orion will be fitted with its Launch Abort System, designed to carry the crew to safety in the event of an emergency during launch. Finally, the spacecraft will be transported to the Vehicle Assembly Building to be stacked on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket.

SLS, the mega Moon rocket used for Artemis missions, seen inside the Vehicle Assembly Building before the launch of Artemis 1. Credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

SLS, the mega Moon rocket used for Artemis missions, seen inside the Vehicle Assembly Building before the launch of Artemis 1.
Credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

With this milestone, Europe’s contribution to Artemis II is one step closer to flying astronauts around the Moon.