Technicians are installing the orbital maneuvering system engine nozzle and heat shield onto the Artemis 2 European Service Module. These technicians are preparing for the launch mission that will send astronauts into deep space.

The Artemis 2 flight will mark the first time the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft carry a crew.

NASA's Artemis 2 mission is planned to send four astronauts to the Moon, have them fly around it, and return safely to Earth.

This mission represents a major test for NASA and its numerous contractors. These include Boeing, responsible for developing the core stage of the massive SLS rocket, and Lockheed Martin, which is developing the Orion crew capsule.

This mission will be the first crewed flight of the Artemis series and will also be the farthest human spaceflight with a crew since the final mission of the Apollo lunar program in 1972. The following are the key components of the vehicles supporting this flight.

Orion Spacecraft Developed by Lockheed Martin, the capsule contains the living and working area for the astronauts. The service module, which provides propulsion and power for the spacecraft, was developed by the European Space Agency, with Airbus serving as the prime contractor.

Solid Rocket Boosters The SLS solid rocket boosters, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, stand as tall as a 17-story building. During the ascent phase, they burn over 11,000 pounds of propellant per second. The boosters separate from the core stage shortly after liftoff.

Engines Four engines are mounted at the base of the rocket. Together with the boosters, they propel the SLS rocket off the launchpad. These engines, manufactured by L3Harris, are 14 feet tall, with each producing approximately 500,000 pounds of thrust.

Manufacturing hardware for the Artemis program has been challenging. NASA's Inspector General has repeatedly criticized supplier performance and the oversight methods of officials. Several scheduled launches for the program have been delayed.

NASA has invested heavily in the Artemis program. In 2021, the Inspector General estimated that NASA's spending on the program over the years would reach $93 billion. It was also stated that the cost for each of the early Artemis missions would be approximately $4 billion per flight.