ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the ANU Institute for Space is partnering with NASA as it prepares to send astronauts back to the moon
Shared from ANU On Campus.
The ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the ANU Institute for Space is partnering with NASA as it prepares to send astronauts back to the moon as part of the Artemis II mission – the space agency’s first crewed mission beyond Earth’s orbit in more than 50 years.
NASA will fly an optical (laser) communications system aboard the Orion spacecraft to test the technology’s operational utility to support human spaceflight operations.
In support of the demonstration, the ANU Quantum Optical Ground Station (QOGS) at Mount Stromlo Observatory will track, transmit and receive communications from Orion. This unique opportunity will test optical ground station capabilities with the potential to support future lunar-based missions for NASA.
The 10-day Artemis II test flight is scheduled for no earlier than Thursday 2 April Canberra time. Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits and to build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars
Image: The Orion spacecraft is currently at Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo: Credit: Sam Lott/NASA.