NASA Astronauts Set to Take Manual Control of Orion Spacecraft for Artemis II
Breaking new ground in human spaceflight, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover are preparing to manually steer the Orion spacecraft during the upcoming Artemis II mission. This crucial mission marks the first time the spacecraft will be flown by a crew around the Moon, highlighting the astronauts’ critical role in piloting advanced space technology.
Shared in a special announcement on World Pilots’ Day, Wiseman and Glover described how they are training to manually operate Orion’s flight systems. Though Orion is designed to fly autonomously, NASA is ensuring the crew is fully prepared to take control when needed, especially during key mission phases.
The Artemis II mission is a cornerstone of NASA’s broader Artemis program, aimed at establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon and paving the way for future crewed missions to Mars. This mission will serve as the first crewed test flight of Orion and the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, offering critical experience before lunar surface landings resume.
Inside Orion’s advanced cockpit, astronauts will practice manual operations to refine their responses to potential system anomalies or unexpected conditions. This capability provides an essential backup to automated systems, reinforcing mission safety and crew confidence.
Through extensive simulations and training sessions, Wiseman and Glover are mastering the complex flight procedures they may need during their journey. Their efforts embody NASA’s commitment to combining cutting-edge technology with human expertise, ensuring the success of deep space exploration.
Artemis II will not only be a major milestone for NASA but will also showcase the extraordinary skill of astronauts as they venture farther from Earth than any human crew has traveled in over half a century.
