For the first time in 53 years, the United States plans to launch a crewed lunar orbiter on April 2.

After more than half a century, the United States is once again attempting to send astronauts to lunar orbit. The success or failure of this milestone mission is not only tied to the progress of NASA’s deep space exploration roadmap but will also directly impact the commercial space industry chain surrounding the lunar economy.

According to CCTV News, NASA stated on March 31 that it is proceeding in an orderly manner with the final preparations before launch. According to the schedule, the launch of the “Artemis 2” mission will not occur earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1 (6:24 a.m. Beijing Time on April 2). At that time, the next-generation U.S. lunar rocket, the “Space Launch System,” which will carry out the mission, will launch the “Orion” spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending four astronauts into lunar orbit for a 10-day circumlunar flight.

Weather forecasts indicate that the probability of weather violations during the launch window is 20%, meaning there is an 80% chance of favorable conditions for launch. NASA launch meteorologist Mark Burger said at a press conference on the 31st that the weather conditions in the rocket ascent corridor “fully meet launch requirements,” with a risk probability of only 9%, which is considered a “very ideal” state.

Return to deep space after 53 years—the mission is of profound significance

“Artemis 2” is the first U.S. attempt since 1972 to send astronauts beyond low Earth orbit into deep space. It has been over 53 years since the last crewed lunar landing mission. This mission also marks the first crewed flight of the “Orion” spacecraft.

The four astronauts participating in this mission are: NASA astronaut and mission commander Reid Wiseman; NASA astronauts Victor Glover and Christina Koch; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The four will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft named “Integrity,” operating near the Moon’s orbit, and are expected to directly observe regions of the Moon’s far side that humans have never seen with their own eyes.

NASA Deputy Administrator Amit Kshatriya stated before launch: “The spacecraft is ready, the systems are ready, and the crew is ready. Behind this flight is an entire set of plans—lunar landing, lunar base, and deep-space nuclear propulsion. All of this begins on Wednesday, not ends.”

Launch procedures and subsequent key milestones

A countdown exceeding 49 hours officially began at 4:44 p.m. Eastern Time on March 30. The launch window is two hours, and the SLS rocket stands at 322 feet (about 98 meters).

According to the plan, about 20 minutes after launch, the four solar arrays on the European service module will deploy to power the spacecraft. Approximately 49 minutes after liftoff, the upper stage will perform a perigee raise maneuver to place Orion into an elliptical orbit; then, about an hour later, it will execute an apogee raise maneuver to enter a high Earth orbit.

On the second day of flight, a critical decision point will be reached: NASA will evaluate the spacecraft and crew status and decide whether to execute the Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) ignition, officially setting the course for the Moon. During the mission, astronauts will also perform manual driving demonstrations to verify Orion’s maneuvering capabilities needed for docking with future Blue Origin and SpaceX lunar landers.

The deep space radiation environment data and flight experience accumulated during this mission will provide vital support for NASA’s subsequent plans for crewed lunar landings and lunar base construction.

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