28 May 2025

NASA continues to make steady progress preparing the spacecraft that will carry astronauts toward the Moon to rendezvous with their lunar lander and bring them back to Earth on Artemis III. Technicians recently powered on the Artemis III Orion crew module for the first time inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a key milestone in the work being done to prepare for the next Americans to walk on the Moon.

This initial power on marked the startup of the crew module’s two vehicle management computers and six power and data units, which are responsible for commanding vehicle subsystems. The spacecraft will continue to undergo additional assessments throughout the summer including testing the display units, hand controllers, and audio systems that astronauts will use on their journey to the Moon. Once functional testing is complete, the crew module prop system will undergo proof pressure and leak testing. Proof pressure and leak tests ensure it can safely withstand the rigors of space.

The Artemis III service module, provided by ESA (European Space Agency), is also undergoing testing in the same facility. In May, engineers completed crew module adapter and environmental control and life support systems proof pressure and leak testing. Engineers expect to power on the service module’s avionics systems and controllers in the fall.  

Following initial power on of both the Artemis III crew module and service module, technicians will continue assembling the two elements and carry out additional testing, including thermal and acoustic tests, before the modules are connected in 2026.

This work to prepare for Artemis III continues as NASA moves closer to final preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed mission under Artemis, a 10-day journey by four astronauts around the Moon and back. Through Artemis, NASA will send astronauts to explore the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and build the foundation for the first crewed missions to Mars.

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Technicians work on Artemis III Orion crew module on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians will continue assembling and testing the crew module and service module before integration in 2026.