NASA is inviting ground stations to passively track the Artemis II Orion spacecraft during its crewed lunar flyby, seeking observations that can help assess commercial and non-government capabilities for deep-space tracking. The opportunity is outlined by the agency’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program and follows a similar effort during Artemis I. Details are available on the agency’s announcement page: NASA announcement.
What NASA Is Asking
Participants are asked to receive Orion’s downlink signal during key phases of the mission and provide observation data such as signal acquisition times and measured changes in the received radio signal. This is a receive-only activity; stations do not transmit to the spacecraft.
- Primary coverage: NASA’s Near Space Network and Deep Space Network remain the mission’s official communications and tracking backbone.
- Objective: Characterize non-government tracking capabilities to inform a commercial-first approach for future missions.
- Precedent: During Artemis I in 2022, ten volunteer organizations successfully tracked the uncrewed Orion on its journey past the Moon and back.
Who Should Respond
The call is open to international space agencies, academic institutions, commercial companies, nonprofits, and experienced private operators capable of deep-space signal reception. Submissions are due by the response deadline: Oct. 27, 5 p.m. EDT.
Mission Context
Artemis II is the first crewed flight of NASA’s Artemis campaign. The approximately 10-day mission will send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen around the Moon and return them to Earth. The flight is targeted for no later than April 2026.
Why It Matters
By augmenting government tracking with independent observations, NASA aims to validate technologies, improve situational awareness, and reduce risk for future lunar and Mars missions. Insights from community participation are expected to strengthen the communications and navigation infrastructure that supports human deep-space exploration.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Mission: Artemis II crewed lunar flyby aboard Orion.
- Duration: ~10 days, targeted no later than April 2026.
- Primary networks: Near Space Network and Deep Space Network.
- Call: Passive reception of Orion’s signal; submit observation data.
- Deadline: Oct. 27, 5 p.m. EDT.
- Program office: NASA SCaN, which manages agency-wide space communications and navigation.
For participation details and submission instructions, see the official announcement: NASA announcement.
