Artemis I requires a specific launch window based on orbital mechanics and lighting conditions.
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Official mission documentation and technical papers from NASA and ESA confirm that Artemis I launch windows are determined by complex orbital mechanics, Earth-Moon alignment, and precise trajectory requirements.
Artemis I Mission Availability - NASA
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Rachel H. Kraft
May 16, 2022
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Note: This web feature was updated June 17, 2022 to reflect the latest mission availability dates and calendar.
When Artemis I is ready to launch, a range of personnel from NASA, industry, and several international partners will be poised to support the mission. Before they get to launch day, the alignment of the Earth and Moon will determine when the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the uncrewed Orion spacecraft atop it can launch, along with several criteria for rocket and spacecraft performance.
To determine potential launch dates, engineers identified key constraints required to accomplish the mission and keep the spacecraft safe. The resulting launch periods are the days or weeks where the spacecraft and rocket can meet mission objectives. These launch periods account for the complex orbital mechanics involved in launching on a precise trajectory toward the Moon while the Earth is rotating on its axis and the Moon is orbiting Earth each month in its lunar cycle. This results in a pattern of approximately two weeks of launch opportunities, followed by two weeks w
Launching to the Moon: Artemis I launch options – Orion blog
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# Launching to the Moon: Artemis I launch options
- access_time 18/05/2022
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When Artemis I is ready to launch, personnel from NASA, ESA, industry, and international partners will be poised to support the mission, but the rocket cannot liftoff at any time. The alignment of the Earth and Moon determines when the Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket with the uncrewed Orion spacecraft can launch, along with several criteria for rocket and spacecraft performance.
To achieve all the objectives of the mission, mission control needs to consider the complex orbital mechanics involved in launching on a precise trajectory toward the Moon while Earth rotates on its axis and the Moon orbiting Earth.
Generally there are two weeks of launch opportunities, followed by two weeks without launch opportunities.
SLS moon rocket on launchpad. Credits: ESA-M. Cowan
Launch parameters
There are four primary parameters that dictate a launch possibility:
1. The launch day must account for the Moon’s position in its lunar cycle so that the SLS rocket’s
AAS 20-649
##### ARTEMIS I TRAJECTORY DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION
Amelia L. Batcha∗, Jacob Williams†, Timothy F. Dawn‡, Jeffrey P. Gutkowski§, Maxon V. Widner¶, Sarah L. Smallwoodk, Brian J. Killeen∗∗, Elizabeth C. Williams††, and Robert E. Harpold‡‡
This paper presents the overall trajectory design and optimization process for NASA’s Artemis I mission to send an uncrewed Orion vehicle to a lunar Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO). The on-orbit trajectory begins at the Space Launch Sys tem (SLS) core separation and ends at the Orion service module Earth Entry In terface (EI) point. The details of the trajectory optimization process are presented, including design of nominal and extended mission options, launch windows, and abort options. Novel design techniques are also discussed to account for contin gencies, such as using auxiliary thrusters to protect against main engine failure and applying trajectory shaping to mitigate or reduce eclipse durations.
INTRODUCTION Artemis I is the mission formerly known as Exploration Mission 1.1, 2 It will be the first integrated test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.3 The Artemis program is the foundation for sust
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