NASA's Artemis II, the first crewed flight beyond Earth orbit in over 50 years, is scheduled to launch no earlier than April 1-2, 2025.
Mission Overview
Four astronauts will embark on an approximately 10-day journey orbiting the Moon aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. Artemis II is NASA's first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The mission will test the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft systems in deep space. The crew's responsibilities include observing the Moon to collect data for future missions and scientific research, including studies related to Earth's climate and human origins. Astronauts will not land on the Moon during this mission.
Australian Communication Support
Radio Communications via the Deep Space Network
The CSIRO's Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) at Tidbinbilla is one of three global Deep Space Network (DSN) stations supporting Artemis II. According to CDSCC director Kevin Ferguson, the DSN will manage 95 percent of communications from the mission. The complex operates in conjunction with facilities in the United States and Spain to maintain contact with the spacecraft.
The CSIRO's Murriyang radio telescope in Parkes was utilized as a ground station network to provide additional tracking and data transmission capabilities. CSIRO astronomer John Sarkissian stated that Murriyang passively tracked Artemis II as part of Intuitive Machines' ground station network, marking the first crewed mission the telescope has supported since Apollo 17.
The CSIRO Mobile Mission Operations Centre supported remote mission operations from a location adjacent to satellites. CSIRO engineer Craig James described this as the mobile centre's first full mission support.
Optical Communications via the Quantum Optical Ground Station
The ANU's Quantum Optical Ground Station (QOGS) at Mount Stromlo Observatory is designated to track the Orion spacecraft and manage communication transmissions and receptions during a laser communications demonstration. The facility will receive signals from NASA's laser communication terminal on the Orion spacecraft and convert them into usable data.
Laser communication systems can achieve data rates up to 100 times faster than traditional radio-based methods.
Laser communications use infrared light to transmit data, including high-definition video, images, voice, and scientific information. NASA's primary optical ground stations are located at the White Sands Complex in New Mexico and on Table Mountain in Southern California. The partnership with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) enables the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System to also downlink data to the QOGS during the mission.
ANU researchers at Mount Stromlo will collaborate with teams from NASA's Glenn Research Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center. Professor Francis Bennet, who leads the Australian project for Artemis II, stated that the university has been working with NASA teams to develop Southern Hemisphere capability to support NASA's future optical communication requirements.
Funding and Institutional Involvement
The QOGS lunar communications system is supported by a $4.5 million investment from the Australian Space Agency through its Moon to Mars Demonstrator Mission Grant program. The establishment of the QOGS at ANU received funding from the ACT Government, CSIRO, and the ANU Institute for Space. Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, confirmed the agency's support for the development of this capability at ANU.
Broader Australian Space Role
Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg highlighted Australia's role in space exploration, drawing parallels to its support during the Apollo era. Australia's involvement in future Artemis missions, including a planned lunar rover for 2030, is expected to continue.