Human Exploration 

and Operations 

Committee

NASA Advisory Council 

January 18, 2023

N. Wayne Hale, Jr.

1
2

20 Years Ago

Lesson learned from 

STS-107 are still with us
HEO Committee meetings and Focus

• HEO Committee meetings:

• Virtual Meeting Oct. 31 – Nov. 1

• Avoided impacting the Artemis I mission campaign

• HEO Committee membership

Wayne Hale (chair) Kwatsi Alibaruho

James Voss George Sowers

Doug Ebersole Ellen Stofan 

Pat Condon Lynn Cline

Mike Lopez-Alegria Nancy Ann Budden

Pat Sanders (ex officio)

3
The NASA Authorization Act passed by Congress extended America’s participation 

in the International Space Station through at least Sept. 30, 2030, enabling the U.S. 

to continue to reap the benefits for the next decade while the agency works with 

American industry to develop commercial destinations and markets for a thriving 

space economy.

This was the 22nd continuous year of human presence aboard the orbiting 

laboratory. 

Here are some accomplishments in 2022:

• NASA and SpaceX successfully launched and returned crew members to and 

from the International Space Station from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center 

in Florida. 

2022 SOMD Highlights
ISS Operations Extended
•Regular crew rotation flights to and from station continue to help maximize science 

in space, including:

o NASA astronauts Kayla Barron, Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kjell Lindgren, 

Mark Vande Hei, Bob Hines, Jessica Watkins, Frank Rubio, Nicole Mann, 

and Josh Cassada lived and worked aboard the station.

o This year saw Vande Hei completing the longest single human spaceflight 

mission by an American with a record-breaking 355 days in space.

o Crew-3 returned to Earth in May with Barron, Chari and Marshburn, as well 

as ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Matthias Maurer. During their 

science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory, the Crew-3 astronauts 

conducted experiments, including a study on concrete hardening in 

microgravity, research on cotton varieties that could help develop droughtresistant plants, and executed a space archaeology study that could provide 

information that contributes to the design of future space habitats.

2022 ISS Highlights
o Crew-4 launched in April and returned in October with Hines, Lindgren, and 

Watkins, as well as ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti after completing 

170 days in orbit. Crew-4 continued work on investigations documenting 

how improvements to the space diet affect immune function and the gut 

microbiome, determining the effect of fuel temperature on the flammability of 

a material, exploring possible adverse effects on astronaut hearing from 

equipment noise and microgravity, and studying whether additives increase 

or decrease the stability of emulsions.

o Crew-5 arrived at station in October carrying Mann and Cassada, as well as 

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Koichi Wakata and 

Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina. Crew-5 is spending several months 

aboard the space station conducting new scientific research in areas such as 

cardiovascular health, bioprinting, and fluid behavior in microgravity to 

prepare for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit and to benefit life on 

Earth.

2022 ISS Highlights
Humans in LEO Space

Crew 3 Crew 4 Crew 5

Mark Vande Hei Frank Rubio
•NASA and Boeing successfully launched and returned the company’s CST-100 

Starliner spacecraft from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and 

landed in the desert of the western United States, completing the uncrewed Orbital 

Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) to the space station to help prove the system is ready to fly 

astronauts. Starliner and its crew of NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita 

Williams are preparing for the first flight with astronauts in 2023, the final 

demonstration prior to regular flights to the microgravity complex.

•Crew members welcomed the first NASA-enabled private astronaut mission, 

Axiom Mission 1, to the orbital complex advancing the agency’s goal of 

commercializing low-Earth orbit.

•NASA astronauts continued work to install the International Space Station Rollout 

Solar Arrays (iROSA), which will increase power generation capability by up to 30% 

when fully complete, and its partners continued outfitting the Nauka module and 

new European robotic arm.

2022 ISS Highlights
Boeing Starliner Docks
•Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft completed its first limited reboost of the 

International Space Station – the first mission to feature this enhanced capability as 

a standard service for NASA.

•The International Space Station performed a critical demonstration focused on inorbit housekeeping by deploying about 172 pounds of trash from the NanoRacks

Bishop Airlock for a safe disposal in Earth’s atmosphere.

•Four commercial cargo missions delivered more than 30,000 pounds of science 

investigations, tools, and critical supplies to the space station, and two 

returned about 8,900 pounds of investigations and equipment to researchers on 

Earth.

•Selected seven new additions to the team of flight directors to oversee operations 

of the space station, commercial crew, and Artemis missions to the Moon.

2022 SOMD Highlights
Four Commercial Cargo Missions
NASA Introduces New Flight Directors
JPSS-2 and LOFTID Launch
GOES-T Launch
SWOT Launch

2023 Lookahead

International Space Station Utilization/Commercial Low-Earth Orbit

• Continued Resupply Flights

• Sierra Space Dream Chaser First Flight

• Private Astronaut Mission Support

• Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Progress

Crew Flights to Space Station

• Continued SpaceX Dragon Flights

• First Starliner Crew Flight Test and Continued Path to Certification For 

Regular Crew Rotation Flights

• US Crew on Soyuz Flight

Launch Services

• Psyche, VADR
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Exploration Systems 

Development Mission Directorate

2022 Highlights
20

www.nasa.gov

• Launched on November 16 from NASA’s 

Kennedy Space Center for a 25.5-day, 

1.4-million-mile mission beyond the 

Moon and back. Splashed down in the 

Pacific Ocean, west of Baja California, 

on December 11.

• First integrated test of NASA’s deep 

space exploration systems - the Orion 

spacecraft, SLS rocket, and the 

supporting ground systems - and was 

supported by thousands of people 

around the world.
21

www.nasa.gov

• SLS performed with precision, meeting 

or exceeding all expectations during its 

debut launch and delivered Orion within 

about three miles of its planned orbit 

altitude of 975 by 16 nautical miles, well 

within the planned range required for 

the mission, at a speed of 

approximately 17,500 mph.

• Mobile launcher and pad systems 

performed as designed during launch, 

exceeding expectations for overall 

performance.
22

www.nasa.gov

• Orion performed two lunar flybys, coming 

within 80 miles of the lunar surface.

• Orion traveled nearly 270,000 miles from 

Earth.

• Orion stayed in space longer than any 

spacecraft design for astronauts has 

done without docking to a space station.
23

www.nasa.gov

• During re-entry, Orion endured 

temperatures at about 5,000 degrees 

Fahrenheit. All parachutes and uprighting bags deployed as designed, and 

ground teams recovered the spacecraft.

• Orion was transported by truck across 

the country from Naval Base San Diego 

in California to Kennedy’s Multi Payload 

Processing Facility in Florida, where it 

will undergo further analysis.
10/7/2021
Working Manifest for Technical Integration

25

CY21 CY22 CY23 CY24 CY25

Key Terminology:

B1: Block 1 (SLS with ICPS)

B1B: Block 1B (SLS with EUS)

EGS: Exploration Ground 

Systems

ESPRIT: European System 

Providing Refueling, 

Infrastructure & Communications

EUS: Exploration Upper Stage

GERS: Gateway External 

Robotics System

HALO: Habitation and 

Logistics Outpost

HLS: Human Landing System

ICPS: Interim Cryo Propulsion 

Stage

I-HAB: International Habitat 

LETS: Lunar Exploration 

Transportation Services

LTV: Lunar Terrain Vehicle

PPE: Power & Propulsion 

Element

SLS: Space Launch System

xEVA: Exploration Extravehicular 

Activity

*Date based on Government 

planning and estimates; not 

contract informed

Artemis I Artemis III Artemis IV Artemis V 

NET March 

2022

SLS/Orion/EGS 

Launch Ready

NET March 2022

SLS/Orion/EGS

Launch Ready

PPE/HALO

Launch Ready

Nov 2024

PPE/HALO

On-Orbit Ops Ready

HLS – Option A

On-Orbit Ops Ready

SLS/Orion/EGS

Launch Ready

xEVA – Surface Suits

Ready for Integration

Feb 2025*

SLS/Orion/EGS

Launch Ready 

I-HAB

Ready for 

Integration

SLS/Orion/EGS

Launch Ready

ESPRIT

Ready for 

Integration

GERS

Ready for Integration

Logistics 

Launch Ready

HLS – Option A

Uncrewed Demo Ready 

LTV

On-Surface Ops Ready 

HLS - LETS

On-Orbit Ops Ready

Artemis II

Artemis Mission Uncrewed – B1 Crewed – B1 Crewed – B1B Commercially Launched Delivery 

10/7/2021
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A R T E M I S I I • Powered on the Orion crew module for the first 

time at Kennedy Space Center in Florida

• Selected Canoo as the Crew Transportation 

Vehicle Vendor

• Successfully tested an abort motor for the launch 

abort system at the Northrop Grumman facility in 

Promotory, UT.

• SLS’s RS-25 engines were shipped to Michoud

Assembly Facility, where they will be integrated 

with the SLS core stage.

• Manufacturing is underway for the launch vehicle 

stage adapter and Orion Stage Adapter

• Joined SLS’s core stage forward assembly with 

the liquid hydrogen tank, completing assembly of 

four of the five large structures that make up the 

core stage.

•

Illustration
ARTEMIS II

ARTEMIS II BOOSTER MOTOR 

SEGMENTS COMPLETE ARTEMIS II RS-25 ENGINES COMPLETE

ARTEMIS II 4/5 CORE STAGE ASSEMBLED

ARTEMIS II CREW MODULE

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

ARTEMIS II SERVICE MODULE

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
ARTEMIS II

ALL ARTEMIS II ENGINES DELIVERED TO MICHOUD ASSEMBLY FACILITY 

NEW LH2 SPHERE AT THE PAD FOR ARTEMIS II ARTEMIS II SPACECRAFT ADAPTER JETTISON PANELS AT MICHOUD ASSEMBLY FACILITY
31
KEY LANDING REGION 

CHARACTERISTICS

Close proximity to the 

geographic South Pole

Gentle slope for 

landing and moonwalks

Constant view to Earth 

for communications

Continuous sunlight throughout 

the surface expedition 

of about 6.5 days

Landing Accuracy

Surface data resolution

Combined mission vehicle 

capabilities: Space Launch 

System, Orion spacecraft, 

Starship Human Landing System

A landing region is approximately 

15 km2. Each landing region 

includes multiple 

potential landing sites. 
33

A R T E M I S I I I • Orion’s crew module is undergoing assembly of 

the interior and exterior structures at Kennedy.

• Orion’s heat shield was delivered to Kennedy via 

the Super Guppy aircraft.

• Teams at Airbus are working the Orion’s European 

Service Module in Bremen, Germany. 

• The SLS RS-25 engines are being prepared for 

flight at Aerojet Rocketdyne’s facility at 

NASA Stennis.

• The major components for ICPS have been 

completed at ULA’s facility in Decatur, Alabama.

• The 10 SLS rocket motor segments are complete. 

Teams finished manufacturing the segments for 

the twin SRBs.

• The core stage engine section was delivered to 

Kennedy Space Center.

• Candidate landing regions were identified for the 

Artemis III mission.

• Awarded contract to Axiom and Collins Aerospace 

to advance spacewalking capabilities, and 

selected Axiom to deliver a moonwalking system 

for Artemis III.

•

Illustration
ARTEMIS III

ARTEMIS III RS-25 FLIGHT 

SET PROCESSING

ARTEMIS III BOOSTER SEGMENTS

ARTEMIS III 

CORE STAGE LH2 TANK

ARTEMIS III ICPS STAGED FOR MATING

ARTEMIS III CREW MODULE

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

ARTEMIS III ESM3

BREMEN, GERMANY
ARTEMIS III ORION HEAT SHIELD DELIVERY TO KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

ARTEMIS III

ARTEMIS III OMS-E AT JOHHSON SPACE CENTER

ARTEMIS III ORION HEAT SHIELD KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

ARTEMIS III CREW MODULE ADAPTER
ARTEMIS III

STARSHIP TEST FLIGHT SN8 LAUNCH (Image: SpaceX)STARSHIP TEST FLIGHT SN15 LANDING (Image: SpaceX) PRESSURE TESTING OF NASA’S FULLY ASSEMBLED 

EXPLORATION SPACESUIT
37

Starship HLS development in work
38
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Microgravity Cryogenic Propellant Transfer is 

Key Technology Development

• Multiple (3 to 8 reported) tanker missions required for a single SpaceX 

landing mission

• Development of the Starship Super Heavy Launch Vehicle in work but 

not demonstrated

• Required to launch the HLS, LEO Prop Depot, and Tanker vehicles

• LOX/Methane stage is much higher Isp (327-380) than Storables and 

temperatures between propellants are compatible 

• Cryo Transfer in Space Technology Demonstrators are funded – but 

not yet flown

40
41

A R T E M I S I V • Welding of Orion’s pressure vessel is underway at 

the Michoud Assembly Facility.

• The primary structure of the European Service 

Module has been completed and shipped from 

Thales Alenia Space in Italy to Airbus in Germany.

• Manufacturing has started on test articles for the 

EUS at Michoud.

• Complete manufacturing of SLS’s hydrogen 

tank barrel that will be tested as a weld 

confidence article.

• Propellant casting for SLS’s motor segments at 

Northrop’s facility in Utah.

• SLS’s interstage simulator testing components 

arrived at Stennis and were lifted into the test 

stand. These components will be used during 

EUS’s green run.

• Structures for Gateway’s PPE, HALO, and IHAB 

components began to take shape.

• Awarded a contract to SpaceX to further develop 

the Starship human landing system and provide a 

second crewed landing demonstration as part of the 

Artemis IV mission.

•

Illustration
Status: SLS Exploration Upper Stage and Associated 

Capabilities/ Block 1B Variant

• The Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) enhances SLS 

lift-capability, enabling Orion orbit flexibility, can deliver 

co-manifested payloads to the Gateway, supports lunar 

exploration, and future Mars mission.

• The EUS has unique human rated capability for agile 

repositioning, dwell, and docking maneuvers in deep space 

with precisions guidance, cryogenic management, and real 

time communications and control.

• EUS enables the SLS Block 1B variant to accomplish a 42% 

increase in TLI mission capture.

• Tremendous progress has been made with advance 

manufacturing, tooling, and preparations for structural testing.

• The Block IB CDR board is schedule for November 3, 2022 and 

represents a major milestone in program advancement.

• The Michoud Assembly Facility outside of New Orleans is being 

prepared for full production of the design and the overall status 

is on schedule to support the Artemis IV mission.

42
Status: EGS Mobile Launcher 2 (ML

-2)

• NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems program is working with contractor 

Bechtel National Inc. to build a second mobile launcher (ML2) for NASA’s 

Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B and Block 2 configurations

• The ML2 project is a key component for future exploration, providing the 

assembly and launch platform for the Artemis IV mission and beyond that 

enable the power Block IB SLS operations. 

• Significant progress has been made with the design with 90% design 

completion over the next few months

• However, the project has experienced development and production 

issues: • Completion of steel fabrication drawings has also been delayed by 

revisions to reduce overall weight

• Steel supply chain issues have caused delays of both steel 

fabrication and delivery on the completed design

• Significant improvements have been made in the design to 

accommodate weight, changes in management approach to improve 

performance, and additional work is being performance to address 

supply base issues.

43
GATEWAY UPDATE

HABITATION AND LOGISTICS OUTPOST MOCKUP

POWER AND PROPULSION ELEMENT SOLAR ARRAY POWER MODULE

POWER AND PROPULSION ELEMENT 12KW SOLAR ELECTRIC PROPULSION TEST

HABITATION AND LOGISTICS OUTPOST PRIMARY STRUCTURE ASSEMBLY
Airlock

(provider TBD)

Orion Spacecraft

Human Landing System (HLS) 

(government reference concept shown)

Gateway External 

Robotic System (GERS) 

Power and Propulsion 

Element (PPE)

Habitation and 

Logistics Outpost 

(HALO)

ESPRIT-Refueler

International Habitat

(I-HAB)

Logistics Module

European 

Service Module

HTV-XG logistics 

resupply capability

Gateway Integrated Spacecraft

45
Capability

Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) 

• High-power solar electric propulsion 

spacecraft

• Transfers the initial capability to lunar orbit 

• Establishes a communications relay 

with Earth

• Maintains the Gateway’s orbit

Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO)

• Houses up to 4 crew for up to 30 days 

(with Orion) 

• Provides high-rate lunar communication 

relay to support lunar surface activities and 

command and control systems for Gateway

• Docking port for visiting spacecraft and 

future modules

NASA and its international partners will add modules and capabilities, evolving 

a robust orbiting laboratory and a home away from home for astronauts on 

their way to and from the lunar surface. The Gateway will serve as a test bed 

and staging point for future human exploration into deep space. 

Canadian Space Agency (CSA): 

External robotics system, robotic interfaces, 

and end-to-end robotic operations

European Space Agency (ESA): 

International Habitat (I-HAB) and refueling 

modules, along with enhanced lunar 

communications

The Japan Aerospace Exploration 

Agency (JAXA): 

I-HAB’s environmental control and life 

support system, batteries, thermal 

control, and imagery components
Gateway is Key for Multiple Lunar Missions

• Artemis/Orion lunar orbit capability is limited

• Logistics (and assembly) node is needed

• Multiple logistics missions to Gateway needed to stockpile equipment for long 

duration lunar sorties/outposts

• Safe Haven for contingencies is needed

• Gateway is a key technology demonstrator for long term Mars missions

• ECLSS, Comm, Radiation Protection, etc.

47
ARTEMIS IV

ARTEMIS IV SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM ENGINE SECTION IGNITION OVERPRESSURE / SOUND SUPPRESSION (IOPSS) SYSTEM 

FOR MOBILE LAUNCHER 2 (ML2)

EXPLORATION UPPER STAGE UMBILICAL (EUSU)

EXPLORATION UPPER STAGE STRUCTURAL TEST ARTICLE
ARTEMIS IV

ARTEMIS IV SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM ENGINE SECTION ARTEMIS IV CREW MODULE PRESSURE VESSEL AT MICHOUD ASSEMBLY FACILITY

ARTEMIS IV EUROPEAN SERVICE MODULE IN BREMEN, GERMANY ARTEMIS IV CREW MODULE PRESSURE VESSEL AT MICHOUD ASSEMBLY FACILITY
50

F U T U R E A R T E M I S

• Successfully fired a subscale rocket booster 

for Artemis IX and beyond.

• Successfully fired a ground-based version of a 

booster for SLS at Northrop Grumman’s 

facility in Utah.

• Finalized the contract with Boeing to continue 

to manufacture core and upper stages for 

future SLS rockets, including procuring critical 

and long-lead materials.

• Released an RFP for sustainable lunar lander 

development and demonstration, inviting 

industry to build additional landers.

• Signed an implementing agreement with Japan 

to provide an opportunity for a JAXA astronaut 

to serve as a Gateway crew member, in 

exchange for IHAB’s ECLSS System, IHAB, 

HALO, and ESPRIT’s batteries, and HTV-XG for 

logistical resupply.

• Released the draft RFP for LTV Services.

Illustration
Sustaining Lunar Transport

Using proven commercial partnership 

strategies, NASA is working with U.S. industry 

to build towards regular human lunar landings.

Companies will develop human landing systems 

and NASA will purchase transport services, 

while maintaining oversight to ensure safety 

standards are met.

Human Landing System

51
Initial Human Landing System

NASA will use the HLS Starship for use on 

Artemis III, the mission that will put the next 

two Americans on the surface of the Moon.

The SpaceX Option A contract includes two 

lunar surface missions: 

• SpaceX Uncrewed Lunar Demo-A

• SpaceX Crewed Lunar Demo-A

Image Credit: SpaceX
• Initial HLS for Artemis III (SpaceX)

• Completed SpaceX Option A contract milestones in CY22 including:

• Landing Software and Sensor Demo

• Software Architecture Review

• Sea-level Raptor Engine Cold Start Demo

• Advancing lander system design maturity; examples include:

• Raptor development/build: demonstrated production of 7 engines in one week

• Cryo Fluid Management: Plan in-space Propellant Transfer and Long Duration Flight Tests

• Prep for first Starship orbital flight

• Sustaining HLS for Artemis IV+

• Conducting Sustaining HLS studies and risk reduction tasks (“Appendix N” contracts)

• Sustaining HLS Acquisitions

• Impending SpaceX Option B contract mod

• Issued HLS Sustaining Lunar Development “Appendix P” solicitation

HLS Program Status
Lunar Landers

• SpaceX selected to develop the first demonstration lander. Requires a 

on-orbit cryogenic propellant transfer demonstration, an uncrewed 

landing demonstration on the moon (no ascent, no return), and one 

short term (6.5 day) 2-person lunar landing (Artemis III).

• SpaceX has been selected to develop a second-generation lunar 

lander (“sustainable lander”) which can carry 4 people and stay on 

the surface up to 30 days. Schedule goal for Artemis V and 

subsequent.

• NASA has opened a competition for other providers to also develop 

second generation ‘sustainable lunar landers’ as well. Schedule goal 

for Artemis V or subsequent flights

54
Exploration Campaign Segment –

Sustained Lunar Presence

• Includes all 

activities on or 

around the 

Moon that 

contribute to 

both the 

establishment 

of a sustained 

human lunar 

presence and 

to risk 

reduction for 

human Mars 

exploration. 

55

Representative Sequence
Artemis Base Camp Buildup
Exploration Extravehicular Activity (xEVA) Systems 

Development: Not Just Spacesuits

Advanced suits (Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Units or xEMUs)

• Portable Life Support Subsystem (xPLSS) which contains CO2removal and 

thermal control

• Pressure garment subsystem (xPGS)

Vehicle interfaces (VISE)

• Physical interfaces and support equipment such as don/doff fixtures, launch 

enclosures, umbilicals, battery chargers, and maintenance equipment

Tools and equipment

• Geology equipment for sample collection

• Construction tools for maintenance activities 

• Translation support like handrails

Pictured left: ARGOS Suit and tong tool

Pictured right: NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir in an xEMU
Lunar Terrain Vehicle

Requirements definition is in-work

• Ability to traverse from one landing zone to another and increase exploration range beyond 

maximum suited walking distance

• Reusable and rechargeable for approximate 10-year service life

• Remote operation from Human Landing System, Gateway, and Earth

• Interface with future science instruments and payloads for utilization or pre-deployment of assets 

• Ability to survive eclipse periods

Developing LTV: Survive the Night

• The lunar South Pole is massively cratered, with areas bathed in sunlight and 

shrouded in darkness

• The craters are brutally cold but elevated areas can grow extremely hot

• NASA has initiated a new study to identify options for addressing lunar night survival 

• Potential design solutions will be generated by an internal team and industry partners

• LTV will need to survive up to 100 hours of darkness with at least a 10-year lifespan

Pictured left: Artist’s render of LTV on the lunar surface 58
59

2 0 2 3 E S D M D L O O K A H E A D

Common Exploration Systems Development

Orion Spacecraft

• Artemis IV crew module pressure vessel on 

dock at KSC

• Artemis II crew module heat shield install 

• Artemis II crew and service modules 

complete and mated 

• Artemis IV heat shield on dock at KSC

• Artemis III Launch Abort System motors start 

arriving

• Artemis II spacecraft initial power on

• ESA Service Module 3 on dock at KSC

• Artemis II Launch Abort System complete

Space Launch System

Artemis II

• Core Stage delivered to KSC 

• ICPS, OSA, LVSA delivered to KSC

• Booster Segments delivered to KSC

Artemis III

• RS-25s complete

• Booster segments complete

• Core Stage manufacturing at MAF Complete

• ICPS, OSA, LVSA complete

Artemis IV

• RL10C-3 for EUS delivered to SSC

• EUS construction facility complete at MAF

Artemis V and Beyond

• RS-25 Recertification Engine Test Series 

13 testing at SSC

• 8 of the 24 new RS-25 engines under contract

Exploration Ground Systems

• Artemis I Post Flight Analysis Review

• Artemis II Mobile Launcher 1 

Crew Mods complete

• Artemis II Launch Pad 39B LH2 Sphere 

complete

• Artemis II Multi-element V&V Complete

• Artemis II Start of Booster Processing

• Artemis IV Mobile Launcher 2 

Critical Design Review
60

2 0 2 3 E S D M D L O O K A H E A D

Artemis Campaign Development

Extravehicular Activity and 

Human Surface Mobility

• Pressurized Rover Mission 

Concept Review (MCR)

• Program Systems Requirement Review 

(SRR) / System Definition Review (SDR)

• Program Key Decision Point I (KDP-I) 

Gateway

• Program Key Decision Point 

(KDP)-I

• HALO critical design review closeout

• PPE critical design review

• HALO delivery from Italy to Northrop 

Grumman in Gilbert, AZ

• Gateway External Robotics Interface 

(GERI) critical design review

• Gateway External Robotics Systems 

(GERS) preliminary design review

• HALO Lunar Communication Subsystem 

(HLCS) critical design review

Human Landing System

• Starship Orbital Vehicle 

Launch Test Flight 

(SpaceX owned test)

• Certification Baseline Review (SpaceX 

Sustaining Lander)

• KDP-C and Agency Baseline Commitment 

(ABC) for HLS Initial Capability

• Sustaining Lunar Development 

Appendix P Award
61
Human Landing System

Artist’s illustration

Transit Habitat

• Keep crew healthy and productive during long 

duration, deep space stays including:

- Shakedown missions at Gateway and while 

free-flying with interim propulsion

- Lunar-Mars analogs 

- Up to 1100-day Mars transit and orbital 

stays

• Demonstrate needed capabilities to live for 

long durations beyond low Earth orbit

• Build on ISS and commercial investment in 

deep space habitation

Reused element with 15-year 

lifetime for multiple missions

Artist’s illustration
PRE-DEPLOYED 

CREW ASCENT 

VEHICLE 

PRE-DEPLOYED CARGO

• 25-ton class payload Mars lander

• Ascent vehicle propellant, 

Surface Power, and surface 

mobility/propellant transfer system

CREW

• Two crew land/live in pressurized rover

• Provides habitation and mobility 

for 30 days

• Supports science and 

exploration operations

First Conceptual Mars Mission

Reference architecture for analysis purposes only. 

1

2 3

TRANSIT HABITAT AND HYBRID 

PROPULSION STAGE

• Supports four crew on the long mission to Mars

• Two crew remain in orbit while two crew visit 

the Mars surface