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[NASA] Networks Keeping NASA’s Artemis II Mission Connected

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Networks Keeping NASA’s Artemis II Mission Connected

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An artist’s conceptual image of network antennas supporting the Orion spacecraft.
Credits: NASA / Dave Ryan

NASA’s Artemis II mission will transport four astronauts around the Moon, bringing the agency one step closer to sending the first astronauts to Mars. Throughout Artemis II, astronaut voice, images, video, and vital mission data must traverse thousands of miles, carried on signals from NASA’s communications systems.

Through

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, NASA is establishing an enduring presence in space and exploring more of the Moon than ever before. To achieve this, Artemis missions rely on both the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network. These networks, with oversight by NASA’s SCaN (
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) Program office, use global infrastructure and relay satellites to ensure seamless communications and tracking as Orion launches, orbits Earth, travels to the Moon, and returns home.

NASA’s Artemis II mission will transport four astronauts around the Moon, bringing humanity closer to its journey to Mars. Throughout the mission, astronaut voice, images, video, and vital mission data must traverse thousands of miles, carried on signals from NASA’s powerful communications systems: the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network.
NASA

“Robust space communications aren’t optional; they’re the essential link that unites the crew and the exploration team on Earth to ensure safety and mission success, as I learned firsthand living and working aboard the International Space Station,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate at the agency’s headquarters in Washington. “From real-time conversations with mission controllers, to the data that drives critical decisions and research, and even calls home — space communications keep astronauts connected to mission managers, technical experts, loved ones, and everyone on Earth who wants to share in the excitement of our exploration missions. As we push farther into deep space, reliable communications links will enable more challenging missions and maximize the benefit for all of us on Earth.”

"From real-time conversations with mission controllers, to the data that drives critical decisions, research, and even calls home, space communications keep astronauts connected."

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Ken Bowersox

Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate

Specialists will operate its networks in tandem to enable data exchange between spacecraft and mission controllers on Earth. NASA’s Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston will track the Space Launch System rocket,

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, and Orion spacecraft through coordinated handoffs between the networks’ multiple assets on Earth and in space for the duration of the mission.

Using ground stations around the globe and a fleet of relay satellites, the

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will provide communications and navigation services during multiple stages of the Artemis II mission operations. The network, managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, has a long legacy of supporting human spaceflight missions near Earth.

After Orion’s translunar injection burn, which will set the spacecraft on its planned orbit around the Moon, primary communications support will transition to the

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, managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The network’s international array of giant radio antennas, located in California, Spain, and Australia, provides a near-continuous connection to
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and its crew.

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The Artemis II mission will use SCaN’s networks to send vital data down to mission controllers on Earth. This includes astronaut communications, mission health and safety information, images, video, and more.
NASA / Dave Ryan

“Reliable communications are the lifeline of human spaceflight,” said Kevin Coggins, deputy associate administrator for the SCaN Program at NASA Headquarters. “Our networks help make missions like Artemis II possible and set the stage for even more ambitious space exploration in the years ahead. These achievements are driven not only by NASA’s infrastructure but also by strong collaboration with our commercial partners, who play a critical role in advancing the capabilities and resilience of space communications.”

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The DSN Now tool displays real-time data in the Charles Elachi Mission Control Center at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory during the Artemis I launch on November 16, 2022.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/Ryan Lannom

In addition to traditional radio network support, the spacecraft will host the 

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, a laser communications terminal that will transmit real science and crew data over laser links. Demonstrations like the recent 
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payload have proven laser communications systems can send more than 100 times more data than comparable radio networks, even millions of miles away from Earth. While laser communications will not be on Artemis III, the Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System could pave the way for future laser communications systems at the Moon and Mars.

An artist's visualization concept of the O2O laser communications terminal sending data over infrared light links.
NASA / Dave Ryan

The Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System payload is only one piece of NASA’s larger mission to improve lunar and deep space communications. Orion will experience a planned communications blackout lasting approximately 41 minutes. The blackout will occur as the spacecraft passes behind the Moon, blocking radio frequency signals to and from Earth. Similar blackouts occurred during the Apollo-era missions and are expected when using an Earth-based network infrastructure. When Orion reemerges from behind the Moon, the Deep Space Network will quickly reacquire Orion’s signal and restore communications with mission control. These planned blackouts remain an aspect of all missions operating on or around the Moon’s far side.

Each Artemis mission will build upon existing capabilities, including data processing and handling. For the Artemis II flight test, data from Orion will be compressed after it reaches Earth to manage the large amount of information. Data compression will reduce image and video quality and give priority to crew communications and mission data.

An artist's concept of the lunar relay supporting future missions on the Moon.
NASA / Dave Ryan

Looking ahead, NASA’s

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project is collaborating with industry to eliminate blackouts and support precise navigation by placing relay satellites around the Moon. This network of orbiting satellites will deliver persistent, high-bandwidth communications and navigation services for astronauts, landers, and orbiters on and around the lunar surface. In 2024, NASA
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to develop the first set of lunar relays for demonstration during the Artemis III lunar surface mission. 

 From liftoff to splashdown, NASA’s evolving networks will serve as the crew’s link home, ensuring that humanity’s return to the Moon stays connected every step of the way.

About the Author

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Katherine Schauer

Katherine Schauer is a writer for the Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program office and covers emerging technologies, commercialization efforts, exploration activities, and more.

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Details

Last Updated
Jan 28, 2026
Editor
Goddard Digital Team
Contact
Jimi Russell
Location
Goddard Space Flight Center

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