German cubesat to hitch a ride on Artemis II lunar mission

German cubesat to hitch a ride on Artemis II lunar mission
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 20, 2024

Humankind is gearing up for its return to the Moon. Set for September 2025, NASA's Artemis II will be the first crewed test flight in the Artemis program, paving the way for the Artemis III lunar landing, planned for 2026. On board the Orion spacecraft, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will orbit the Moon several times, testing key technologies for future lunar landings. Along with the crew, the mission will carry small CubeSats to conduct experiments and test new space technologies. One of these CubeSats will be a German satellite, selected by the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), marking a significant moment in international cooperation.

On September 18, 2024, NASA and the German Space Agency at DLR formalized the agreement, securing the inclusion of this German technology on the Artemis II mission.

"German companies from the space sector are already making a key contribution to Artemis - and thus to humankind's return to the Moon. We are delighted to be able to pass on the opportunity to fly on Artemis II to a German start-up. This will strengthen Germany's position as a centre for space travel in the long term. Cooperation with international space agencies offers a wealth of new opportunities for industry and scientific research in Germany, Europe and around the world," stated Walther Pelzer, DLR Executive Board Member and Director General of the German Space Agency at DLR.

Catherine Koerner, Associate Administrator of NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, added, "We are delighted to work with our international partners on the Artemis campaign. Together, we are expanding our understanding of science and technology."

German Technology for Lunar Exploration
The TACHELES CubeSat, developed by Berlin-based company NEUROSPACE GmbH, will be aboard Artemis II. This small, cube-shaped satellite, about the size of a shoebox, represents a new step in Germany's space technology ambitions. NEUROSPACE is working on a CubeSat-based rover system, which could provide cost-effective access to the lunar surface in the future.

TACHELES will test electrical components for this future rover, with particular focus on how they withstand space radiation as they pass through Earth's radiation belts, the van Allen belts. The Artemis II flight offers a rare opportunity to gather valuable data on the CubeSat's electronics under these harsh conditions, which will be instrumental in advancing both scientific understanding and the technical development of the rover.

International Cooperation for Lunar and Beyond
The Artemis program, in collaboration with international partners, has ambitious objectives. Alongside returning humans to the lunar surface, NASA is planning a space station in lunar orbit, which will enable deeper exploration of the Moon. In the long term, this infrastructure is expected to support the first human missions to Mars.

Artemis missions are designed to advance knowledge of the Moon and establish a lasting human presence there. NASA's strategy includes targeting lunar landing sites around the Moon's South Pole, establishing the Gateway space station in lunar orbit, and extending astronauts' time on the lunar surface. To achieve these goals, NASA is engaging both international partners and private industry.

German technology already plays a vital role in the Artemis missions. The first uncrewed Orion spacecraft was powered by the European Service Module (ESM), which set the spacecraft on course for the Moon during the Artemis I mission. Future Orion spacecraft will continue to rely on the ESM for propulsion, power supply, and life support. Manufactured by Airbus in Bremen, the ESM remains a central component of every Orion spacecraft.