What was Artemis I?
Artemis I was the first integrated flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft and supporting ground systems. Orion traveled beyond the Moon and returned to Earth, giving engineers a chance to test the system in deep space before putting astronauts aboard.
The mission was a test flight rather than a landing. It provided information about launch performance, spacecraft operations, re-entry and recovery.
How long was the mission?
NASA records a duration of 25 days, 10 hours and 53 minutes. The rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center on 16 November 2022; Orion splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December 2022.
That long flight allowed Orion to operate in the deep-space environment and complete a return through Earth's atmosphere at lunar-return speed.
Why did it matter for Artemis II?
Artemis I gave NASA flight data from the rocket and crew capsule. Its successful return established the foundation for Artemis II, which carried four astronauts around the Moon in 2026.
The two missions answer different questions: Artemis I tested the integrated system without crew; Artemis II tested how that system performs with people aboard.
Follow the mission. Explore the project.
Artemis Moon is an independent Ethereum project inspired by the wider lunar era. Read its whitepaper and inspect the published contracts before deciding whether to take part in the ARMN presale.
Frequently asked questions
Did Artemis I land on the Moon?
No. Orion traveled beyond and around the Moon, then returned to Earth.
Were astronauts on Artemis I?
No. It was an uncrewed flight test.
What rocket launched Artemis I?
NASA's Space Launch System rocket launched the Orion spacecraft.