NASA's JPL Facility Supports Artemis II Mission

The Space Flight Operations Facility at JPL is playing a key role in the Artemis II lunar mission.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:16pm

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A bold, highly structured abstract painting in warm earth tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric planetary circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the intricate systems and forces involved in the Artemis II lunar mission.JPL's Space Flight Operations Facility serves as the nerve center for NASA's Artemis II lunar mission, monitoring and coordinating the complex systems and forces involved in this historic spaceflight.Pasadena Today

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California is providing critical support for the upcoming Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the agency's new Orion spacecraft that will orbit the Moon. The Space Flight Operations Facility at JPL is monitoring and coordinating key aspects of the mission from the ground.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's ambitious plan to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. The success of Artemis II will be a major milestone, paving the way for future Artemis missions that could include the first woman and person of color to walk on the Moon.

The details

JPL's Space Flight Operations Facility is serving as a central hub for mission control, data processing, and communications for Artemis II. The facility's large video screens display real-time telemetry and mission status updates, allowing teams of engineers and scientists to closely monitor the spacecraft's systems and trajectory.

  • The Artemis II mission is currently scheduled to launch in late 2024.
  • The Orion spacecraft is expected to spend approximately 10 days in lunar orbit before returning to Earth.

The players

Artemis II

The second mission in NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

A federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology, located in Pasadena, California.

Orion spacecraft

NASA's new deep-space exploration vehicle that will carry astronauts to the Moon as part of the Artemis program.

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What they’re saying

“The Space Flight Operations Facility at JPL is playing a critical role in ensuring the success of the Artemis II mission. Our teams are working around the clock to monitor and support every aspect of the flight.”

— Bhavya Lal, Associate Administrator for Technology, Policy, and Strategy at NASA

What’s next

Following the successful completion of Artemis II, NASA plans to launch Artemis III in 2025, which will include the first woman and person of color to walk on the lunar surface.

The takeaway

JPL's Space Flight Operations Facility is a vital command and control center for NASA's ambitious Artemis program, providing essential support for the historic Artemis II mission that will pave the way for future crewed lunar landings.