Australia Key in NASA's Crewed Moon Mission Launch

Australia's tracking stations will play a vital role in communications for the historic Artemis II mission to orbit the Moon.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:36am

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On April 1, 2026, NASA is sending four astronauts, including the first Black, female, and non-American crew members, on a mission to orbit the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft. Throughout the journey, ground stations in Australia will track the spacecraft and maintain critical communications, underscoring Australia's longstanding support for NASA's space exploration efforts.

Why it matters

Australia's support for NASA's human spaceflight programs dates back to the Apollo era, when the country hosted more tracking stations than any other nation outside the US. This collaboration has continued through the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex, which has played a role in major NASA missions for decades. Australia's involvement in the Artemis program highlights its ongoing significance as a key partner in space exploration.

The details

The Artemis II mission will test the Orion spacecraft and supporting systems, paving the way for an eventual crewed Moon landing in 2028. During the 10-day mission, Australian ground stations will track the spacecraft and maintain communications with mission control in Houston, transmitting telemetry, science data, and video. Even when the Moon and Artemis II are on the other side of Earth relative to Australia, the global integration of the tracking network means Australian staff can remotely operate other facilities.

  • On April 1, 2026, NASA is launching the Artemis II mission to orbit the Moon.
  • The Artemis II mission is expected to be the farthest crewed mission from Earth in history, lasting 10 days.

The players

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex

A ground station in Australia's Australian Capital Territory that has operated continuously since the 1970s as part of NASA's Deep Space Network, supporting deep space exploration missions.

Australian National University

A public research university in Canberra, Australia, that will assist in testing laser communications with the Artemis II spacecraft from the Mount Stromlo Observatory.

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What they’re saying

“Australia's contribution to Artemis II comes at a moment of sustained public interest in space. The prominence of figures such as astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, recently awarded Australian of the Year, has ensured space activity remains in the national spotlight.”

— Tristan Moss, Senior Lecturer in History, UNSW Sydney

What’s next

The Artemis II mission will pave the way for the next Artemis missions, with an eventual crewed Moon landing slated for early 2028.

The takeaway

Australia's longstanding support for NASA's space exploration efforts, including hosting critical tracking stations, has made the country an indispensable partner in the Artemis program. As the Artemis II mission takes astronauts around the Moon, it highlights Australia's growing prominence in the global space industry.