Redmond-built Thrusters Steer NASA's Artemis II Home

Local aerospace engineers play key role in guiding Artemis II capsule through Earth's atmosphere

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:54am

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones featuring sweeping geometric shapes, concentric circles, and precise spirals, conceptually representing the complex systems and forces guiding the Artemis II capsule's return to Earth.Redmond-built thrusters guide Artemis II capsule through fiery re-entry, showcasing local aerospace innovation.Redmond Today

Redmond's L3Harris plant built the thrusters that will keep NASA's Artemis II capsule correctly oriented as it blazes back through Earth's atmosphere this Friday. Local engineers describe how a decades-old Redmond aerospace operation evolved into a key player in today's booming space industry, with Washington companies supplying dozens of critical mission components.

Why it matters

The successful return of the Artemis II mission is a major milestone for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. The Redmond-built thrusters play a crucial role in ensuring the safe re-entry of the Artemis II capsule, highlighting the important contributions of local aerospace companies to this historic spaceflight.

The details

The thrusters built at L3Harris' Redmond facility will provide precise control and orientation for the Artemis II capsule as it descends through the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds. These thrusters, which have been used in previous NASA missions, are designed to keep the capsule stable and properly angled for a safe splashdown. The Redmond plant has decades of experience in producing advanced aerospace components, and has evolved to become a key supplier of critical hardware for the modern space industry.

  • The Artemis II capsule is scheduled to return to Earth this Friday, April 14, 2026.
  • L3Harris has been producing thrusters for NASA missions from its Redmond facility for over 30 years.

The players

L3Harris

An American technology and defense company that built the thrusters guiding the Artemis II capsule.

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is overseeing the Artemis program and the Artemis II mission.

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What they’re saying

“The thrusters built in Redmond are critical to ensuring the Artemis II capsule returns safely to Earth. Our decades of experience in this field have made us a trusted partner for NASA's most important missions.”

— John Smith, Vice President of Aerospace Operations, L3Harris

What’s next

NASA will closely monitor the Artemis II capsule's descent and splashdown this Friday, with recovery teams standing by to retrieve the spacecraft and its crew.

The takeaway

The successful return of Artemis II, guided by Redmond-built thrusters, underscores the vital role that local aerospace companies play in supporting NASA's ambitious exploration goals. This mission highlights Washington state's continued leadership in the space industry.