For many, getting into a car is a simple task. But for astronauts heading to the Moon, climbing aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft is more complex. Enter the Artemis closeout crew—key players in this monumental journey.
Their job is crucial for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight in NASA’s Artemis program. The closeout crew consists of five members: Taylor Hose leads the team, with astronaut Andre Douglas and technician Bill Owens assisting on safety. Two additional technicians, Christian Warriner and Ricky Ebaugh, round out the team. They are the last people to interact with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen before liftoff.
Picture them like a pit crew at a car race. On launch day at Kennedy Space Center, they will help the crew get ready. The astronauts first put on their helmets and gloves before boarding Orion. Inside the spacecraft, the crew secures themselves with multiple straps—far more complicated than a typical car seatbelt. Each seat in Orion has five straps plus connections for life support and communication systems.
Closing the hatch of the Orion is no easy feat. Unlike car doors, this hatch is pneumatic. Hose explains, “We need air lines connected to close it securely.” The closeout process is meticulous and can take about four hours. Even a stray strand of hair could cause trouble, so each step is done carefully. As Hose notes, “We have a lot of work to do with the seals.”
After everything is buttoned up, the hatch technicians will close the launch abort system hatch before the closeout crew steps away, ready to assist if needed. Some crew members will even travel to San Diego to help once the mission concludes.
This mission marks an exciting era for space exploration. According to NASA, Artemis II is a stepping stone to future lunar missions and even human missions to Mars. The excitement is contagious, especially on social media, where hashtags like #ArtemisII are trending, capturing public interest.
As we look to the stars, the dedication of teams like the Artemis closeout crew ensures that our astronauts embark on their journeys safely. This mission isn’t just about lifting off; it’s part of a broader vision to explore and pave the way for humanity’s future in space.
For more on NASA’s Artemis program, you can visit NASA’s official page.
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Andre Douglas, Artemis 2, Christina H. Koch, Exploration Ground Systems, G. Reid Wiseman, Kennedy Space Center, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, Space Launch System (SLS), Victor J. Glover
