NASA has selected 34 global volunteers to track the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission's journey around the Moon. The Artemis II test flight will launch NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, carrying the Orion spacecraft and a crew of four astronauts, on a mission into deep space. This mission is a crucial step in NASA's plan to establish a long-term presence on the Moon and pave the way for future lunar exploration and the first crewed mission to Mars. The tracking effort is led by NASA's Near Space Network and Deep Space Network, coordinated by the SCaN (Space Communication and Navigation) program. These networks will provide primary communications and tracking services for the mission. However, a unique aspect of this mission is the involvement of external organizations and amateur radio enthusiasts who will passively track radio waves transmitted by Orion during its approximately 10-day journey. This initiative builds on a previous effort where 10 volunteers successfully tracked the Orion spacecraft during Artemis I in 2022, producing valuable data and lessons learned. Public interest in tracking the Artemis II mission has increased, with about 47 ground assets spanning 14 different countries participating. The participants include government agencies, commercial companies, individual enthusiasts, and academic institutions. These volunteers will submit their data to NASA for analysis, helping the agency assess tracking capabilities and identify ways to support future Moon and Mars missions. There are no financial exchanges involved in this collaborative effort. The Artemis II mission aims to test the systems that will carry astronauts to the lunar surface, driving economic benefits and scientific discovery in the Golden Age of exploration and innovation. The networks supporting Artemis receive programmatic oversight from NASA's SCaN Program office, which also develops technologies and capabilities for NASA's missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The Deep Space Network is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Near Space Network is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
