Artemis II Lunar Observations Support Software

Artemis II will mark the first human observations of the Moon from cislunar space in over 50 years. To maximize scientific return, the Artemis II crew will follow the Lunar Targeting Plan (LTP), a strategically structured observations guide developed by the Crew Lunar Observations (CLO) Team, a subgroup of the Artemis II Lunar Science Team. The CLO team supports the science target selection process on the ground and, critically, provides the Artemis II crew with a clear and actionable plan for conducting lunar observations. The Artemis II crew members provided feedback on the LTP through hands-on usage and trainings, helping shape the tool to best fit crew needs.

Flyby Overview. The primary role of the LTP is to support the Artemis II crew during the lunar flyby, the phase of the mission when the spacecraft will orbit to the far side of the Moon and make its closest approach to the lunar surface. During this phase, the crew will conduct lunar science observations through the Orion windows, including photography with handheld Nikon D5 cameras, audio recordings using their person crew devices, and annotated notes and imagery to highlight features of interest. To maximize observation time and distribute tasks efficiently, crew members will work in paired shifts, with each pair completing at least one observation shift.