Artemis I – European Service Module perspective

The Orion spacecraft with European Service Module will fly farther from Earth than any human-rated vehicle has ever flown before. This video gives an overview of the first mission – without astronauts – for Artemis, focussing on ESA’s European Service Module that powers the spacecraft.

The spacecraft will perform a flyby of the Moon, using lunar gravity to gain speed and propel itself 70 000 km beyond the Moon, almost half a million km from Earth – further than any human has ever travelled, where it will inject itself in a Distant Retrograde Orbit around the Moon.

On its return journey, Orion will do another flyby of the Moon before heading back to Earth.

The total trip will take around 20 days, ending with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean without the European Service Module – it separates and burns up harmlessly in the atmosphere.

The second Artemis mission will have a simplified flight plan with only a flyby of the Moon but with four astronauts. The third Artemis mission will see astronauts taken to the lunar surface.

The European Service Module is ESA’s contribution to @NASA's Orion spacecraft that will send astronauts to the Moon and beyond. It provides electricity, water, oxygen and nitrogen as well as keeping the spacecraft at the right temperature and on course.

The European Service Module has 33 thrusters, 11 km of electrical wiring, four propellant and two pressure tanks that all work together to supply propulsion and everything needed to keep astronauts alive far from Earth – there is no room for error.

#ESA
#Orion
#Artemis

[SystemBD]

This video doesn't show it, but I believe it is important to explain the part when the module is burn on re-entry (even if you only render a particle system from afar). A mission in space should never be considered "complete" until the spacecraft is properly retrieved or decommissioned in a ball of plasma (or in a lithobraking operation against other celestial body).

[victoriahann]

This is so beautiful ESA!! 🌕
Whitout words!!💐
Thus, this is an imaginary travel around the Moon for who is looking, when you come back to the Earth, you are other person. The Moon makes you to grow in an incredible way. I kneel in front of the Space and in front of God.💫

[KF]

You realy schow us how good space media can be made i love your content and your miles ahead of nasa in their social media game i always have the feeling they dont realy want to show us their stuff

[Activan]

incredible attitude to the participation of the instrument compartment.

[utkuerkan]

All the best to NASA/ESA; I ambition life would exist on the moon all the time in near future thus it would be our 2nd backup home & scientific research base for humanity. :o))

[lamnguyentung]

OMG im sooo excited to watch the launch

[ptonpc]

Here's to safe flights with ESM. Am I the only person who feels a bit sad the European Service Module couldn't be put into a parking orbit for later reuse. Yes I know the tech isn't there for it yet. Maybe one day ESM's descendents will include 'tugs' or 'ferries' that ply their trade between planets, refuelling every so often.

[ilvy]

to the moon 🚀🔥🌗 thank you for sharing this video. Love it.

[juanlapuente]

Question: why is there no ESA logo on the service module? I believe the European module is clearly instrumental for this mission, but all we can see is NASA logo in huge letters and they always talk about NASA's mission. Shouldn't they acknowledge some credit to ESA for its contribution?

[nevarran]

This one will be fun. Looking forward to see it.

[jacimarmoronarimassad]

Espero poder ver o retorno do homem a Lua e a chegada da sonda Europa Clipper ao seu destino

[tombickmore]

@ESA Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the first several burns should be retrograde, or slowing the craft down, in order to enter lunar orbit. (The opposite of what is shown)

[biropa]

In comparison, the Apollo Sevice Module was much heavier at 54, 050 pounds including 40, 590 pounds fuel. ESM weighs in at 29, 800 pounds with 19, 000 pounds fuel. ESA is 13' long and 13' diameter(not including crew module adaptor). ASM was 12'10" diameter and 14'10" long(24'7" long including the engine nozzle).

[Vinz]

At 1:14 shouldn't the burn be opposite with respect to flight direction for Lunar Orbit Insertion?

[kaingott]

Why is it burning Prograde for Orbit Injection? WTH?!

[everettmassic]

I have no idea why the solar panels move forward on the burns, Does any one know?

[TheGoncas]

Only NASA logos and American flags in the rocket and the module. There should be at least an EU flag in there.

[rjung_ch]

What ever happens to the expelled stages, do they just roam around the galaxy indefinitely, in the worst case hit something in the future? How can this be mitigated?

[kittyparty]

It's going to fire backwards and slow down the trajectory around the moon. Keep it realistic Them's, They's, girls and boys

[ScotsmanGamer]

A long way for a shortcut comes to mind 😂