NASA’s report describes the launch window as a consequence of orbital mechanics: Earth rotates while the Moon follows its monthly orbit, creating roughly one week of opportunities followed by three weeks without them. The constraints are specific to Artemis II’s test-flight trajectory, rather than a general schedule for later lunar-landing missions. [S1]
At the selected time, the Space Launch System must place Orion in high Earth orbit so the crew and ground teams can assess life-support systems before heading toward the Moon. Orion must then be aligned for translunar injection, which sets up a lunar flyby and a free-return path using the Moon’s gravity without major additional propulsion maneuvers. [S1]
The trajectory also has a power-and-temperature constraint: NASA says Orion must not remain in darkness for more than 90 minutes at a time, allowing its solar-array wings to generate electricity and helping maintain the spacecraft’s temperature range. Planners also require a trajectory that supports the planned Earth-return entry profile. [S1]
Orbital geometry does not determine every viable date. NASA also identifies supply replenishment, weather and other users’ operations on the Eastern Range schedule as constraints; its general rule allows up to four launch attempts during the approximate week of opportunities in a window. [S1]
Source documents
- Últimos preparativos para la primera misión tripulada a la Luna con la campaña Artemis de la NASAhttps://www.nasa.gov/es/ultimos-preparativos-para-la-primera-mision-tripulada-a-la-luna-con-la-campana-artemis-de-la-nasa/