Moog Successfully Steers Space Launch System Rocket on Artemis 1 Launch
Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) announced today that the company’s space products played a critical role in successfully launching Artemis 1, which is the first uncrewed test flight of NASA’s mission to return to the Moon.
The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida early this morning. The rocket is the most powerful ever built, putting off 8.8 million pounds of thrust and traveling nearly 23,000 miles per hour. Moog actuators and controllers are responsible for controlling that power by precisely positioning the engines to steer all stages of the SLS rocket.
Artemis 1 is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to build a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. This is the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems, which include the SLS rocket, Orion Crew Capsule, and Ground Systems at Kennedy Space Center. The primary goal of Artemis 1 is to test all the systems with complicated maneuvers before astronauts fly Artemis 2, which is scheduled for no earlier than 2024.
The Moog team designed, built, and tested several components essential to the mission. Additional Moog technology areas supporting the Artemis mission include avionics, environmental control and life support, propulsion, and spacecraft mechanisms. More than 500 Moog employees across the United States have contributed to Artemis 1.
“This is a mission about people building a path to the Moon and beyond. It would not have been possible without the hundreds of Moog team members who worked on Artemis and whose talent and dedication continue to drive Moog’s innovation for the next generation of space travel,” said Maureen Athoe, Moog Space and Defense Group President.
“I have seen the actuator controller program through design, development, qualification, and now production. It has been a lot of coordination across disciplines to ensure we are meeting the technical performance specifications. This launch is the culmination of years of work and dedication,” said Kristie Werth, Moog Senior Electrical Project Engineer.
Over the next 25 days, Orion will travel 40,000 miles past the moon, which is further than any spacecraft capable of carrying a crew has ever gone. The total distance traveled will be 1.3 million miles. Splashdown is scheduled for Friday, December 11.
About Moog Inc.
Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems. Moog’s high-performance systems control military and commercial aircraft, satellites, and space vehicles, launch vehicles, missiles, automated industrial machinery, and marine and medical equipment. Additional information about the company can be found at www.moog.com. For more information about Moog’s Artemis content, explore www.moog.com/artemis.
