Argentina to Join NASA’s Artemis II Mission with Nationally Developed Microsatellite
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Argentina is poised to play a groundbreaking role in teh future of space exploration, with the government of Javier Milei announcing the nation’s direct participation in NASA’s Artemis II mission through the deployment of the Atenea microsatellite. This national technological progress represents a meaningful leap forward for Argentina’s scientific and technological capabilities.
A Collaborative Effort Reaching for the Moon
The Atenea microsatellite, a project spearheaded by the National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE), represents a collaborative effort involving VENG SA, the Argentine Institute of Radio Astronomy (IAR), the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), and leading public universities including the National University of La Plata (UNLP), the National University of San Martín (UNSAM), and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Buenos Aires (FIUBA). According to a statement released by the Office of the president,the satellite will be deployed during the initial phase of the Artemis II flight.
“This project represents one of the most relevant advances of the scientific-technological system Argentina in space matters in recent years,” a senior official stated.
Atenea’s Multifaceted Mission
The Atenea microsatellite is designed to perform a range of strategic functions crucial for advancing space exploration. It will measure radiation in deep space orbits,evaluate the performance of electronic and structural components under extreme conditions,capture GPS data from trajectories beyond low Earth orbit,and validate long-range dialogue links.The data collected will be shared with NASA, aiding in the validation of “critical technologies for future space missions.”
Artemis II: A Return to Lunar Orbit
The Argentine contribution will be integrated into the Artemis II mission, currently scheduled for launch on February 6, 2026, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission will be the first manned flight around the Moon in over fifty years, since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.the crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid wiseman, victor glover, and christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
While a moon landing is not planned for this mission, the Orion spacecraft will embark on a 10-day journey orbiting the Moon and venturing to its far side, reaching a record distance of 72,000 kilometers from Earth – the furthest distance humans have ever traveled. During this trajectory, critical systems including life support, navigation, communications, and control will be rigorously tested, paving the way for future Artemis program missions aimed at establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
Upholding aerospace Standards and Fostering Innovation
The deployment of Atenea within this context signifies adherence to the most stringent quality and reliability standards in the aerospace industry. Milei’s administration emphasized that the selection of the Argentine satellite underscores the contry’s technical and operational capabilities.
The Secretary of Innovation,Science and Technology,Dario Genuawho,celebrated the proclamation,stating,”In the coming weeks,Argentina will be part of a historic event. ATENEA, an Argentine microsatellite, will travel aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission and will go further than any satellite.”
Atenea: A Fully Argentine creation
The Atenea project is a 12U CubeSat class microsatellite, entirely designed and constructed in Argentina. It will travel as a secondary payload aboard the Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful launch system currently available. The satellite is currently undergoing final integration and testing at the Teófilo Tabanera Space Center in Córdoba, Argentina, after receiving project approval from CONAE in December 2023. Formal cooperation between CONAE and NASA was solidified in May 2025 with a signed agreement following an invitation from the US agency to include an Argentine payload.
Argentina’s participation in the Artemis II mission represents not only a technological achievement but also a testament to the nation’s growing role in the global space community.
