Thanks to NASA’s Artemis initiative, you might find yourself a step closer to donning that astronaut suit tucked away in the basement.
In just a few short months, the Orion spacecraft, under development since 2004, is set to journey to the Moon again, a mission officially named “Artemis II.” Once the spacecraft reaches our lunar companion’s trajectory, a crew of four will embark on a singular deep-space loop around Earth’s celestial partner. If you possess and operate a Doppler tracking system, NASA would appreciate your input.
Such chances are rare, so if you’re eager to display an “I Assisted NASA” bumper sticker on your Corolla, it’s time to clear the dust off your sophisticated equipment. The magnificent Moon beckons us, and thus we shall go.
This isn’t the first instance where NASA has issued a call for local spacecraft trackers: This same volunteer program was established for the initial phase of the Artemis initiative, where 10 volunteers utilized ground-based Doppler antennas to identify and analyze variations in Orion’s radio signals.
Currently, Orion is slated to launch for the Artemis II mission by April 2026 at the latest, and those keen to volunteer have until October 27, 2025, to submit their applications. NASA provides a detailed breakdown of exactly what it seeks from collaborators, which can be found here.
We’ve also compiled a TL;DR version: You are required to supply one-way Doppler data at no expense to NASA or the U.S. government. Additionally, you must furnish a thorough description of your RF-tracking setup, including part numbers and performance specifications. NASA will also require evidence of the interested parties’ prior spacecraft-tracking endeavors.
