NASA's Ames Research Center significantly contributed to Artemis II, enhancing the Orion spacecraft's heat shield and aerothermal simulations. The mission, launched on April 1, 2026, marked the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years, with astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen aboard. Key innovations included 3D-MAT compression pads and advanced modeling tools for safer reentry.