{"id":395085,"date":"2026-03-28T07:30:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?p=961062"},"modified":"2026-03-28T07:30:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:30:40","slug":"i-am-artemis-erik-richards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=395085","title":{"rendered":"I Am Artemis: Erik Richards"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-article-hero-header nasa-gb-align-full bg-carbon-90 width-full maxw-full color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-article-hero-header\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full maxw-full minh-tablet grid-container minh-tablet flex-column padding-0\">\n<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex flex-direction-column\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-y-9 padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-3 z-400\">\n<div class=\"z-400 grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-7 z-400\">\n<div class=\"margin-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-spacesuit-white margin-bottom-2\">3 Min Read<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"heading-41 line-height-md color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI Am Artemis: Erik Richards\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"A man in a blue NASA polo shirt stands with arms crossed in front of two large satellite dish antennas at a desert ground station under a partly cloudy sky.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 56%; object-position: 50% 56%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg 6687w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-y-3 padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-x-0\"><figcaption class=\"hds-caption maxw-mobile desktop:padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0 color-carbon-30\">\n<div><figcaption>Erik Richards, mission manager for NASA&#8217;s Near Space Network, stands in front of the large antennas at the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Credits: <\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>NASA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Listen to this audio excerpt from Erik Richards, Near Space Network Mission Manager:<\/em><\/h6>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-audio-player hds-module wp-block-nasa-blocks-audio-player\">\n<div class=\"hds-audio-player-wrap bg-carbon-90 padding-0 \" id=\"audioBlock-961063\">\n<div class=\"hds-audio-player-inner padding-y-2 padding-x-3\">\n\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-audio-player__playpause bg-nasa-blue-tint hds-audio-play\" aria-label=\"Play\/Pause toggle\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"playPauseIcon display-flex\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M0 14.0001V6.10352e-05L12 7.00006L0 14.0001Z\" fill=\"white\" \/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pauseIcon display-flex\" style=\"display: none;\"><svg width=\"12\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-fule=\"evenodd\" clipRule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M0 6.10352e-05H4V14.0001H0V6.10352e-05Z\" fill=\"white\" \/><path fill-fule=\"evenodd\" clipRule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M8 6.10352e-05H12V14.0001H8V6.10352e-05Z\" fill=\"white\" \/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-audio-controls\">\n\t\t\t\t<button class=\"hds-audio-player__mute hds-audio-unmuted\" aria-label=\"Mute toggle and volume slider use left\/right or up\/down arrows to change volume\"  aria-valuemin=\"0\" aria-valuemax=\"1\" aria-valuetext=\"100% volume\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"volume-icon muteIcon\" style=\"display: none;\"><svg height=\"512\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><g><g><g><path d=\"m21.707 20.293-18-18c-.391-.391-1.023-.391-1.414 0s-.391 1.023 0 1.414l4.027 4.027c-.199.339-.32.77-.32 1.266v6c0 1.103.897 2 2 2h3.586l4.707 4.707c.191.191.447.293.707.293.129 0 .259-.024.383-.076.374-.154.617-.52.617-.924v-1.586l2.293 2.293c.195.195.451.293.707.293s.512-.098.707-.293c.391-.391.391-1.023 0-1.414z\" \/><\/g><path d=\"m18 3v11l-7-7h.59l4.7-4.71c.29-.28.72-.37 1.09-.21.38.15.62.52.62.92z\" \/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"volume-icon volumeIcon\"><svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlnsXlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" style=\"enableBackground: new 0 0 512 512\" xmlSpace=\"preserve\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><g><g><path d=\"M85.2,163.8h82.2c7.5,0,13.5,6.1,13.5,13.5v170.9c0,7.5-6.1,13.5-13.5,13.5H85.2c-7.5,0-13.5-6.1-13.5-13.5 V177.4C71.7,169.9,77.7,163.8,85.2,163.8z\"\/><\/g><\/g><g><g><path d=\"M215,170.3V355c0,4.3,2.1,8.4,5.5,10.9l177.7,130.3c8.9,6.6,21.5,0.2,21.5-10.9V28.1 c0-11.3-13.1-17.6-22-10.6L220.1,159.8C216.9,162.3,215,166.2,215,170.3z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-audio-player__volume-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input role=\"slider\" type=\"range\" min=\"0\" max=\"1\" step=\"0.01\" value=\"1\" class=\"hds-audio-player__volume\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"volume slider\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-audio-player__scrubber-time\">\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"range\" min=\"0\" max=\"100\" value=\"0\" step=\"1\" class=\"hds-audio-player__scrubber\" role=\"slider\" aria-label=\"Seek slider\" aria-valuemin=\"0\" aria-valuemax=\"100\" aria-valuenow=\"0\" aria-valuetext=\"0 Minutes 0 Seconds of ? Minutes ? Seconds\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"hds-audio-time line-height-sm color-carbon-40 paddding-0 margin-0\">0:00 \/ 0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t<audio controls class=\"audioPlayer\" style=\"display: none;\"><source src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/richards-background-cleandr.wav\" type=\"audio\/mpeg\">Your browser does not support the audio element.<\/audio>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>For Erik Richards, supporting&nbsp;NASA\u2019s&nbsp;first crewed Artemis&nbsp;mission&nbsp;to the Moon and back&nbsp;is the culmination of a career spent helping spacecraft communicate&nbsp;with Earth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Like many kids who grew up at the height of the Space Shuttle&nbsp;Program, Richards dreamed of spaceflight&nbsp;\u2014 a&nbsp;dream&nbsp;that&nbsp;eventually&nbsp;took him&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;remote&nbsp;McMurdo Station&nbsp;in Antarctica to NASA\u2019s&nbsp;Goddard Space Flight Center&nbsp;in Greenbelt, Maryland.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module aligncenter wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">I\u2019ve\u00a0spent my entire career moving across NASA\u2019s network. At its core, it&#039;s an\u00a0organization of people and interactions. I always say\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0not what you know, but who you know that makes the network go.\u00a0There are so many opportunities\u00a0to learn.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Erik Richards\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Erik Richards<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">NASA Near Space Network Mission Manager<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Most&nbsp;recently, his work has taken him to&nbsp;the agency\u2019s&nbsp;White Sands Complex in New Mexico \u2014 and&nbsp;into&nbsp;a key role in&nbsp;America\u2019s return to the Moon.&nbsp;As mission manager for&nbsp;NASA\u2019s&nbsp;Near Space Network, Richards&nbsp;ensures&nbsp;the Artemis II crew&nbsp;and&nbsp;Orion spacecraft&nbsp;can communicate with Earth&nbsp;during&nbsp;liftoff and&nbsp;early orbit,&nbsp;through&nbsp;re-entry and&nbsp;splashdown.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A man walks across a gravel lot between two large satellite dish antennas in a desert landscape with mountains and a clear blue sky.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.1); transform-origin: 44% 0%; object-position: 44% 0%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg 3984w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/img-1201.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Erik Richards at the White Sands Complex. The largest White Sands antennas are 18 meters (59 feet) in diameter. <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Near Space Network&nbsp;consists&nbsp;of an interconnected web of relay satellites and&nbsp;more than&nbsp;40 government and commercial ground stations stretching from Bermuda to South Africa.&nbsp;Together&nbsp;with NASA\u2019s Deep Space Network, this&nbsp;global infrastructure&nbsp;is&nbsp;critical&nbsp;to keeping&nbsp;the Orion spacecraft and its four astronauts connected to&nbsp;mission control&nbsp;throughout their&nbsp;roughly 10-day&nbsp;mission.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s&nbsp;Richards\u2019 job to&nbsp;keep&nbsp;the many pieces of the&nbsp;Near Space Network&nbsp;operating&nbsp;in sync&nbsp;across&nbsp;multiple&nbsp;missions.&nbsp;He compares the system to a telephone network&nbsp;on Earth: invisible when everything works, critical when it&nbsp;doesn\u2019t. Without communications,&nbsp;there\u2019s&nbsp;no contact with home.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-cover \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A double rainbow arcs above a Near Space Network antenna pointed to the sky.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/376661main-avalanche-antenna-hi.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">A Near Space Network antenna at the White Sands Ground Terminal. The Near Space Network is supporting the Artemis II mission during liftoff, early orbit, re-entry, and splashdown.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Working&nbsp;with the Deep Space Network,&nbsp;Artemis II will rely on the Near Space Network for navigation, real-time voice communications, data transfer, and situational awareness.&nbsp;For Richards and the teams supporting NASA\u2019s networks, having crew aboard makes their work more&nbsp;essential&nbsp;than ever.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Richards\u2019&nbsp;professional&nbsp;journey&nbsp;across&nbsp;the Near Space Network&nbsp;has&nbsp;been&nbsp;key&nbsp;to&nbsp;coordinating&nbsp;communications across the&nbsp;Artemis\u2019 three&nbsp;flight&nbsp;segments, dozens of ground stations, and&nbsp;hundreds&nbsp;of&nbsp;people supporting&nbsp;humanity\u2019s return to the Moon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-center padding-y-3 maxw-full width-full display-flex flex-align-center hds-module aligncenter wp-block-nasa-blocks-blockquote\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:display-flex mobile:display-block\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-icon margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"tablet:square-4 square-4 margin-right-3\" version=\"1.1\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 3000 3000\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 3000 3000;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"> <g> <path d=\"M586.7,1429.7c-10.7,1.5-21.4,2.8-33.9,4.5c6.9-26.6,12.7-50.7,19.5-74.6c32.4-114.1,78.5-222.2,146.8-319.5 c90.2-128.5,202.5-235.3,327.7-329.1c8.4-6.3,16.7-12.6,25.3-19.1c-66.3-105.1-131.5-208.6-197.3-313.1c-3.5,1.2-5.5,1.6-7.2,2.6 C714.4,469,576.1,575.7,456,705.3c-126,135.9-226.2,289.1-303,457.8c-98.8,217.1-151.3,444-147.2,683.3 c1.7,100.5,12.9,199.6,41.1,296.3C93.7,2303,182.2,2433,326.7,2520.1c176.9,106.7,366.8,126.8,563.4,70.5 c150.9-43.2,260.9-138.9,327.2-282.5c33.4-72.5,47.8-149.4,52-228.7c6.5-122.8-14.1-239.5-74.3-348.1 C1074.6,1514.5,832.7,1394.2,586.7,1429.7z\"><\/path><path d=\"M2912.5,1722c-129.9-210.9-320.2-309.4-567.9-296c-22.1,1.2-44,5.1-67.4,7.9c2.2-9.6,4-17.9,6.1-26.2 c37.9-153.6,99.3-296,198.8-420.5c77.8-97.4,167.1-182.9,265.8-258.8c15.6-12,31.3-23.9,47.9-36.5 c-66.2-105.1-131.9-209.2-197.2-312.8c-3.5,1.1-5.1,1.2-6.4,2c-167.2,95.6-316.1,213.7-443.2,358.8 c-105.1,119.9-191.1,252.3-259.5,396.3c-95.5,201-152.1,411.6-159.1,634.8c-3.9,125.5,4.8,249.7,40.1,371 c46.7,160.8,135.7,290.9,280.5,378.7c165.7,100.5,344.8,123,531.2,78.8c172.4-40.8,296.4-143.9,366.3-308.5 c28.5-67.2,40.6-138,44.6-210.5C3000.2,1953.3,2979.9,1831.4,2912.5,1722z\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"blockquote-content\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 class=\"font-weight-extralight line-height-sm margin-top-0 section-heading-sm\"><span class=\"section-heading-sm\">Artemis isn\u2019t just one\u00a0spacecraft. It\u2019s\u00a0multiple elements working together across every\u00a0mission\u00a0phase, each with its own communications demands. My role is making sure communications\u00a0succeed\u00a0for the rocket, the\u00a0Orion\u00a0spacecraft, and\u00a0ultimately the\u00a0crew.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex\">\n<div class=\"blockquote-image hds-cover-wrapper margin-right-3\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?w=150&amp;h=150&amp;crop=1\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Erik Richards\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?resize=200,200 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-11\">\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-name line-height-sm margin-0\">Erik Richards<\/p>\n<p class=\"blockquote-credit-title line-height-sm padding-0 margin-0\">NASA Near Space Network Mission Manager<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the months leading up to launch, Richards has supported extensive testing, requirements development, and readiness operations to prepare the network.&nbsp;During the mission, he will be on console,&nbsp;monitoring&nbsp;data flow and coordinating support across NASA and&nbsp;its&nbsp;partner sites worldwide.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The support Richards and his team provide Artemis II will carry forward to Artemis III and NASA\u2019s goal of&nbsp;a&nbsp;sustained&nbsp;human presence on the lunar surface. For Richards, being part of that progression&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;from shuttle to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Moon and eventually Mars&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;connects him to&nbsp;his&nbsp;childhood love of spaceflight.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe most exciting part about&nbsp;the&nbsp;Artemis&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;is being part of something greater,\u201d&nbsp;said&nbsp;Richards. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be an astronaut&nbsp;to&nbsp;contribute to the future&nbsp;of human exploration.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-about-the-author nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-about-the-author\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-x-0 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black padding-top-3\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h3 class=\"heading-14\">About the Author<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container padding-x-0 maxw-widescreen\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-author-thumbnail mobile:circle-6 mobile:maxw-6 circle-card maxw-card thumbnail margin-right-2 desktop:margin-right-5\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"10rem\" height=\"10rem\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"avatar avatar-300 photo medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/cropped-powers-photo-2-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Korine Powers\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-29 line-height-sm\">Korine Powers<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"heading-12 p-md\">Lead Writer and Communications Strategist<\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-y-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-9\">\n<p class=\"margin-top-0\">Korine Powers, Ph.D. is a writer for NASA&#039;s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program office and covers emerging technologies, commercialization efforts, exploration activities, and more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 nasa_template_article_c hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-credits-and-details\">\n<section class=\"padding-x-0 padding-top-5 padding-bottom-2 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-2 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Share<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-bottom-2\">\n<ul class=\"social-icons social-icons-round\">\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-x\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/intent\/tweet?via=NASA&#038;text=I%20Am%20Artemis%3A%20Erik%20Richards&#038;%23038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fi-am-artemis%2Fi-am-artemis-erik-richards%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on X.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"1200\" height=\"1227\" viewBox=\"0 0 1200 1227\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M714.163 519.284L1160.89 0H1055.03L667.137 450.887L357.328 0H0L468.492 681.821L0 1226.37H105.866L515.491 750.218L842.672 1226.37H1200L714.137 519.284H714.163ZM569.165 687.828L521.697 619.934L144.011 79.6944H306.615L611.412 515.685L658.88 583.579L1055.08 1150.3H892.476L569.165 687.854V687.828Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fi-am-artemis%2Fi-am-artemis-erik-richards%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M9 8h-3v4h3v12h5v-12h3.642l.358-4h-4v-1.667c0-.955.192-1.333 1.115-1.333h2.885v-5h-3.808c-3.596 0-5.192 1.583-5.192 4.615v3.385z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fmissions%2Fartemis%2Fi-am-artemis%2Fi-am-artemis-erik-richards%2F\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.98 3.5c0 1.381-1.11 2.5-2.48 2.5s-2.48-1.119-2.48-2.5c0-1.38 1.11-2.5 2.48-2.5s2.48 1.12 2.48 2.5zm.02 4.5h-5v16h5v-16zm7.982 0h-4.968v16h4.969v-8.399c0-4.67 6.029-5.052 6.029 0v8.399h4.988v-10.131c0-7.88-8.922-7.593-11.018-3.714v-2.155z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"social-icon social-icon-rss\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feed\/\" aria-label=\"Subscribe to RSS feed.\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 800 800\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M493 652H392c0-134-111-244-244-244V307c189 0 345 156 345 345zm71 0c0-228-188-416-416-416V132c285 0 520 235 520 520z\"\/><circle cx=\"219\" cy=\"581\" r=\"71\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Details<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Last Updated<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Mar 27, 2026<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Jimi Russell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Contact<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-3\">\n<div>Korine Powers<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"mailto:&#107;orine&#038;%2346;&#038;%23112;&#038;%23111;w&#038;%23101;rs&#038;%2364;&#038;%23110;&#038;%2397;&#038;%23115;&#038;%2397;.&#038;%23103;ov\">&#107;or&#105;&#110;e&#46;&#112;&#111;&#119;&#101;rs&#64;&#110;as&#97;&#46;g&#111;&#118;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-4\">\n<div class=\"subheading\">Location<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-8\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-5 padding-right-4 margin-bottom-5 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"padding-top-3 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-black \">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-14\">Related Terms<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"article-tags\">\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/i-am-artemis\/\">I Am Artemis<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission\/artemis-ii\/\">Artemis 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/\">Communicating and Navigating with Missions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\">Goddard Space Flight Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"article-tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/space-operations\/space-communications-and-navigation-scan-program\/\">Space Communications &amp; Navigation Program<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full width-full maxw-full padding-x-3 padding-y-0 hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-related-articles\">\n<section class=\"hds-related-articles padding-x-0 padding-y-3 desktop:padding-top-7 desktop:padding-bottom-9\">\n<div class=\"w-100 grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0 text-align-left\">\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n<h2 style=\"max-width: 100%;\" class=\"width-full w-full maxw-full\">Explore More<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container maxw-widescreen padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/nasa-selects-participants-to-track-artemis-ii-mission\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/orion-at-moon-gif.gif?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA Selects Participants to Track Artemis II Mission<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 months ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/networks-keeping-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-connected\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg 2200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/d2022-1116-rl7026.jpg?resize=2000,1334 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">5 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">Networks Keeping NASA\u2019s Artemis II Mission Connected<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 months ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-4 margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0 desktop:padding-right-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/space-comms\/o2o\/\" class=\"color-carbon-black\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black minh-mobile\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg 920w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/laser-dome-for-web-anu.jpg?resize=900,507 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"padding-right-0 desktop:padding-right-10\">\n<div class=\"subheading margin-bottom-1\">4 min read<\/div>\n<div class=\"margin-bottom-1\">\n<h3 class=\"related-article-title\">NASA&#8217;s Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System (O2O)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label related-article-label margin-bottom-1 color-carbon-60\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"display-flex flex-align-center margin-right-2\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Article<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 years ago\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More Topics From NASA<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Artemis<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg 4640w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/artemis-ii-at-the-pad-full-snow.jpg?resize=1333,2000 1333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/nsn\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Near Space Network<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=1024,1024 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=1536,1536 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=2048,2048 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=50,50 50w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=100,100 100w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=200,200 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=400,400 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=600,600 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=900,900 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=1200,1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/nsn-hero-image.png?resize=2000,2000 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Communicating with Missions<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg 5184w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PIA17790_orig.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/lasercomms\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Laser Communications<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/microsoftteams-image-66.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen to this audio excerpt from Erik Richards, Near Space Network Mission Manager: For Erik Richards, supporting\u00a0NASA\u2019s\u00a0first crewed Artemis\u00a0mission\u00a0to the Moon and back\u00a0is the culmination of a career spent helping spacecraft communicate\u00a0with Earth.\u00a0 Like many kids who grew up at the height of the Space Shuttle\u00a0Program, Richards dreamed of spaceflight\u00a0\u2014 a\u00a0dream\u00a0that\u00a0eventually\u00a0took him\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0remote\u00a0McMurdo Station\u00a0in Antarctica to [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15741,15681,15614,16944,15682],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-395085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-artemis-2","category-communicating-and-navigating-with-missions","category-goddard-space-flight-center","category-i-am-artemis","category-space-communications-navigation-program"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=395085"}],"version-history":[{"count":119,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":398773,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395085\/revisions\/398773"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=395085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=395085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=395085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}