Life Aboard Artemis II: A Tight Fit in Space

Once preparations are complete, the team is looking ahead to significant strides in space exploration.

Life on the Artemis II moon mission will likely be cramped and, let’s be honest, probably not the freshest experience. This isn’t a massive upgrade from over 50 years ago when humans last ventured into deep space.

The Orion capsule for Artemis II offers around 330 cubic feet of living space. That’s about 50% more than the 210 cubic feet available in the command module during the Apollo missions.

However, this time, Artemis will take four astronauts instead of Apollo’s three. So, the additional space won’t mean much for privacy or comfort.

While the Orion capsule carries a bit more cargo per astronaut, those four crew members will be floating in an area roughly equivalent to two minivans for nearly two weeks.

The Artemis crew will have a busy schedule. They’ll engage in scientific research, ensure the spacecraft functions well, and go through daily routines, including eating, bathing, sleeping, exercising, and, yes, using the toilet—all in a tight space for ten days.

Back during Apollo, due to the close quarters, the capsule had an unpleasant odor when the crew finally re-entered, akin to a locker room bathroom.

Yet, Artemis brings some improvements in hygiene. The Orion capsule is fitted with a suction toilet tucked away in the floor, plus a separate door that allows for some much-needed privacy while using it in space.

This is especially significant because Artemis will be the first deep space mission to include a woman, making a bathroom door a welcome feature.

In contrast, Apollo astronauts had to go commando with a sticky bag when nature called.

Although there are about 2,000 manual switches in Apollo, Artemis benefits from a more user-friendly setup, primarily controlled via a software interface.

Cleaning up is also more manageable on Artemis, where astronauts can use wet wipes and dry shampoo, unlike in Apollo, where cleanliness measures were limited and did little to eliminate the space funk.

When it comes to sleeping arrangements, crew members will again use hammocks that serve as sleeping bags, a practice reminiscent of the Apollo days.

As for food, it mirrors that of Apollo, relying mainly on dehydrated meals that require water to prepare.

The menu for Artemis features dishes like macaroni and cheese, beef brisket, broccoli gratin, and a variety of dry snacks like nuts and tortillas.

Though operating the Orion capsule is far simpler than dealing with the many manual controls of Apollo, as it primarily involves a more modern control panel and backup systems.

During downtime on the journey, the experience will be less analog compared to Apollo. Back then, astronauts entertained themselves with cassette players containing songs recorded by country legends like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.

This time, the Artemis crew will have tablets loaded with their favorite TV shows if the need for relaxation arises.

Still, much like the Apollo astronauts, today’s moon crews will likely spend any free moments tossing snacks and drinks across the small cabin.