The Artemis I mission won't carry any astronauts, but the spacecraft won't be empty. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will carry a host of instruments and experiments to help NASA better understand the environment future crews will experience – and develop effective protections.
 
This week, we're exploring the special cargo riding along for the Artemis I mission.

The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will not only take people on the most distant journeys to date but also open new frontiers for science and technology missions to deep space destinations. This animation shows how the SLS will transport CubeSats as secondary payloads on the Orion stage adapter during its first mission.
Available in English and Spanish

Which materials will block the most simulated space radiation, and be the best material to build a spacecraft? Students experiment with different materials to see which combinations best block a flashlight beam.

See the Attend section below for a live session to help implement this activity! 
Check out this infographic and fact sheet to learn more about the cargo tagging along on Artemis I.
Four species of tree seeds join the other purposeful passengers aboard the Artemis I rocket in commemoration of the 50-year legacy of Apollo Moon Trees. Research historical Moon Tree locations and learn more about NASA’s effort to honor the legacy of Apollo 14.

Can you find the Moon Tree nearest to you? How many miles away is it from your location? How were the Moon Tree locations selected?

Join us on Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. EDT, to learn how to bring the excitement of Artemis I Special Cargo – the purposeful passengers and miniature satellites – to your classrooms with hands-on activities and pedagogical recommendations. The hands-on activity highlighted in this session will simulate space radiation shielding on a spacecraft and the selection of materials to build a spacecraft.

A companion student session will be held the following day, Thursday, April 28, at 10 a.m. EDT.
Looking for a quick math challenge?

Check out this standards-aligned exercise that put a math twist on the topics of space radiation and solar activity data.

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NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement: https://stem.nasa.gov
NASA's Join Artemis Website: https://stem.nasa.gov/artemis/
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