# Artemis II Mission Tracker

> Real-time 3D interactive tracker for NASA's Artemis II crewed lunar mission.

## About This Site

This website provides a real-time 3D visualization of NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight to the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. Users can track the Orion spacecraft's position, view its trajectory from Earth to the Moon and back, monitor telemetry data, and explore the mission timeline.

## Key Facts

- Artemis II is NASA's first crewed lunar mission since 1972
- Launch target: April 2026 from Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39B
- Mission duration: approximately 10 days
- Spacecraft: Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) + European Service Module
- Rocket: Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1
- Trajectory type: Free-return (uses Moon's gravity for safe return)
- Total distance: approximately 685,000 km (425,000 miles)
- Lunar flyby altitude: 6,400 to 8,900 km above the lunar surface

## Crew

- **Reid Wiseman** (NASA), Commander
- **Victor Glover** (NASA), Pilot, first person of color on a lunar trajectory
- **Christina Koch** (NASA), Mission Specialist, first woman on a lunar trajectory
- **Jeremy Hansen** (CSA), Mission Specialist, first Canadian on a lunar trajectory

## Pages

- [Home](https://artemistracker.live/): Main 3D mission tracker with real-time visualization
- [About](https://artemistracker.live/about): Project background, real telemetry sourcing, and disclaimer
- [FAQ](https://artemistracker.live/faq): Frequently asked questions about Artemis II, the crew, and the Artemis program

## Technical Details

The 3D visualization uses procedurally generated shaders (no texture images) for Earth and Moon rendering. Earth features real-time day/night cycles with city lights, atmospheric scattering, cloud layers, and ice caps. The trajectory is computed from NASA's published mission profile using JPL Horizons ephemeris data.

## Disclaimer

This is an independent fan project for educational purposes. Not affiliated with NASA, CSA, or ESA.