The hidden but vital role of gases on board Artemis II

  • Gas
  • April 9, 2026

Industrial gases have played a key role at all stages of the Artemis II space mission – from the and round-the-clock operations to the far side of the moon, right up to the scheduled return to the Pacific Ocean on Friday evening (10 March).

Nitrogen and oxygen are both critical in the re-entry phase – often the most dangerous part of space flight – by maintaining a breathable atmosphere, regulating pressure, and supporting crew life systems within the Orion spacecraft.These stored gases, alongside potable water, are part of the consumable storage system that keeps crew members safe.

The Artemis II mission relied on a complex supply chain of cryogenic oxygen and hydrogen for liftoff, nitrogen for ground safety, and high-purity gases for space manoeuvres, with industrial gas producers ensuring the necessary purity and quantity for a safe flight.

image

… to continue reading this article and more, please login, register for free, or consider subscribing to gasworld

You’ve reached your weekly limit to access free articles!

Want to keep reading?

Please register for free and create a profile to gain access to this full article and gasworld’s daily news.

For access to more content including our monthly digital magazines, subscriber-only features or columns and all our other gasworld archives, please consider subscribing.

Alternatively, you can continue reading more articles as a guest on Thursday, 16th April at 5:28PM

   

  • Related Posts

    • Gas
    • September 25, 2026
    CO2 and cheap power shape next wave of e-fuel projects

    CO2 and cheap power shape next wave of e-fuel projects | Energy | gasworld ©Shutterstock By 30 min ago 1 min read The availability of low-cost, low-carbon electricity and carbon…

    • Gas
    • September 25, 2026
    CO2 Summit: 10 takeaways from New Orleans

    The North American merchant carbon dioxide (CO2) market was under scrutiny last week as industry gathered in New Orleans for gasworld’s annual CO2 Summit. Amidst the pointed headlines and mounting…

    Have You Seen?

    India Weighs Mandatory Imported Coal Blending as Plant Stocks Crumble

    • September 25, 2026
    India Weighs Mandatory Imported Coal Blending as Plant Stocks Crumble

    EU Pressures UK to Match Its Tariffs on Chinese-Made Cars

    • September 25, 2026
    EU Pressures UK to Match Its Tariffs on Chinese-Made Cars

    Trump Advisers Study Impact of Diesel Export Ban

    • September 25, 2026
    Trump Advisers Study Impact of Diesel Export Ban

    CO2 and cheap power shape next wave of e-fuel projects

    • September 25, 2026
    CO2 and cheap power shape next wave of e-fuel projects

    CO2 Summit: 10 takeaways from New Orleans

    • September 25, 2026
    CO2 Summit: 10 takeaways from New Orleans

    Video | De-risking the next generation of CO2 sources

    • September 25, 2026
    Video | De-risking the next generation of CO2 sources

    WCES targets India’s semiconductor market with specialty gas business

    • September 25, 2026
    WCES targets India’s semiconductor market with specialty gas business

    India Says It Will Keep Exporting Diesel

    • September 25, 2026
    India Says It Will Keep Exporting Diesel

    Netherlands Pushes to Scrap EU Gas Storage Mandate After $1.14 Billion Bill

    • September 25, 2026
    Netherlands Pushes to Scrap EU Gas Storage Mandate After $1.14 Billion Bill

    Ukraine Drone Strike Knocks Out Russia’s Novoshakhtinsk Refinery

    • September 25, 2026
    Ukraine Drone Strike Knocks Out Russia’s Novoshakhtinsk Refinery