Proximity Operations Demonstration from Mission Control

jsc2026e019217 (April 1, 2026) – Lead Artemis II Flight Director Jeff Radigan in the White Flight Control Room at the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. At the time of this photograph, a little over three hours into the mission, the Artemis II crew was conducting a manual piloting test called the proximity operations demonstration. During the demonstration, mission controllers monitored Orion as the astronauts transitioned the spacecraft to manual mode and piloted its flight path and orientation. This demonstration will provide performance data and operational experience that cannot be readily gained on the ground in preparation for critical rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, and undocking for future Artemis missions. Credit: NASA