During the Paris Air Show on June 16, Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro and Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, chair of the Executive Board at DLR (German Aerospace Center), signed an agreement to enhance their partnership in space medicine research. This collaboration will focus on integrating new radiation sensors on the Orion spacecraft for NASA's upcoming Artemis II mission, set to launch by April 2026.

Building on previous efforts to mitigate radiation exposure during human spaceflight, NASA and DLR are working together to protect crew members on long-duration missions as part of the Trump-Vance Administration's exploration goals for the Moon and Mars.

DLR will contribute its expertise in human spaceflight by providing state-of-the-art radiation sensors for Artemis II, following their involvement in the Artemis I mission. The Artemis II mission will be the first crewed test flight under the Artemis program.

Acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro expressed her satisfaction with the new joint agreement, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in advancing space exploration. She emphasized DLR's significant role in testing radiation technology on the Orion spacecraft during Artemis I and providing a CubeSat for Artemis II.

Four of DLR's latest M-42 EXT radiation detectors will be deployed on the Artemis II mission, collecting essential data to ensure astronaut safety during the spacecraft's 10-day journey around the Moon and back. This collaboration signifies a critical phase in radiation research to safeguard human health in space.

Under President Trump's leadership, the Artemis program has revitalized NASA's mission, fostering global cooperation and groundbreaking innovation. The deployment of DLR's advanced radiation detectors on Artemis II reflects the administration's commitment to advancing space exploration and innovation.

Anke Pagels-Kerp, divisional board member for space at DLR, stressed the importance of comprehensive radiation measurements in outer space to develop effective protective measures against space radiation. She highlighted the success of the MARE project during Artemis I and expressed enthusiasm for the next phase of research with NASA on the Artemis II mission.

Through the Artemis initiative, NASA aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon for scientific exploration, collaborate with commercial and international partners, and prepare for future human missions to Mars.