Full Breakdown
University of New Brunswick's Role in Tracking Artemis II Mission
4/11/2026, 11:18:56 AM
Successful Signal Reception from Artemis II
The Artemis II mission, which launched on April 1, 2023, has engaged various global ground stations to assist in tracking the spacecraft's journey to the Moon. Among these, the University of New Brunswick (UNB) has made notable contributions by successfully receiving radio signals from the spacecraft using a repurposed satellite dish. This achievement was realized by a team of volunteers, including students and faculty, who utilized a 1.8-meter dish to capture the spacecraft's signals, despite NASA's recommendation for a minimum dish size of nine meters.
Megan MacDonald, a master's student in electrical engineering, expressed her excitement upon receiving the signal, noting its clarity and the observable Doppler shift as the spacecraft moved away from Earth. The team has been actively monitoring the spacecraft's progress, culminating in a final detection of the signal before the crew's expected return at 8:07 p.m. ET.
Importance of Volunteer Contributions
NASA's Deep Space Network, a series of large receivers positioned globally, primarily facilitates communication with Artemis II. However, the data collected by volunteer groups like the one at UNB enhances the precision of tracking the spacecraft's location throughout its mission. Brent Petersen, a professor in UNB's department of electrical and computer engineering, highlighted that this additional data serves as a verification tool for NASA's existing network.
The initiative aims to foster the development of capabilities among commercial and academic entities, preparing them for an anticipated increase in lunar missions in the future. Richard Langley, a professor in geodesy and geomatics at UNB, noted that the project provided students with a practical application of communications technology, enriching their educational experience.
Perspectives from Participants
Students involved in the project expressed a sense of connection to the mission. Olivia Gerry Rice, a computer science undergraduate, remarked on the excitement of interpreting the incoming signals. MacDonald emphasized the significance of the Artemis II mission in rekindling interest in space exploration among younger generations, allowing them to engage in hands-on experiences related to current events in space science.
Official Statements & Responses
NASA's initiative to include volunteer ground stations is designed to enhance the accuracy of tracking missions like Artemis II. Brent Petersen stated, “They’ll use all of that information from all the other observing stations to help characterize or to check if we’re doing things okay.” This collaborative effort underscores the importance of community involvement in advancing space exploration.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
An earlier version of this report inaccurately stated that NASA selected 47 locations for tracking the Artemis II mission. The correct number is 34 locations across 14 countries, including the University of New Brunswick.
Verbatim Quotes
- “so it couldn’t be anything else,” — Megan MacDonald, Master’s Student in Electrical Engineering
- “Ours is the little dish that could,” — Richard Langley, Professor in Geodesy and Geomatics
- “It was pretty cool to share in the excitement,” — Olivia Gerry Rice, Computer Science Undergraduate
- “From my perspective as a younger person, I feel like interest in space kind of ebbs and flows,” — Megan MacDonald, Master’s Student in Electrical Engineering
