Amentum Delivers Advanced Engineering for Key Artemis II Launch Rehearsal

Key Terms

countdown demonstration test (cddt) technical

A countdown demonstration test verifies that a device or system’s countdown timer and related functions work accurately and reliably under normal operating conditions, similar to checking a microwave’s timer to make sure it ends cooking when expected. Investors pay attention because successful demonstrations reduce the risk of product malfunctions, support regulatory approval and customer acceptance, and can accelerate commercialization and revenue realization.

orion spacecraft technical

A crew-capable deep-space vehicle designed to carry astronauts and cargo beyond low-Earth orbit, used for missions such as lunar and planetary exploration. Investors watch the Orion spacecraft because its development, launches and related contracts affect the revenues, costs and risk profiles of aerospace suppliers and contractors—like a new long-distance passenger train that creates business for builders, maintenance crews and component makers.

space launch system (sls) technical

A space launch system (SLS) is a heavy-lift rocket and its supporting ground systems used to send spacecraft, cargo or crew from Earth into space — like a freight truck plus highway built for moving very large loads off-planet. It matters to investors because SLS programs involve substantial contracts, capital spending and technical or schedule risks; successes can create long-term revenue streams, while delays or failures can materially affect a company’s financial outlook and stock price.

exploration ground systems (egs) technical

Exploration ground systems (EGS) are the network of Earth-based facilities, hardware and software that plan, command, monitor and receive data from space missions, including control centers, antennas, mission planning tools and data-processing systems. For investors, EGS represent the infrastructure and services that enable mission success, shape operating costs, drive contract revenue and create long-term technical risk or competitive advantage—think of them as a mission’s control tower and logistics hub combined.

launch control center technical

A launch control center is a dedicated team or hub that coordinates all activities needed to bring a new product, drug or service to market, including operations, regulatory approvals, supply chain, sales and communications. It matters to investors because a well-run center reduces the risk of delays, cost overruns and regulatory missteps—like an air traffic control tower for a rollout that helps ensure on-time delivery, predictable revenue and smoother execution of a company’s growth plan.

Company Powers NASA’s Countdown Demonstration Test at the Kennedy Space Center

CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amentum (NYSE: AMTM) delivered advanced end-to-end ground systems engineering for a key Artemis II launch rehearsal at the Kennedy Space Center on December 20. The Countdown Demonstration Test (CDDT) simulated launch day operations for the integrated Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS). During the Artemis II mission, Orion will carry four astronauts on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon and back. It will be propelled by the SLS, the most powerful and capable rocket NASA has ever built.

Artemis II crew L-R: Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Pilot Victor Glover, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch

“As the first crewed mission on NASA's path to establishing a long-term presence on the Moon, Artemis II represents a groundbreaking step in human space exploration,” said Mark Walter, Amentum’s president of Engineering & Technology. “The successful execution of the Countdown Demonstration Test highlights the depth and breadth of Amentum’s capabilities, including launch vehicle integration, spacecraft processing, and ground systems engineering. With this critical milestone we continue to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in high consequence launch operations.”

Under NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) program, Amentum provides engineering and systems integration for Artemis II. Amentum is responsible for modernizing ground equipment, integrating launch vehicles, and assisting with launch, recovery, and overall operations for Orion and the SLS.

Amentum played a direct role in the configuration and systems performance of the crew module during the CDDT full vehicle power-up. The company mobilized more than 300 personnel across critical functions including countdown operations and field support. Key team members also assumed critical roles in the Firing Room, the heart of NASA’s Launch Control Center, where engineers conduct pre-launch checks, monitor systems, and issue commands to the rocket and spacecraft.

Finally, Amentum provided support on the Launch Control System (LCS), the software backbone of the Firing Room. LCS enabled real-time data processing, remote command and control, and comprehensive data recording throughout the test, ensuring safe and efficient operations. This critical software infrastructure is essential to every phase of integrated testing and launch countdown.

Artemis II is expected to launch no later than April 2026.

About Amentum

Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply undaunted curiosity, relentless ambition and boundless imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments are underpinned by the belief that safety, collaboration and well-being are integral to success. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, we have approximately 50,000 employees in more than 70 countries across all 7 continents.

Visit us at amentum.com to learn how we advance the future together.

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Media Contact:

David Hylton

david.hylton@amentum.com

Investor Contact:

Nathan Rutledge

IR@amentum.com

Source: Amentum