Amentum Powers Ground Systems Operations for NASA’s Historic Artemis II Mission

Key Terms

crawler transporter technical

A crawler transporter is a very large, slow-moving heavy-duty vehicle used to carry massive structures—such as rockets, launch platforms, or industrial modules—between assembly sites and launch pads or installation points. Think of it as a giant, motorized flatbed truck designed to protect fragile, high-value cargo during careful relocation; for investors, its availability, reliability and cost can affect project schedules, maintenance bills and the timing of revenue for aerospace, defense and large-scale engineering companies.

mobile launcher technical

A mobile launcher is a heavy, movable platform and support structure that transports, raises and holds a rocket on the launch pad and provides power, fueling and access until liftoff. Think of it like a mobile stage and service crew for a concert: it carries the main equipment, supplies utilities and enables quick setup and teardown. For investors, a mobile launcher represents significant capital spending, affects how often launches can occur, and influences operational risk and revenue potential for launch service providers.

emergency escape system technical

An emergency escape system is the equipment and planned actions that get people out of a hazardous situation quickly and safely—examples include evacuation slides, escape pods, lifeboats, and protected stair or chute routes. Investors care because these systems affect regulatory compliance, insurance costs, and reputation: a reliable escape system lowers the risk of costly accidents, shutdowns, fines or lawsuits, while failures can damage cash flow and share value, like a company’s safety seatbelt and airbag.

wet dress rehearsal technical

A wet dress rehearsal is a final, full practice of a rocket launch sequence that includes loading propellant and running through countdown procedures exactly as would occur on launch day. For investors, it matters because it exposes technical or logistical problems under realistic conditions, so a successful rehearsal reduces the risk of costly delays or failures and increases confidence in the timing and potential revenue of upcoming missions.

hypergolic servicing technical

Hypergolic servicing is refueling or maintaining spacecraft using propellants that ignite spontaneously when they touch each other, so tanks, valves and procedures are built to handle extremely reactive liquids. For investors, it matters because using these fuels affects a vehicle’s operational lifetime, safety requirements, insurance and regulatory costs, and the economics of in-orbit servicing or refueling businesses—similar to how a gas station that handles hazardous fuel has higher setup and running costs but enables continued vehicle use.

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.

Team Performs Seamless Launch Preparation and Pad Operations at Kennedy Space Center

CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Amentum (NYSE: AMTM) provided critical ground systems operations to NASA on the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight in the Artemis program. The mission marked a new era in human space exploration, advancing NASA’s objective of a sustainable lunar presence and setting the stage for future deep-space exploration and habitation.

“Artemis II is a giant leap not just for NASA, but for humanity’s reawakening to human space exploration,” said Mark Walter, president of Amentum’s Engineering & Technology business. “Amentum works at NASA space centers embedding advanced engineering directly into the environments where the nation’s most critical missions are planned, tested, and executed. We are proud to be a trusted partner as NASA takes this historic step forward, combining advanced engineering with operational excellence to enable safe and successful spaceflight.”

Amentum’s ground system support to Artemis II covered complex mission critical areas—from driving the iconic Crawler Transporter and integrating the vehicle on the Mobile Launcher, to deploying NASA’s Emergency Escape System and conducting a full Wet Dress Rehearsal. In addition to ground systems development and preparation, Amentum supported precision hypergolic servicing, or management of rocket fuels and oxidizers, meticulous SLS and Orion testing, closeout activities, and comprehensive system validations. Every operation reflected Amentum’s commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation—hallmarks of the company’s partnership in advancing human space exploration.

Amentum’s involvement extended beyond launch operations. Pre-launch, Amentum supported NASA by conducting scientific research, design, development, and testing for a number of Artemis program elements. Post-mission, Amentum supported NASA and the U.S. Navy with recovering the Orion spacecraft from the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, ensuring the integrity of the vehicle and the safety of its crew as they return to Earth.

The success of Artemis II reaffirms Amentum’s commitment to NASA delivering the engineering innovation, operational excellence, and mission-critical performance required to advance NASA’s long-term goals for sustained lunar exploration and habitation in future deep-space missions.

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