Onyx Aerospace is proud to support NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Artemis program and a major step toward sustained human exploration beyond Earth orbit. One system plays a critical role in moving Orion from Earth orbit to deep space: the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (iCPS). 

Positioned between the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage and the Orion spacecraft, iCPS executes the precise propulsion events required to send astronauts safely on their journey around the Moon. 

Proven Heritage, Enhanced for Artemis 

iCPS is derived from United Launch Alliance's Delta IV upper stage and incorporates a proven architecture with modifications to support SLS mission requirements. 

That heritage provides a strong technical foundation. It combines: 

  • Cryogenic propulsion using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen 
  • A high-efficiency RL10 engine 
  • Flight-proven avionics and control systems 

For Artemis II, the system benefits directly from flight data gathered during Artemis I. That data enables refined procedures, improved operational confidence, and tighter integration across the vehicle stack. 

Onyx's Role in iCPS Integration and Mission Success 

Onyx Aerospace is a key contributor to the iCPS program and the second-largest supplier to The Boeing Company, the SLS prime contractor for the stage. 

Team Onyx supports critical aspects of iCPS development and operations, helping ensure the stage performs as required. 

A Defining Moment for Human Spaceflight 

On April 2, Orion successfully completed its Trans-Lunar Injection burn and departed Earth orbit. For the first time since Apollo 17, humans are traveling beyond low Earth orbit. 

This milestone underscores the importance of iCPS as an enabling system for crewed exploration. By delivering Orion onto its translunar trajectory with accuracy and reliability, iCPS directly supports NASA's long-term goals for lunar operations and future missions to Mars. 

Looking Ahead 

As Artemis II continues to build on the success of Artemis I, systems like iCPS show how proven engineering, precise integration, and cross-team collaboration enable human exploration at scale. 

For Onyx Aerospace, participation in iCPS is both a technical achievement and a commitment to advancing the future of spaceflight, one mission-critical burn at a time.