Kentucky Space Grant Supports Research for Artemis II

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 26, 2026) — When NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a path around the moon — farther from Earth than any humans have traveled in decades — the world watched in awe.

Yet, one of the most critical parts of the journey remained invisible.

For a team of faculty, staff and students in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at University of Kentucky, that unseen work is their expertise.

Artemis II shows how research — right here in Kentucky — is helping address one of human spaceflight’s most dangerous challenges: surviving the fiery return to Earth.

“Whatever kinetic energy you have coming back from the moon has to go somewhere,” Alexandre Martin, Ph.D., professor of aerospace engineering and director of the Kentucky Space Grant Consortium and NASA EPSCoR programs, said.  “And most of it becomes heat. Without a heat shield, there is no safe return.”

On this edition of “Behind the Blue,” researchers share how their work made the “Mission to the Moon” possible — offering an inside look at the innovation behind heat shield technology and the role UK plays in advancing it.

Read the full article on uknow.uky.edu

Author Credit: Lindsey Piercy and Kody Kiser

Image Credit: Photo Courtesy of NASA/Bill Ingalls

Original Post Date: 5.26.2026