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Integrity (Orion callsign)
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Integrity (Orion callsign)

Crew-chosen callsign for the Artemis II Orion capsule.

Last refreshed: 3 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why did the Artemis II crew name their capsule Integrity?

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Background

The Artemis II crew christened their Orion capsule Integrity before the April 2026 lunar flyby, continuing a tradition that dates to the Mercury programme. The crew announced the name during pre-flight activities at Kennedy Space Center.

NASA spacecraft callsigns serve as radio identifiers between the crew and Mission Control. Apollo 11's Lunar Module was Eagle; Apollo 13's was Aquarius. The name does not appear in official NASA mission designations, where the vehicle is formally Orion Artemis II. Crew-chosen names typically reflect a theme the astronauts feel represents their mission.

The choice carries symbolic weight at a moment when the programme faces scrutiny over a $4 billion per-flight cost, cancelled Gateway infrastructure, and an unrepaired heat shield. Whether the name ages well depends on the mission's outcome.

Common Questions
What is the Artemis II spacecraft called?
The crew named their Orion capsule Integrity.Source: Lowdown briefing coverage
Why did the astronauts name their capsule Integrity?
Crew-chosen callsigns are a NASA tradition dating to the Mercury programme. The crew picks a name that reflects their mission ethos.Source: NASA mission records
What were previous NASA spacecraft names?
Apollo 11 used Eagle and Columbia; Apollo 13 used Odyssey and Aquarius.Source: NASA mission records