FAIRMONT, WV – NASA’s Artemis II mission marks humanity’s first crewed return to the Moon in more than fifty years, showcasing the power of sustained vision, precision, and perseverance. Since launch, Orion has carried its crew farther from Earth than any humans in history, circled the Moon’s far side, and returned breathtaking views and invaluable knowledge that will guide future exploration. While Artemis II unfolds in space, TMC Technologies teams remain grounded, diligently safeguarding the software systems that enable the mission and every future Artemis step.

As a prime and subcontract partner across multiple NASA Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) initiatives, TMC Technologies has delivered and continues to support the tools, simulations, and assurance capabilities that help ensure Artemis II flight software performs reliably and safely throughout the mission.

Enabling Confidence in Flight-Critical Software Under NASA's
System and Software Engineering Tools 2 (SET2) contract, TMC Technologies leads a team providing digital infrastructure crucial for IV&V analysis at mission scale. This infrastructure played a central role in certifying Artemis II’s software before launch and now supports ongoing reviews to refine future missions.

“Our SET2 team provided much of the technology foundation that enabled NASA IV&V to identify, characterize, and mitigate critical software risks ahead of launch,” said Chris Williams, TMC SET2 Program Manager and SWAT Operations Team Lead. “Seeing Artemis II successfully transition from analysis to flight is an incredibly rewarding milestone for the entire team.”

High-Fidelity Simulation for Crew Safety
A major achievement for Artemis II was TMC’s work with NASA IV&V’s John McBride Software Testing and Research (JSTAR) organization. TMC engineers were instrumental in developing the Advanced Risk Reduction Integrated Software Test & Operations Tri Program Lightweight Environment or ARRISTOTLE which is NASA’s comprehensive digital simulator for Artemis flights, a tool critical for verifying mission scenarios and crew safety.

It runs the actual flight software used by the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion and simulates Kennedy Space Center ground systems, allowing NASA to rigorously test both standard and emergency scenarios. This approach enabled thorough pre-launch readiness evaluations and informed ongoing post-launch analysis.

“ARRISTOTLE integrates SLS, the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and Kennedy Space Center’s Ground Launch Software into a single high-fidelity environment for crewed spaceflight,” said Steve Yokum, Senior Systems Engineer at TMC Technologies. “That level of integration is essential for validating complex behaviors before astronauts ever leave Earth.”

Independent Assurance During a Historic Mission
In parallel, TMC Technologies supported Artemis II IV&V activities under NASA’s Systems and Software Assurance (SAS2) program as a subcontractor to SAIC. Seven TMC specialists focused on the mission’s most critical flight software by:

• Performing requirements analysis, static code analysis, and expert manual reviews

• Conducting independent testing for high-criticality scenarios to uncover emergent system behavior

• Tracking identified issues through resolution to improve reliability and safety

“Our team is proud to have supported Artemis II through its successful launch as part of an exceptionally capable IV&V workforce,” said Larry Ullom, TMC Technologies Program Manager. “Ensuring flight software robustness before liftoff directly contributes to crew safety and mission success.”

Commitment to the Artemis Program and Beyond
Denise Lindsey, Chief Strategist and Senior Vice President of the Federal Civilian Division, emphasized the broader significance of the achievement.

“Artemis II represents the culmination of years of dedication by our engineers, analysts, and assurance professionals,” Lindsey said. “TMC Technologies is honored to contribute to mission-critical systems that protect astronauts, advance science, and help return America to the Moon and beyond.”

TMC Technologies President and CEO Jeff Edgell praised the collaborative effort behind the mission.
“Artemis II is a historic moment for the nation and for human spaceflight,” Edgell said. “The professionalism, technical excellence, and commitment demonstrated by our NASA teams exemplify the very best of TMC Technologies. I could not be prouder of the role our people played in strengthening the safety and reliability of this mission as it now flies.”

For more information, please contact John Dahlia at TMC Technologies at (304) 276-3161 or by email at john.dahlia@tmctechnologies.com.