In April 2026, the world watched as Artemis II circled the moon — and Syensqo was on board.
Artemis II was the first crewed mission in NASA’s attempts to return to the Moon. A key step in the broader Artemis space program, it was designed to test the systems needed to send astronauts deeper into space than ever before, marking a new era in human space exploration.
Advanced materials, such as those provided by Syensqo, are critical to the success of the Artemis missions. Designed to withstand extreme heat during launch and maintain structural integrity under intense mechanical stress, these high-performance aerospace materials supported Artemis II at all stages of the mission — from lift-off to the return to Earth.
But what are these materials and why are they so important?
What is Artemis II?
Artemis II is the second mission in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. Following the uncrewed Artemis I flight test, which took place in 2022, Artemis II was the first crewed mission in the program, taking humans beyond Earth’s orbit and toward the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.
The mission was designed to validate critical systems such as the Space Launch System (SLS), the rocket that powers the Artemis missions, generating the thrust required to launch the spacecraft beyond Earth’s orbit, and the Orion spacecraft, ensuring that both could safely support human life beyond low Earth orbit.
Over the course of the mission, which took place between April 1-11, 2026, four astronauts flew around the moon and returned home safely. They traveled over 400,000 km from Earth — out of radio contact and further than any human has ever traveled before.
The success of the Artemis II mission marked a key milestone in advancing long-term lunar exploration and expanding the possibilities of space missions. The broader Artemis program will now build on this success, with the goal of returning humans to the Moon, advancing scientific discovery and ultimately preparing for future missions to Mars.
What materials were used in Artemis II?
To be successful, space missions like Artemis II rely on carefully engineered, high-performance materials.
Advanced materials, engineered to perform in extreme environments, are particularly important. These materials must be strong, lightweight and durable, while demonstrating resistance to heat, pressure and radiation.
Composite materials in spacecraft structures
Composite materials, such as those produced by Syensqo, are widely used in aerospace applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. These materials help reduce overall mass while maintaining the structural integrity required to withstand flight, launch forces and space conditions.
Aerospace material solutions are commonly used in structural components across aerospace systems, including both spacecraft and aircraft composites applications, where performance and weight optimization are critical. Syensqo’s composite materials, for example, are used in aircraft structures like fuselage panels, wings and interiors, as well as space launch systems.
Heat-resistant materials and thermal protection
During launch and operation, spacecraft components are exposed to extreme temperatures. Thermal protection systems are therefore essential to shield critical parts from the heat generated by propulsion systems and environmental conditions.
High-temperature ablative materials, like Syensqo’s MX 4926 are designed to protect and insulate components by gradually dissipating heat. This enables reliable performance under some of the most demanding thermal conditions encountered during space missions, including deep-space travel and re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Adhesives and structural bonding solutions
Adhesives and advanced bonding solutions are essential in assembling complex aerospace structures. They enable the use of different materials, while ensuring durability and performance under extreme mechanical stress and temperature variations.
These solutions contribute to overall system reliability, ensuring that components remain securely bonded throughout the mission.
Why are advanced materials critical for space missions?
Space is one of the most challenging environments imaginable.
During a mission like Artemis II, components must withstand intense heat during launch, extreme mechanical forces and the vacuum of space. At the same time, they must remain as lightweight as possible to maximize aircraft efficiency.
This is exactly what advanced materials do.
From structural components to thermal protection systems, advanced materials are essential at every stage of a space mission. They combine strength, thermal resistance and durability to ensure both performance and safety throughout the mission.
Behind these materials are years of engineering, testing and collaboration to meet the highest standards required for space missions.
What role did Syensqo play in Artemis II?
Syensqo’s expertise in advanced materials for space and launch applications reflects decades of innovation supporting space missions and advancing material performance in extreme environments. The materials we provide are engineered specifically for use in these applications.
We have supplied innovative materials for space since the first Moon landing in 1969 and played a key role in supporting the Artemis II mission, providing high-performance materials designed for the most demanding environments. Syensqo supplies advanced materials used in the solid rocket motor (SRM) nozzles, located within Artemis’ Space Launch System.
Exposed to harsh exhaust gases during the rocket launch, the SRM nozzles require materials that can withstand both intense heat and mechanical stress.
Syensqo’s ablative material, MX 4926, was used in the SRM nozzles to protect components from the high-temperatures generated during launch. These materials offer insulation and thermal protection as the motor’s hot exhaust gases exit the nozzle by absorbing and dissipating heat through a controlled process of pyrolysis and surface charring.
Syensqo’s glass-phenolic structural overwrap material is also used to reinforce the nozzle, delivering the strength and durability required under demanding mechanical and thermal stresses.
While these high-performance ablative materials protect and insulate vital components, Syensqo’s composite and adhesive solutions reinforce the capsule structure against extreme forces.
These contributions are part of Syensqo’s broader portfolio of aerospace materials and solutions, supporting critical applications across the aerospace industry.
What is next for the Artemis missions?
Artemis II is a critical step in NASA’s long-term vision for space exploration. Future missions, including Artemis III, aim to return humans to the lunar surface and ultimately establish a sustained presence on the Moon.
As these missions progress, the importance of advanced materials will continue to grow. From enabling new technologies to supporting more complex and longer-duration missions, advanced materials will remain at the core of innovation in space exploration. And as space exploration evolves, the role of materials will extend beyond performance to include sustainability and long-term mission viability.
Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission in NASA’s Artemis space program. It sent four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon to test the systems required for future lunar and deep space missions.
Artemis II uses a range of advanced materials, including Syensqo’s composite materials for structural strength, heat-resistant materials for thermal protection and adhesives for bonding and durability.
Advanced materials are essential for withstanding extreme temperatures, mechanical stress and radiation while ensuring performance, safety and efficiency.
Syensqo supplies high-performance materials, including ablative materials, adhesives and composite solutions, used in critical aerospace applications such as rocket components and structural systems.
