UNB's Groundbreaking Involvement in NASA's Artemis II Mission

The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has etched its name in the annals of space exploration history by becoming the sole Canadian academic institution tasked with tracking NASA's Artemis II mission. From its Fredericton campus in Atlantic Canada, a dedicated team of engineering faculty and students is capturing radio signals from the Orion spacecraft, dubbed Integrity, as it completes a pioneering crewed lunar flyby. This 10-day journey marks the first time humans have ventured around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, carrying four astronauts including Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

UNB's selection from a global pool of applicants underscores the university's prowess in satellite communications and aerospace engineering. Operating out of the UNB Earth Station, the team contributes valuable data to NASA's network, helping validate tracking capabilities for future deep-space endeavors like Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface.

The Selection Process and UNB's Unique Position

NASA issued a request for proposals in August 2025, inviting academic institutions, commercial providers, and amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide to participate in passive tracking of Orion's radio transmissions. By January 2026, 34 groups were chosen, including just three from Canada—with UNB standing alone as the only university. This volunteer effort assembles a diverse global network to monitor the spacecraft's journey, providing redundancy and insights into signal propagation over vast distances.

For UNB, located in the maritime province of New Brunswick, this opportunity highlights Atlantic Canada's emerging role in high-tech research. Unlike larger institutions in Ontario or British Columbia with established space programs, UNB's involvement demonstrates how regional universities can punch above their weight through innovative facilities and dedicated expertise. The project's low-cost, high-impact nature aligns perfectly with higher education's push toward experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Meet the Team Leading the Tracking Efforts

At the helm is Dr. Brent Petersen, a professor of communications in UNB's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. With years of experience in satellite systems, Petersen has guided students through rigorous preparations, including obtaining amateur radio licenses and fine-tuning equipment over eight months. His team includes graduate student Megan MacDonald, sixth-year software engineering student Olivia Gerry Rice, fourth-year electrical engineering student Chris Carson, and others from UNB's CubeSatNB project and Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering.

Petersen's passion shines through: "When I was a child, I saw them land on the moon on a black and white TV, and so to have the students of this generation be involved in that is just fantastic." Students echo this excitement. MacDonald noted the challenges: "It’s very difficult… there’s so much interference and it’s so far away and there are so many variables." Rice added, "I’m taking every opportunity, getting my foot in the door in the space industry." Carson aspired, "I would love to go into a career in space."

Technology Powering UNB's Deep-Space Tracking

The UNB Earth Station, perched atop Gillin Hall, features a 6-foot-diameter satellite dish originally designed for Earth-orbit communications, not deep space. Repurposed for this mission, it captures faint radio frequency signals from Orion, feeding them into computers and software-defined radios for analysis. The setup proved its mettle earlier by detecting signals from the James Webb Space Telescope in February 2026.

Tracking involves precise calculations: predicting Orion's position, adjusting for Earth's rotation, atmospheric interference, and signal Doppler shifts due to the spacecraft's speed—up to 25,000 miles per hour. Step-by-step, the process unfolds as follows:

• Compute Orion's trajectory using NASA's Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW).
• Align the antenna to the exact azimuth and elevation (e.g., 186.5 degrees azimuth, 16.5 degrees elevation).
• Amplify and filter incoming signals amid noise.
• Record spectrum data for NASA submission.
• Verify detection through waterfall plots showing signal peaks.

This hands-on tech integration teaches students radio frequency engineering, orbital mechanics, and data processing—core skills for modern aerospace careers.

Milestone Achievement: First Contact with Orion Integrity 🌕

On April 4, 2026, at 5:12 a.m. Atlantic Daylight Time (08:12 UTC), Petersen and MacDonald achieved breakthrough contact. With the antenna pointed over the Student Union Building, they detected Orion's transmissions when it was 16.5 degrees above the horizon. High-fives erupted in the control room, a moment captured in UNB's celebratory photos. Signals were weaker than those from nearer objects but unmistakable, confirming the station's viability for lunar distances.

Daily tracking has continued as Orion loops back toward Earth, with data shared directly with NASA. Dr. Richard Langley, a geodesy professor involved, remarked, "Aerospace engineering is alive and well at UNB." This success validates months of preparation and positions UNB for ongoing contributions.

Educational Impact: Hands-On Learning in Aerospace Engineering

For UNB's engineering students, this is no simulation—it's real-world immersion. Participants gain practical experience in satellite ground stations, signal processing, and mission operations, bridging classroom theory with professional practice. UNB's programs in electrical engineering, software engineering, and geomatics benefit immensely, attracting top talent to Atlantic Canada.

The CubeSatNB initiative, which builds student-designed nanosatellites, complements this by fostering end-to-end space project skills. Such opportunities enhance employability: graduates enter a booming sector where Canada's space economy is projected to grow to $5 billion by 2030, per CSA estimates. UNB's feat showcases how smaller universities deliver big on research-intensive education.

Jeremy Hansen's Role and Canadian Space Pride

Artemis II's crew—NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA's Jeremy Hansen—tests Orion's life support, navigation, and comms for sustained lunar presence. Hansen, a UNB alumnus in spirit through Canadian ties, embodies national pride. Premier Susan Holt visited the Earth Station, praising New Brunswick's "small but mighty" contributions. As Holt tweeted, the province proves it can achieve globally despite its size.

This collaboration strengthens Canada-U.S. space ties, building on CSA's Canadarm3 contributions to the Gateway lunar station. For Canadian higher ed, it spotlights interdisciplinary research, inspiring students nationwide. UNB's official announcement details the national significance.

Challenges Overcome and Lessons for Future Missions

Deep-space tracking poses hurdles: signal attenuation over 240,000 miles, multipath interference, and equipment limits. UNB's team mitigated these via software tweaks, precise timing, and persistent monitoring. Data from this mission will refine NASA's global tracking model, ensuring robust support for Artemis III (lunar landing) and Mars ambitions.

Benefits include:

• Enhanced student resumes with NASA credits.
• University prestige, boosting enrollment in STEM.
• Regional economic ripple via space tech startups.
• Public engagement, with live AROW tracking inspiring K-12 outreach.

UNB's Legacy in Space Research and Atlantic Innovation

While the Earth Station's full history traces to satellite comms research, recent feats like James Webb tracking elevate its profile. Collaborations with CubeSatNB and geomatics position UNB as an Atlantic hub for aerospace. Compared to peers like University of Calgary or Western University, UNB's volunteer-model success democratizes space access for regional institutions.

This aligns with Canada's space strategy, emphasizing university-led innovation. For higher ed, it models partnerships yielding funding, talent, and impact. NASA's selection details affirm UNB's rigor.

Career Opportunities in Space Engineering from UNB

Participants eye roles at CSA, NASA contractors, or firms like MDA Space. Skills gained—RF engineering, orbital prediction, data analytics—transfer to telecoms, defense, and autonomy. UNB grads contribute to a sector needing 10,000+ specialists by 2030. Programs like co-ops and CubeSat projects prepare students holistically.

Prospective students: UNB offers affordable tuition, vibrant community, and now, moonshot credentials. Explore CBC coverage for inspiration.

Looking Ahead: Artemis III and Beyond for Canadian Higher Ed

Artemis II data paves UNB's path to future roles, potentially active relays or lunar network tests. Nationally, it spurs investments in university space infrastructure amid federal priorities. For Atlantic Canada, it counters brain drain, fostering local talent retention.

UNB exemplifies how higher education drives national ambitions: rigorous training, global partnerships, transformative experiences. As Orion splashes down, its legacy endures in Fredericton's skies and Canada's classrooms.

Photo by Nasjere Williams on Unsplash