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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2026 |
Everyday the Maine Turnpike carries the traffic helping to keep the state’s economy moving. But every now and then, something extraordinary travels this roadway.
That happened when specialized components for the Artemis II mission began their journey to NASA's Kennedy Space Center via the Turnpike. Using components built by two Maine manufacturers, these parts contributed to one of the most ambitious human spaceflight programs of our time.
The Artemis II mission launched on April 1, 2026, marking the first crewed flight to the Moon in over 50 years. Astronauts embarked on a 10-day mission, safely splashing down on April 10, 2026, after setting records for deep-space travel. NASA has confirmed the crew traveled 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the previous record for human distance in space.
“Moments like this show the essential role Maine's Turnpike plays in keeping innovation moving, said MTA Executive Director Andre Briere. "Whether it’s specialized components for a historic mission or the safe roads that carry scientists to their labs, Maine’s most reliable interstate supports the industries that depend on us. The work of Maine companies contributing to Artemis II is extraordinary, and we’re proud their journey begins on the Turnpike. It’s a reminder that investing in dependable transportation infrastructure is an investment in Maine’s future."
Just a short distance from Exit 32, FMI in Biddeford produced propulsion components for the Orion Launch Abort System used for the Artemis II mission. Their team understands how critical each step of the journey is in areospace transit. As FMI Spokesperson Kate Whitney put it: “Aerospace missions depend on precision at every step, including the journey to a component’s final destination. Reliable transit ensures that the parts built here in Maine arrive exactly where they need to be to support the teams who will send them into space."
According to NASA, the Artemis II flight successfully began a new era of exploration, laying the groundwork for the third Artemis mission next year, lunar surface missions, a Moon base, and future missions to Mars.
Our role at the Maine Turnpike Authority is simple: provide a safe roadway so shipments like these can reach their next destination. Supply chain timing and reliability matters. It’s the same work we do for freight carriers every day. We don’t claim any role in Artemis II—but knowing a piece of this mission began on this interstate is a point of pride. Moments like this remind us that Maine's Turnpike supports more than daily travel. It keeps industries moving and occasionally helps send Maine‑made innovation toward the Moon. We’re proud to serve Maine—and the journeys that start here.