The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced on Apr. 2 that its union members are playing a key role in NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is sending four astronauts on a fly-by trip around the Moon for the first time in over five decades.
The involvement of IAM union members is crucial to the success of Artemis II, as they have been instrumental in building, processing, and supporting much of the hardware and ground operations needed for this lunar flight test. The mission uses proven rocket technology from previous Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, including core stage components and engines originally built by IAM Local 971 members in Florida.
Union members from various IAM locals across several states have contributed at different stages of preparation. Members from Local 971 manufactured RL10 engines used to launch satellites into orbit, while Local 610 workers process incoming rocket stages once they arrive in Florida. United Launch Alliance (ULA) employees—members of Locals 610, 2061, and 44—have worked collaboratively with Boeing to build critical ICPS stages for each Artemis mission.
Local 44 members are responsible for transporting completed rocket stages by barge from Decatur, Alabama to Port Canaveral. Once there, Local 610 workers assist with offloading and transporting these components for final assembly at NASA facilities. Meanwhile, IAM Local 2061 supports vehicle stacking operations at Kennedy Space Center under multiple contracts—including COMET and BOSS—which cover everything from ground support equipment maintenance to operation of electrical systems vital during launch preparations.
Additional IAM teams work under specialized contracts providing hazardous material handling services (KPLSS II), environmental monitoring (NEMCON), laboratory support (LASSO II), medical testing for propellants used on Artemis missions, as well as operational support at U.S. Space Force ranges under SFRC agreements.
The contributions by IAM union members highlight their ongoing role in advancing space exploration efforts through hands-on expertise across manufacturing, logistics, engineering maintenance, safety protocols and more.
