After an interval spanning over fifty years, NASA has selected a team of astronauts set to embark on a journey to the moon with Artemis 2.
Since the amazing Apollo 17 mission in 1972, we haven’t had the chance to explore beyond just a few hundred miles from Earth. But with Artemis leading the way, we’re getting ready to create a new chapter of moon exploration.
And guess what? NASA’s big dream is to guide us towards Mars too! And as these intrepid astronauts set foot on the moon, they’re not just exploring – they’re also gathering important insights that could help us unravel the mysteries of our solar system’s formation.
Let’s dive into Artemis 2 and get key pint about the mission:
What is Artemis 2 Mission?
Artemis 2 marks the second anticipated flight within the Artemis program, heralding the debut of a crewed mission under its banner. The forthcoming voyage will comprise a trio of NASA astronauts, accompanied by a representative from the Canadian Space Agency.
The team roster features NASA’s adept commander Reid Wiseman, skilled pilot Victor Glover, accomplished mission specialist Christina Koch, and CSA’s own mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. Their mission objective: to circumnavigate the moon prior to their safe return to Earth. The mission, slated to span approximately 10 days, is provisionally scheduled for liftoff in November 2024.
Artemis 2’s strategic plan involves harnessing the colossal potential of the Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket in tandem with the Orion spacecraft to facilitate the lunar flyby mission. This multifaceted undertaking seeks to amass invaluable data about the Orion spacecraft and the team’s performance, thereby gauging the Artemis program’s preparedness for the eventual endeavor of sending astronauts to the moon’s rugged terrain.
Artemis 2 Launch Date
As of now, the anticipated launch date for Artemis 2 stands tentatively at November 2024. However, this timeline is contingent upon the state of readiness for several crucial components.
The success of the crewed Artemis 2 mission hinges on the introduction of innovative spacesuits designed to withstand the challenges posed by the cislunar environment.
This realm presents elevated radiation levels compared to the protective cocoon of low Earth orbit where astronauts benefit from enhanced shielding. In a significant stride, Axiom Space unveiled a prototype spacesuit in March 2023, tailored to these demanding conditions. However, substantial progress updates regarding its development have yet to emerge from Axiom Space.
Artemis 2 crew
On April 3, 2023, the Artemis 2 crew was introduced at a gathering held at Ellington Field. This location serves as NASA’s hub for aircraft operations and is situated close to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The four astronauts who will be flying around the moon in about a year got to see the spacecraft they’ll be using for the first time.
The four astronauts are:
Reid Wiseman (NASA commander): Wiseman, a skilled aviator from the U.S. Navy, served as a test pilot and project officer at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland before being chosen by NASA in 2009. The upcoming Artemis 2 mission will be his second space voyage. Wiseman previously spent 165 days in space during Expedition 41, a mission to the International Space Station from May to November 2014.
Victor Glover (NASA Pilot): Glover is set to make history as the first Black astronaut to journey around the moon. Prior to this, he served as a Navy aviator, flying aircraft in various regions including the U.S., Italy, Japan, and the Middle East. Selected by NASA in 2013, Artemis 2 marks his second space mission. In his initial spaceflight, he took on the role of pilot during SpaceX’s Crew-1 capsule’s launch on November 15, 2020.
This mission, Crew-1, held the distinction of being the inaugural operational commercial crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Christina Koch (NASA mission specialist): Koch brings a scientific and engineering background to the team, with prior roles at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, contributing to various missions. Additionally, she gained hands-on experience in Antarctica, serving at both the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and Palmer Station.
Her selection by NASA took place in 2013. During her previous mission, Koch achieved an impressive record by spending 328 days in space aboard the ISS. Notably, she took part in the historic milestone of the first all-female spacewalk.
Jeremy Hansen (CSA astronaut): Hansen’s background encompasses being a fighter pilot within the Royal Canadian Air Force, and his previous endeavors include contributions to NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and Arctic operations. Chosen by the CSA in 2009, he has yet to embark on a space mission due to Canada’s limited role in space endeavors. Nevertheless, Hansen possesses substantial space-related experience, particularly in challenging environments, and has held notable leadership roles.
His impressive achievements include coordinating the training schedules of the entire 2017 astronaut class, comprising both Canadian and American members—a significant milestone for Canada. Hansen has also provided counsel to Canadian politicians and policymakers regarding the nation’s space initiatives. Additionally, he orchestrated the intricate spacewalk sequence for the extensive refurbishment of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer instrument aboard the ISS.
What Artemis 2 will Do?
Artemis 2 is a significant step in testing the SLS and Orion spacecraft systems with humans on board. The mission’s focus is on meeting four main readiness goals, as outlined by the Canadian Space Agency: mission planning, system performance, crew interfaces, and guidance and navigation systems.
For the mission route, Orion will follow a specific path around Earth called a “hybrid free return” orbit. During this, the spacecraft will circle the Earth twice to gather speed for its journey towards the moon. Afterward, Orion will swing around the moon following a “free-return trajectory,” ensuring a direct route back to our planet for a safe return, as described by NASA.
What Next After Artemis 2?
Those involved in the Artemis 2 project will spend several months at the very least analyzing gathered data. The subsequent mission, known as Artemis 3, aims to achieve a lunar landing in 2025, assuming everything proceeds according to plan.
However, NASA’s Office of the Inspector General has expressed doubt regarding this timeline. Delays have arisen in the preparation of the human landing system, which will utilize SpaceX’s Starship, due to both technical and legal factors. Furthermore, there were setbacks in the development of the spacesuits NASA was crafting, prompting the agency to turn to commercial suppliers for assistance.
The Starship project has faced diverse developmental hurdles, such as obtaining environmental permits and a setback during its inaugural space launch in April 2023. Although SpaceX is committed to a swift Starship relaunch, obtaining approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and accounting for other variables might potentially postpone the Artemis 3 lunar landing until at least 2026.
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