Will NASA Launch Its First Crewed Moon Mission in 50 Years This February?

The Artemis II mission, planned by NASA for February 2024, aims to send astronauts on a ten-day journey around the Moon as a precursor to a lunar landing. This will be the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration and setting the stage for future missions, including Artemis III, which targets a landing as early as 2027.

Last updated: 24 October 2023 (BST)

Key Takeaways

• The Artemis II mission is slated for February 2024, featuring a crewed trip around the Moon.
• This will be the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.
• The mission aims to test systems for future lunar landings, including Artemis III.
• The crew will consist of four astronauts from NASA and the Canadian Space Agency.
• NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will power the Orion capsule for the mission.

The Historic Artemis II Mission

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to be a landmark event in space exploration history, as it will see astronauts venture beyond low Earth orbit for the first time since the Apollo programme. Scheduled for launch in February 2024, the mission aims to conduct a ten-day round trip around the Moon, providing essential data and experience for future lunar landings.

Understanding Artemis II and Its Objectives

The Artemis programme, initiated by NASA, seeks to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence there. Artemis II is the second mission in this ambitious programme, following the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission in November 2022. This previous mission involved the Orion spacecraft orbiting the Moon and safely re-entering Earth's atmosphere, paving the way for Artemis II.

Mission Crew and Their Roles

The Artemis II crew will consist of four astronauts:

• Reid Wiseman (NASA)
• Victor Glover (NASA)
• Christina Koch (NASA)
• Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency)

While the crew will not land on the Moon, they will be the first humans to travel beyond low Earth orbit since the final Apollo mission, Apollo 17, in 1972. Their mission is to test the spacecraft and rocket systems, ensuring everything operates effectively for future lunar landings.

What to Expect on the Journey

During the mission, the astronauts will live in the Orion capsule, which will be launched atop the powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This rocket, the most powerful ever built, will propel the spacecraft into Earth orbit before executing a Translunar Injection (TLI) burn to set course for the Moon. The journey will cover over 230,000 miles, with the crew conducting various systems checks throughout.

Scientific Experiments and Health Monitoring

As part of the mission, the astronauts will also serve as subjects for scientific research. Experiments will monitor the effects of microgravity and radiation on their bodies. NASA plans to grow tissue samples, known as organoids, from the astronauts' blood before and after their journey. This will help scientists study the physiological impacts of space travel without the need to conduct invasive procedures on the astronauts themselves.

Key Challenges Ahead

While the Artemis II mission represents a significant step forward, it is not without its challenges. The success of this mission will directly affect the timeline for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon. However, experts caution that the timeline for Artemis III could be overly optimistic, with some suggesting that even a perfect Artemis II mission may not guarantee a lunar landing by mid-2027.

The Path to Artemis III

NASA's plans for Artemis III depend heavily on the success of Artemis II. Should the mission validate the systems and technologies in place, it could lead to a more concrete timeline for future lunar landings. However, the complexities of space travel, including the reliance on SpaceX's Starship for lunar landings, introduce uncertainties. Recent delays and challenges faced by the Starship programme could further complicate the timeline.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Lunar Exploration

The Artemis programme is not just about returning to the Moon; it is also about laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars and beyond. NASA's commitment to establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon is vital for testing technologies and systems that will eventually be used for deeper space exploration.

Conclusion

The Artemis II mission represents a pivotal moment in the future of human space exploration. As NASA prepares to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over half a century, the world watches with anticipation. This mission could unlock new possibilities for scientific discovery and pave the way for humanity's next giant leap into the cosmos. What are your thoughts on the potential for human exploration beyond the Moon? Will we see a sustainable presence on the lunar surface in our lifetime? #ArtemisII #SpaceExploration #NASA

FAQs

What is the Artemis II mission?

The Artemis II mission is NASA's upcoming crewed mission set to launch in February 2024, aiming to send astronauts on a ten-day trip around the Moon to test systems for future lunar landings.

Who are the astronauts participating in Artemis II?

The crew for Artemis II includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.

What is the main goal of the Artemis II mission?

The primary goal of Artemis II is to test the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket systems in preparation for future lunar landings, particularly Artemis III.

When was the last crewed lunar mission?

The last crewed lunar mission was Apollo 17, which took place in December 1972. Artemis II will mark the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since then.

What challenges does NASA face for the Artemis programme?

NASA faces several challenges, including the technical complexities of the SLS and Orion systems, reliance on SpaceX's Starship for lunar landings, and managing timelines and costs associated with the Artemis programme.