The Starset SocietyBy: Rhodilee Jean Dolor
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is eyeing to send the next generation of astronauts to the moon. The ultimate goal is to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface, which will serve as a launchpad for a manned mission to planet Mars.
The Artemis Program
NASA is working on bringing humans to the moon and beyond through the Artemis program. If successful, the program will be the first to bring back humans to Earth’s natural satellite since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
Artemis is anticipated to provide the crucial learning experience and information that will help with mankind’s next giant leap—sending humans to Mars.
The program consists of a series of increasingly complex missions that will test new technologies and ultimately enable the establishment of a long-term human base on the moon and support more challenging manned missions in deep space.
Artemis I
NASA launched Artemis 1 on November 16, 2022 to conduct the first integrated flight test of its Deep Space Exploration systems, the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
Orion is a state-of-the-art vehicle designed for long-duration space exploration missions that can carry up to four astronauts to the moon, Mars and beyond. It will sustain the crew during space travel and enable their safe return to Earth.
The SLS, a super-heavy-lift rocket, is designed to launch the Orion spacecraft. It can carry equipment, science experiments and other important cargo to deep space on a single mission.
Artemis II
Artemis I will be followed by the April 2026 launch of Artemis II, the first crewed test flight of the Orion and SLS. During the 10-day mission, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, will venture around the moon to confirm that all of the systems in the Orion spacecraft will operate as intended in deep space with crews aboard.
The mission will serve as groundwork for future missions to land humans on the lunar surface.
Artemis III
By 2027, Artemis III will launch and mark mankind’s first return to the lunar surface in more than 50 years. The mission will be carried out over a period of about 30 days and bring four astronauts to lunar orbit.
Artemis III is set to make history as the mission involves sending the first humans to explore the region near the South Pole of the moon. Two astronauts will spend approximately a week conducting new science in the area before returning to lunar orbit and journey back to Earth with the rest of the crew members.
“NASA has its sights set on locations around the South Pole for the Artemis era of human lunar exploration,” NASA says. “Extreme, contrasting conditions make it a challenging location for Earthlings to land, live, and work, but the region’s unique characteristics hold promise for unprecedented deep space scientific discoveries.”
Artemis IV
Artemis IV will be a more ambitious mission. Astronauts will be sent to live and work in the first space station to orbit the moon, Gateway.
Gateway is designed to be a communication hub, science laboratory and habitation module for astronauts as it passes over the North and South Pole areas of the moon in oval-shaped orbit.
The station will host the Orion spacecraft and SpaceX’s deep space logistics spacecraft. It will be fitted with docking ports as well as provide space for astronauts to live, work and prepare for surface missions. Instruments aboard Gateway will facilitate investigations in areas such as as heliophysics, human health and life sciences.
“The mission will bring together an intricate choreography of multiple launches and spacecraft dockings in lunar orbit, and will feature the debut of NASA’s larger, more powerful version of its SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and new mobile launcher.”
Artemis V
The Artemis V mission will launch four astronauts to lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft. Two of them will fly the Blue Origin’s human landing system to land on the surface of the South Pole region, where they will stay for a week to conduct science and exploration.
“Artemis V is at the intersection of demonstrating NASA’s initial lunar exploration capabilities and establishing the foundational systems to support recurring complex missions in lunar orbit and on the surface as part of the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach.”
Bridge to Mars
NASA is planning to launch subsequent missions beyond Artemis V. The agency says the Artemis missions will fuel new industries, support job growth and bolster demand for skilled workforce.
The agency says lunar samples gathered by the Artemis missions will also advance mankind’s understanding of the history and formation of the Earth, moon and the solar system.
“We’re going back to the Moon for scientific discovery, economic benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers: the Artemis Generation,” says NASA. “While maintaining American leadership in exploration, we will build a global alliance and explore deep space for the benefit of all.”
The missions are particularly crucial to preparations for more challenging space missions, which include plans to send humans to Mars. NASA is interested in exploring the Red Planet because it is believed to be one of the places in the solar system where life may have existed.
The Artemis program will give the agency and astronauts the opportunity to practice and prepare for this mission.
“Crew will stay on the surface and in lunar orbit for longer periods of time. We need a better understanding of what resources are accessible on the Moon today to support that exploration and what technologies work to process those resources,” NASA says. Demonstrating this on the Moon will help us get us ready for missions farther into the solar system, including Mars.”
NASA aims to send humans to Mars as early as 2035.
