NASA is gearing up for an exciting new adventure: returning to the Moon! It’s been 50 years since Neil Armstrong took that famous first step on the lunar surface, saying, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Since the last Apollo mission in 1972, lunar exploration has been on pause. But in 2019, NASA announced plans to head back to the Moon with a new mission called Artemis, named after the Greek goddess of the Moon and Apollo’s twin sister. The goal is to send the first woman and man to the Moon’s south pole by 2024.
Getting to the Moon by 2024 is a big challenge and requires a lot of money. The Artemis mission is expected to cost between 20 to 30 billion dollars over five years. To speed things up, the White House has asked for an extra 1.6 billion dollars, but this still needs approval. Despite the high costs, NASA is making progress. In early July, they successfully tested the Orion capsule, which is a key part of the mission.
The Orion spacecraft is designed to carry astronauts beyond Earth’s orbit. It has three main parts: a launch abort system for safety, a crew module for astronauts, and a service module that provides life support and energy. Making sure these parts work well is crucial for keeping astronauts safe. On July 2, 2019, the Orion test spacecraft passed a full stress test of its launch abort system.
To reach deep space, the Orion capsule will be launched on the Space Launch System (SLS), a powerful rocket currently being developed. The SLS will carry Orion to the Moon and even Mars in the future. It will have different configurations for various missions, starting with Block 1 for an uncrewed mission beyond the Moon, followed by Block 1B for a manned cargo mission, and Block 2 for deep space missions.
The Artemis 1 mission will be the first test flight of the SLS, combined with the Orion spacecraft. The SLS Block 1 will be about 98 meters tall and weigh around 2,600 metric tons, generating more power than the Saturn V rocket. It can carry over 26 metric tons of cargo beyond the Moon, with future upgrades aiming for at least 45 metric tons.
The Gateway is a crucial part of the mission, acting as a small space station orbiting the Moon. Located about 400,000 km from Earth, it will allow the Orion spacecraft to dock and serve as a base for astronauts to conduct experiments and get used to living in deep space. Astronauts are expected to visit the Gateway at least once a year for up to three months. Unlike the large International Space Station, the Gateway will be more compact, similar to a small studio apartment.
To explore the Moon’s surface, astronauts will use a reusable lunar landing system. NASA is working with commercial companies to develop this system, which will include components for descent, ascent, transfer, refueling, and surface suits. Plans for building the Gateway are already underway, with NASA aiming to send large parts of it for automatic assembly over about six rocket launches.
The Gateway is expected to be completed by 2024. The unmanned Artemis 1 mission is planned to launch before 2021 and will last about three weeks. The first manned mission, Artemis 2, is set for 2022, where astronauts will orbit the Moon before returning to Earth. Finally, in 2024, NASA plans to land astronauts on the Moon’s South Pole with Artemis 3, marking the first lunar landing in over 50 years.
The Artemis program is not just about exploring the Moon. It’s also about understanding how humans can live in deep space, which is essential for future missions. The ultimate goal is to establish a lunar colony by 2028, paving the way for a manned mission to Mars.
If you’re interested in upcoming space launches, let us know! And if you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out Discovery’s “Confessions from Space: Apollo” airing tonight. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more exciting space news!
Research the history of lunar exploration, starting from the Apollo missions up to the current Artemis program. Create a timeline that highlights key events and milestones. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually engaging. This will help you understand the progression and advancements in lunar exploration over the years.
Imagine you are leading a mission to the Moon. Design a mission plan that includes objectives, the spacecraft you’ll use, and the experiments you’ll conduct. Present your mission to the class, explaining how it contributes to our understanding of the Moon and future space exploration. This activity encourages creativity and application of the concepts you’ve learned.
Using materials like cardboard, plastic bottles, and other recyclables, build a model of the Orion spacecraft. Focus on its three main parts: the launch abort system, crew module, and service module. This hands-on activity will help you visualize and understand the spacecraft’s design and function.
Participate in a class debate on the costs and benefits of space exploration. Research the financial aspects of the Artemis mission and discuss whether the investment is justified. This will help you develop critical thinking skills and understand the economic implications of space exploration.
Use online tools and virtual reality apps to explore the Moon’s surface. Identify key features such as craters, mountains, and the proposed landing sites for the Artemis missions. This activity will give you a better understanding of the lunar environment and the challenges astronauts face.
NASA is heading back to the Moon, aiming for a longer stay this time. It’s been 50 years since Neil Armstrong made his historic step and uttered the words that changed the course of space exploration: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Since the last Apollo mission in 1972, lunar exploration has been on hold until recently. In 2019, NASA announced plans to return to the Moon, with the goal of sending the first woman and man to the Moon’s south pole by 2024. This lunar program has been named Artemis, after the Greek goddess of the Moon and Apollo’s twin sister.
Reaching the Moon by 2024 is an ambitious timeline and relies heavily on funding. The Artemis mission is estimated to cost between twenty to thirty billion dollars over the next five years. To expedite the effort, the White House has requested an additional 1.6 billion dollars, though this is still pending confirmation. Despite the costs, NASA is making progress, as evidenced by the successful test of the Orion capsule in early July.
The Orion spacecraft is designed to carry crew members beyond low-Earth orbit and consists of three main components: a launch abort system (LAS) for safety during launch, a crew module for astronauts, and a service module that provides life support and energy. Ensuring the functionality of these components is crucial for astronaut safety. On July 2, 2019, the Orion test spacecraft successfully passed a full stress test of its launch abort system.
To reach deep space, the Orion capsule will be launched aboard the Space Launch System (SLS), a rocket currently under development. The SLS is designed to carry Orion into deep space, with missions planned for both the Moon and Mars. The SLS will have multiple configurations for its missions, starting with the Block 1 for an uncrewed mission beyond the Moon, followed by the Block 1B for a manned cargo mission, and the Block 2 crew configuration, which will support various deep space missions.
The Artemis 1 mission will mark the first test flight of the SLS, integrating it with the Orion spacecraft. The SLS Block 1 will stand at approximately 98 meters tall and weigh around 2,600 metric tons, generating 39,144 kilonewtons of thrust at liftoff—about 15 percent more power than the Saturn V rocket. It will be capable of carrying over 26 metric tons of cargo to orbits beyond the Moon, with future upgrades aiming for at least 45 metric tons.
The final piece of the puzzle is the deep space outpost known as the Gateway, which will be essential for landing astronauts on the lunar surface. Located about 400,000 km from Earth, the Gateway will serve as a small space station orbiting the Moon, allowing the Orion spacecraft to dock and providing a base for astronauts to conduct scientific experiments and acclimate to deep space living. Crew members are expected to visit the Gateway at least once a year for up to three months at a time. Unlike the International Space Station, which is quite large, the Gateway will be more compact, similar in size to a small studio apartment.
To explore the lunar surface, astronauts will use a reusable lunar landing system, which NASA is looking to the commercial sector to develop. This system will need to include components for descent, ascent, transfer, refueling, and surface suits. Plans for constructing the Gateway are already in motion, with NASA aiming to send large portions of the structure for automatic assembly across approximately six rocket launches.
As for the timeline, the Gateway is expected to be completed in 2024. The unmanned test mission, Artemis 1, is anticipated to launch before 2021 and last about three weeks. The first manned mission, Artemis 2, is set for 2022, orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth. Finally, in 2024, NASA plans to return to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years with Artemis 3, delivering astronauts to the Moon’s South Pole.
The Artemis program is not only significant for lunar exploration but also for studying how the human body responds to life in deep space, paving the way for future exploration. Ultimately, the program aims to establish a lunar colony by 2028, serving as a crucial stepping stone for a manned mission to Mars.
If there are specific upcoming launches you’d like us to cover, let us know in the comments. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to tune in to Discovery’s “Confessions from Space: Apollo” airing tonight.
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Moon – The natural satellite of Earth, visible by reflected light from the Sun. – The phases of the Moon are caused by its orbit around Earth, changing how much of its surface is illuminated by the Sun.
Artemis – A NASA program aimed at returning humans to the Moon and exploring more of its surface. – The Artemis program plans to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by the mid-2020s.
Astronauts – Trained individuals who travel and work in space. – The astronauts aboard the International Space Station conduct experiments that help us understand life in space.
Spacecraft – A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space. – The spacecraft was equipped with advanced technology to study the atmosphere of Mars.
Launch – The act of sending a spacecraft into space. – The launch of the new satellite was successful, and it is now orbiting Earth.
Exploration – The investigation of unknown regions, especially in space. – Space exploration has led to many discoveries about our solar system and beyond.
Gateway – A space station that serves as a staging point for missions to the Moon and beyond. – The Lunar Gateway will orbit the Moon and support future missions to its surface.
Surface – The outermost layer or boundary of an object, such as a planet or moon. – The rover sent back images of the rocky surface of Mars, revealing new geological features.
Mission – A specific task or operation assigned to a spacecraft or astronauts. – The mission to study Jupiter’s moons will provide valuable data about their composition and potential for life.
Deep – Referring to regions of space that are far from Earth. – Deep space missions require advanced technology to communicate over vast distances.
