In the not-too-distant future, humanity will once again journey to the moon. But this time, the mission won’t be a simple visit. Instead, the goal is to establish a sustainable presence in our nearest celestial neighbor. Got your attention? Stay with us to know more about Artemis II Mission’s Schedule and the four Astronauts.
NASA is moving quickly towards returning humans to the moon after the success of Artemis 1. The agency has even announced the four astronauts for Artemis 2 on April 3.
What is the Artemis II Mission?
Artemis II is a crewed mission to the moon that is currently scheduled for launch in 2024. The mission is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back to the moon. And eventually, establish a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.
- The agency aims to inspire youth, ensure the sustainability of the Artemis program, and promote international collaboration for upcoming missions
- So what can we expect from Artemis II? Well, for starters, the mission will be a major milestone in human spaceflight. It will be the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, over 50 years ago.
Artemis II Mission Schedule + When will it launch?
The catch is that the four astronauts aboard this mission, Artemis II, will not land on the moon. Instead, they will complete a 10-day journey around it before returning to Earth. This mission is planned for late 2024.
During those 10 days, they will conduct a variety of experiments and test out equipment that will be crucial for future lunar missions.
The mission will conclude with the Orion spacecraft splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California. Where the U.S. Navy and NASA teams will be ready to recover the crew and spacecraft.
How valuable will this mission be for the future of humanity?
- The most exciting part of the Artemis II mission is the fact that it will pave the way for future missions to the moon and beyond.
- The data and experience gathered during this mission will be invaluable for developing the technology and techniques. Which will be necessary for establishing a permanent human presence on the lunar surface.
Who are the Astronauts in the Artemis II Mission?
On Monday, April 2, 2023, NASA announced the four astronauts for a lunar mission scheduled late next year. This includes the first woman and the first African American assigned to a lunar mission.
This is the first moon crew in 50 years, consisting of three Americans and one Canadian. These four brave astronauts who will be at the forefront of this historic mission are:
- Reid Wiseman
- Wiseman will be the commander of the mission, a naval aviator, and a test pilot.
- During his previous mission to the International Space Station, he spent 165 days in space and completed a record-breaking 82 hours of experiments in a week.
- He was also the Chief of the U.S. Astronaut Office from 2020 to 2023.
- Victor Glover
- Glover was selected for the astronaut corps in 2013 after flying over 3,000 hours in more than 40 different aircraft.
- Christina Koch
- The lone woman on the crew is mission specialist Christina Hammock Koch.
- Across three ISS expeditions, she has spent 328 days in space, surpassing the record for the most time spent in space by any other woman.
- Jeremy Hansen
- The crew will be rounded out by a Canadian, Jeremy Hansen.
- Despite being new to spaceflight, he has participated in space simulations like NEEMO 19, where he lived in a facility on the ocean floor to replicate deep space exploration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Artemis II mission represents an exciting new chapter in human spaceflight. It will not only mark the return of humans to the moon, but it will also lay the foundation for a long-term human presence on the lunar surface.
That’s everything to know about Artemis II Mission Schedule and its Astronauts. What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments down below.
Source: NASA
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