Congrats Artemis II & Team
It’s an exciting time to be looking up at the night sky! We are officially in the era of the Artemis program, NASA’s ambitious mission to return humanity to the Moon. With Artemis II having recently captivated the world, the dream of humans return to the moon is closer than ever.
Whether you're a space enthusiast or just curious about why everyone is talking about the Moon again, here is a quick guide to where we’ve been and where we’re going.
Fun Lunar Facts -
- To date, only 12 people have ever stepped foot on the lunar surface.
- The last time a human walked on the Moon was in December 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission.
- So far, America remains the only country to have successfully landed humans on the Moon.
In total, only 24 people have ever made the trip to lunar orbit or the surface.
So, what about Artemis?
Just some fun facts - In Greek mythology, Artemis is the daughter of Zeus and twin sister of Apollo – (note the connection). Artemis is also the goddess of the wild animals, the hunt and wilderness and….wait for it……the moon.
Back to the science stuff-
Artemis I (The Test Run): Launched on November 16, 2022, uncrewed and lasted just over 25 days. Its job was to make sure the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft could handle the heat—literally. It validated the thermal-protection shield and critical navigation systems, proving the capsule was safe before we put people in it.
Artemis II (The Milestone):
April 1, 2026, Artemis II carried a crew of four (including the first woman, the first person of colour, and the first Canadian to leave Earth orbit). They didn't land, but they spent about 10 days orbiting the Moon, testing life-support systems and manual piloting. It was a flawless flight (apart from the loo breaking) and landing that proved we are ready for the next step.
So What Now?
- Artemis III (Target: Mid-2027): Artemis III will now be a crewed orbital test. Astronauts will practice docking with the new Human Landing Systems (like SpaceX’s Starship) in orbit to make sure the "hand-off" works perfectly before the actual landing.
- Artemis IV (Target: 2028): Currently scheduled for 2028, Artemis IV is slated to be the mission that finally returns humans to the lunar surface. We aren't just going back for a visit, either—this mission will help start the construction of the Lunar Gateway, a mini-station that will orbit the Moon!
So would you get a ticket for a once in a life time trip to the moon? I imagine it won’t be a cheap one but we can only hope these are some, to quote a legend, small steps for man, to make a big step for mankind. On to Mars and beyond.
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