NASA's Upcoming Lunar Mission: Artemis II
In February, NASA is set to launch its first crewed mission to the lunar vicinity since 1972. The mission, known as Artemis II, involves the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft. The launch, initially scheduled for February 6, will have a window open until April. The mission will see astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen journey around the Moon and return to Earth.
Notable Crew Members
- Christina Koch: An engineer and astronaut since 2013, she will become the first woman to travel to the lunar region. She has previously spent 328 consecutive days in space, participating in the first all-female spacewalks.
- Jeremy Hansen: A Canadian astronaut and former fighter pilot, he will be the first non-American to travel to the lunar region.
- Reid Wiseman: Serving as the mission commander, he was a flight engineer on the ISS during Expedition 41 in 2014.
- Victor Glover: A former US Navy pilot and astronaut since 2013, he will be the pilot for the mission.
Indian Contribution
The mission marks a significant Indian connection, with several Indian-born scientists involved. Notably, Kavya K Manyapu from Hyderabad leads the development of exploration spacesuits for the Artemis program at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre.
SLS Rocket and Orion Spacecraft
- The SLS is the only rocket capable of sending the Orion spacecraft, four astronauts, and large cargo directly to the Moon in a single launch.
- Nasa’s prime contractors for SLS include major companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.
International Collaboration
Several international space agencies are contributing to Artemis II, including the European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Mission Objectives and Significance
- Artemis II is a 10-day mission aiming to validate critical life support and re-entry systems in deep space.
- The mission is seen as a significant milestone and victory for the Donald Trump administration.
- The mission will involve more than 2,700 suppliers from 47 states contributing to the lunar spaceport at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
