By: Mira Kirshnan
To Be Updated …
The Artemis missions aren’t just about landing on the Moon, they’re also about learning how to stay there, and go farther. Artemis will be the second time we set foot on the moon since the Apollo missions in 1961, and it will not only be vital for gaining scientific knowledge but will also help us in understanding our universe more. While Apollo was one of mankind’s greatest achievements, Artemis is sure to give us even greater results, considering how much more developed our technology has become over the years.
Firstly, the main difference is the size of the capsule in the spacecraft and the amount of personnel. Apollo’s space capsule only had room for three astronauts, while Artemis has room for four, allowing us to conduct more productive research on the moon. The capsule will also be approximately 110 cubic feet larger than the Apollo capsules.
Another way that Artemis trumps Apollo is that their rocket is far more advanced. The Space Launch System (SLS) is the most powerful rocket that has been created so far. It is currently the only rocket able to launch the Orion spacecraft, four astronauts and heavy supplies out of Earth’s atmosphere! The rocket is made up of a core with four RS-25 boosters attached to it. As of this month, the SLS for the Artemis II mission has just completed its rollout to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center, preparing for the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years!
As we know, Apollo safely carried humans to the Moon and back. But what if we could go even farther? Artemis aims to use this launch as a teaser of sorts, with the end goal being to find a way to send humans to Mars. Developing sustainable technology on the Moon is the strategic prerequisite to Mars, ensuring that all angles are accounted for. By mastering lunar survival and exploration today, NASA is paving the way for the first human footprints on the Red Planet in the next decade, or even as soon as 2030!
So, who are the lucky astronauts who get to go to the moon? NASA has appointed Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman, and Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen to fly out. Christina Koch will be the first woman ever to leave Earth’s orbit, paving the way for more women to follow in her steps! Victor Grover will be the first black man to travel to the Moon, serving as the pilot for the missions. Reid Wiseman will serve as the commander, and as a former Chief in the Astronaut Office and veteran astronaut in the International Space Station, he is certainly more than qualified! Lastly, Jeremy Hansen is the mission specialist and can’t wait to be the first Canadian to the Moon!
SOURCES:
https://www.nasa.gov/reference/space-launch-system
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis
https://spacecenter.org/artemis-i-how-does-artemis-compare-to-apollo
https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/the-mix/jeremy-hansen-pumped-about-historic-trip-around-the-moon-11754692
https://www.nasa.gov/people/christina-koch