NASA has announced that the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972, named “Artemis 2,” is scheduled to launch on February 6th. This mission paves the way for a future that includes landing on the lunar surface and establishing a permanent human presence there.
This mission will include four astronauts: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch from NASA, as well as Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. Their journey around the Moon will last ten days, but will not include landing on its surface.
NASA explained that the available launch window begins on January 31st and extends until February 14th. Potential alternative dates are February 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th, in addition to other dates in March and April if the launch is delayed in February. The choice of launch day depends on precise factors related to the flight orbit and rocket performance, as well as weather conditions at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The “Orion” spacecraft will launch aboard the powerful SLS rocket from Cape Canaveral, and will orbit the Earth several times to assess life support systems, before heading towards the Moon and flying close to it. It will use the Moon’s gravity to assist in a safe return to Earth without the need to activate additional engines.
This mission is considered a crucial test of the rocket, spacecraft, and its systems, in preparation for the “Artemis 3” mission planned for 2027, which will be the first human landing on the Moon as part of the “Artemis” program. (Russia Today)
