NASA expects to start a mission to the moon in February 2022 – 10/23/2021 – Science

NASA announced Friday (22) that it will attempt to launch its manned Artemis 1 mission in February, the first phase of the US plan. To bring humans back to the moon.

This crucial mission, which will mark the beginning of the Artemis programme, is tentatively planned for the end of the year, and US space agency He had hoped to be able to do this with astronauts in 2024, in Artemis 3. However, the schedule was delayed.

a NASA has reached an important milestone Wednesday, by docking the Orion crew capsule with its massive Space Launch System vehicle, now 98 meters high, inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

After conducting several tests, it will be moved to the launch pad for testing in late January, with the first commissioning in February, officials told reporters.

“The February launch period begins on the 12th and our last chance will be in February on the 27th,” confirmed Mike Sarafin, Artemis 1: Mission Chief.

The next windows will be in March and April. These possible launch periods depend on the mechanics of the orbits and the relative position of the Earth in relation to its natural moon.

The mission is expected to last four to six weeks. A series of small satellites, known as CubeSats, will also take off for experiments and technical demonstrations.

While its delay is likely, Artemis 2 is technically scheduled for 2023 and Artemis 3 for 2024, marking humanity’s return to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

According to NASA, she will be the first woman and first person of color to make the trip among the astronauts bound for the Moon. The US space agency seeks to create a A permanent presence on the moon And use lessons learned to plan a trip. Manned to Mars in the 1930s.